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Assistant Master Hopper Dredge

Department of the Army
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Navigation Division, Portland Oregon
This job announcement has closed

Summary

About the Position: This position is aboard a hopper dredge. The Portland District's hopper dredges Yaquina and Essayons, work to ensure a safe "highway" for ships and other vessels. The hopper dredge is a specialized sea-going vessel designed to dredge and transport dredged material from ocean bars, fast flowing rivers and isolated harbors to open-water disposal areas.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
08/01/2025 to 08/12/2025
Salary
$65.54 to - $65.54 per hour
Pay scale & grade
WJ 14
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Portland, OR
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
76% or greater - This position is aboard a dredging vessel, travel on the vessel is required (during dredging season). Schedules generally run 15 days on and 13 days off, with 1 rotation of 8 days on and 6 days off in January each year.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
CERH259383896484
Control number
842346800

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Duties

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  • Proper maintenance, operation, administration, navigation and safety of the vessel.
  • Plan, supervise and direct all operations, maintenance, navigation and safety of the vessel and crew in all departments under the Master.
  • Instructing subordinate deck officers as to the areas to be dredged, economic loading cycle to be maintained, and other such pertinent information regarding the dredging operations.
  • Ensure that work is performed and reported in accordance with the Manual of Instructions.
  • Training subordinate deck officers in current and potential aspects of their positions.
  • Maintaining proper morale and discipline of the entire crew.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
  • Appointment to this position is subject to a one year probationary period unless the appointee has previously met the requirements as described in 5 CFR Part 315. While probationary the incumbent can be terminated with limited appeal rights.
  • This position has a Temporary Duty (TDY) or business travel requirement of 95% of the time.
  • This position is supervisory as defined by the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) General Schedule Supervisory Guide (GSSG). A one year probation to assess your ability to perform supervisory duties is required unless previously completed.
  • This position requires the completion of a pre-employment Physical Examination and an annual examination thereafter to ensure the continued, required level of physical health and ability or fitness to perform the duties of the position
  • This position is subject to a pre-employment screening, and random testing thereafter, to include testing based on reasonable suspicion and testing due to direct involvement with an on-duty accident.
  • This position has a requirement to lift up to 45 lbs. in the regular performance of duties.
  • You MUST possess a current United States Coast Guard (USCG) Merchant Mariners Credentials (MMC) with a Master Unlimited Oceans endorsement AND a current Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC)

Qualifications

Who May Apply: Only applicants who meet one of the employment authority categories below are eligible to apply for this job. You will be asked to identify which category or categories you meet, and to provide documents which prove you meet the category or categories you selected. See Proof of Eligibility for an extensive list of document requirements for all employment authorities.



  • 30 Percent or More Disabled Veterans
  • Current Department of Army Civilian Employees
  • Current Department of Defense (DOD) Civilian Employee (non-Army)
  • Domestic Defense Industrial Base/Major Range and Test Facilities Base Civilian Personnel Workforce
  • Executive Order (E.O.) 12721
  • Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan
  • Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act
  • Military Spouses, under Executive Order (E.O.) 13473
  • Non-Appropriated Fund Instrumentality (NAFI)
  • Non-Department of Defense (DoD) Transfer
  • Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Interchange Agreement Eligible
  • People with Disabilities, Schedule A
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD MR and NG Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability Retirement
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Preference Eligible
  • Reinstatement
  • Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) of 1998



Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

There is no specific length of training or experience required. However, you must be able to demonstrate, through experience shown in your written application materials that you possess the sufficient knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the work of this position without more than normal supervision.


Minimum Qualifications (Screen Out Element): Ability to do the work of a(n) Assistant Master Hopper Dredge without more than normal supervision. You must possess a current U.S. Coast Guard License for Master, Unlimited Tonnage, Oceans, or higher and a current Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC). Failure to meet this Screen Out Element will result in an ineligible rating.



You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency in the following areas:
  • Ability To Lead or Supervise
  • Dexterity and Safety
  • Maintenance Practices on Seagoing Vessels
  • Technical Competence
  • Vessel Operations
  • WORKING CONDITIONS Spends most of the time on the bridge or in the office. Occasionally is exposed to weather conditions, heat, and noise when making inspection tours. There is danger from traffic hazards, particularly in foggy weather and at night. There is danger of slippery decks and drowning. Must wear appropriate personal protective equipment as required.
  • PHYSICAL EFFORT Light to moderate effort is required for continuous standing and operation of various controls while on watch. Incumbent must have color and depth perception and be able to see in low visibility conditions in order to navigate a dredge. Lifts and carries equipment up to 45 pounds and occasionally over 45 pounds. Work requires prolonged standing, walking, sitting and climbing, all of which can cause exertion of the lower back. The employee must maintain good lower back physical condition. Incumbent must possess color and depth perception and be able to see by low visibility conditions in order to perform duties.

Additional information

  • Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
  • You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
  • One year trial/probationary period may be required.
  • Direct deposit of pay is required.
  • Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
  • If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
  • This is a(n) Transportation and Distribution Management Career Field position.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
  • Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
  • Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest.
  • You MUST UPLOAD your USCG Credentials or you may be rated ineligible.
  • INCLUDE REQUIRED US Coast Guard Documentation in your application package.
  • Defense National Relocation Program (DNRP) is not authorized.
  • The following incentives may be authorized to a highly qualified candidate: Recruitment, Relocation, and/or Advanced Leave Accrual.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

You should list any relevant performance appraisals and incentive awards in your resume as that information may be taken into consideration during the selection process. If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation.

You may claim Military Spouse preference.


You may claim Priority Placement Program (PPP) preference.


Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). If you are a Federal employee in the competitive service and your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority for this position. To receive selection priority, you must: (1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria (2) be rated well-qualified for the position and; (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. To be considered well-qualified and receive selection priority applicants must satisfy all qualification requirements for the position and receive a score of 90 or above. Additional information about the program is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website.

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