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Small Craft Operator

Department of the Army
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
USACE NEW ENGLAND, OEPRATIONS, CAPE COD CANAL

Summary

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel of the DOD to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.

About the Position: The Cape Cod Canal Project includes 7 recreational areas, a visitor's center and 3 bridges. This position will provide a wide variety of Small Craft Operator duties in support of the Cape Cod Canal Field Office, the New Bedford and Fox Point hurricane barriers.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
12/10/2025 to 12/24/2025
Salary
$34.97 to - $40.86 per hour
Pay scale & grade
XH 6
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Buzzards Bay, MA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
CEDA-26-12846424-DHA-R
Control number
852099200

Videos

Duties

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  • Perform as an assistant Operator on one of four Patrol Boats less than 65 feet in length and 450 to 950 Horsepower to transport personnel to and from work sites and various inspection trips in the Canal and adjacent waters.
  • Assist recreational and small craft when they become disabled while transiting the Canal.
  • Seek compliance with, and enforces Canal rules and regulations such as speed limits, wake control, vessels fishing, etc.
  • Use a variety of electrical nautical instruments such as, vhf marine radio, compass and GPS to navigate marine water safely.
  • Assist in keeping Patrol Boats in good operating condition, performing preventative maintenance, minor repairs, cleaning, chipping and painting, daily engine room and vessel maintenance.
  • Operate a radio telephone in communications with the Marine Traffic Controller in relaying traffic information, weather conditions and status of emergency operations which may arise.
  • Directs, as needed, a Deckhand in handling lines in boat operations, obtaining and recording traffic statistics and in the preparation of reports
  • Lay out courses, to assign destinations, avoiding shoals and other hazards, and using navigational aids, landmarks.

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.
  • Incumbent is subject to call back duty during emergency situations Emergencies involve, but are not limited to, assisting, as needed, vessels, which have either lost power, steerage or have grounded while transiting the Canal.
  • Incumbent must be willing to work in inclement weather such as heat, cold, wind, rain or snow.
  • Incumbent must be willing to work weekends, holidays, nights, and uncommon tours of duty for extended long periods of time.
  • This position requires successfully passing a pre-employment drug test.
  • Pre-employment physical required.
  • Lift up to 50 pounds.
  • Relocation/Recruitment/Retention Incentives are NOT authorized.
  • PCS/Moving Expenses are NOT authorized.
  • This position requires a Towing Endorsement and Radar Observer Unlimited Certification in current active status, within six months of employment.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

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) Small Craft Operator ~ without more than normal supervision. Independently perform full range of operating a gasoline or diesel propelled vessel less than 65 feet in length in areas with large amounts of water-borne traffic; explain and enforce safety regulations to all on-board personnel; maintain boat in good operating condition to include splicing, renewing, and caring for lines and fenders; and perform boat maintenance and recommend repairs and overhauls required. - Failure to meet this Screen Out Element will result in an ineligible rating.

  • Physical Effort: May be required to lift and carry heavy parts and equipment weighing up to 50 lbs. Coordination of hands, eyes, body and legs is needed to work safely on wet and moving decks, especially when exposed to storms, high tides, or other extremes of weather.
  • Working Conditions: Incumbent is subject to injury while working around or inspecting moving machinery and parts, falls on wet decks, exposure to the extremes of weather and temperature conditions and to the general hazards of the sea.
Incumbent is required to possess (a minimum of) a U.S. Coast Guard Master/Inland 25G.T. License for this position. You must include a copy of your current, active, valid U.S. Coast Guard Master/Inland 25G.T. License.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

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 Logistics 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.

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. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

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.

Veterans and Military Spouses will be considered along with all other candidates.

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