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Small Craft Operator

Department of the Army
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
New York Operations Division, Albany Field Office, Operations and Maintenance Section
This job announcement has closed

Summary

About the Position: Serves as First Mate of a floating plant consisting of at least an 800 hp diesel tug, 45' in length, secured by cables to a 40x90' sectional barge system carrying a 40-ton mobile hydraulic crane. The floating plant, which operates as a single unit approximately 135' in length, is primarily engaged in channel clearing operations on the Hudson River and the Narrows of Lake Champlain channels but also performs various maintenance activities at the Troy Lock and Dam.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
08/07/2025 to 08/18/2025
Salary
$42.28 to - $49.34 per hour
Pay scale & grade
XH 9
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Troy, NY
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel up to 10% for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
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
Yes
Announcement number
CERD256467607042
Control number
842678600

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Duties

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  • Operates in wide ranging weather conditions to include reduced visibility from heavy rain, fog, and snow as well as on water ways with minor ice cover.
  • Plans and plots the navigational routes/courses to be followed, uses state of the art electronic navigational and operating equipment.
  • Safely and properly operates all survey ancillary motorized and non-motorized equipment in tight areas, currents, rough offroad terrain, various weather conditions, on land and in open water.
  • Navigates both rivers and harbors, as well as offshore, often with no marked locations or visual reference points.
  • Steers boat alongside of moving plant or craft, steers vessel by operating controls in pilot house requiring ability to maneuver the boat in all kinds of weather and at times.
  • Interprets pertinent safety and vessel regulations and requirements so as not to jeopardize the safety and wellbeing of crew and passengers while still being able to accomplish the missions.
  • Oversees vessel crew docking and undocking, tying up to and maneuvering small barges and other work platforms as an assist vessel.
  • Applies knowledge of navigation rules and regulations of the Coast Guard governing motorboats and collision regulations.
  • Maintains, troubleshoots, and performs minor repairs on vessel systems.

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.
  • This position requires possession of a current, valid USCG Master of Self-Propelled Vessels Not Including Auxiliary Sail of Less Than 50 Gross Register Tons (GRT) Upon Inland Waters, within 2 years of appointment.
  • This position is subject to a pre-employment drug 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 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.
  • The duties of this position require the incumbent to possess or obtain and maintain a valid state Driver's License in one of the 50 U.S. states or possessions to operate vehicles.
  • This position has a requirement to lift up to 50 lbs. in the regular performance of duties.
  • 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 up to 10% of the time.

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.

  • 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
  • Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan
  • Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act
  • Military Spouses, under Executive Order (E.O.) 13473
  • Non-Department of Defense (DoD) Transfer
  • 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
  • Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) of 1998


In order to qualify, you must meet the experience requirements described below. 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. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

Minimum Qualifications: Ability to do the work of a Small Craft Operator without more than normal supervision which includes: operation, navigation, maintenance, and surveys of vessels on and offshore, engine repair, and towing of small crafts and perform inspections and surveys.

To meet the basic eligibility, you must receive at least two points on the screen-out element indicated above and must have an average of two points on all the job elements listed below. Your application will be further evaluated to determine if you meet the best qualified cut-off for referral to the selecting official. 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 Do the Work of the Position without More Than Normal Supervision
  • Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (Related to Mobile Equipment Operation)
  • Ability to Operate Safely (Non-motor Vehicles)
  • Ability to Work with Others
  • Knowledge of Specific Equipment, Machinery, Structure, or Components That Are Involved

Education

Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted.

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 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.

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.

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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