DECKHAND

Summary

About the Position: Position is located in the US Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk District, Water Resources Division, Floating Plant Section. Serves as a deckhand on floating plant to include derrick boat, crane barge, patrol vessels, and survey vessels that operate in protected and unprotected waters to include the Atlantic Ocean, Chesapeake Bay, James River, and Dismal Swamp Canal.

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Duties

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• Perform lookout watches and assist the Captain of the vessel with navigation duties as prescribed in the US Coast Guard navigation rules.
• Prepares vessel to depart from wharf by inspecting fluids, equipment, and machinery.
• Assembles rigging (cables, ropes, pulleys, winches, blocks, and sheaves according to weight and size of load to be moved) to lift and move loads (nav aids, obstructions, scientific and engineering equipment, etc.)
• Deploys and retrieves scientific and surveying equipment (50 lbs) and anchors (30 lbs) over the side of the boats.
• Operates a skiff to transport personnel to work site and to remove debris and other materials.
• Maintains the floating plant's machinery and metal structures to include interior and exterior of the vessel by performing routine inspections, removing rust accumulations, and refinishing the affected areas with sealants, primers, and paint.
• Performs maintenance on bilges, machinery, equipment, and tools to include lubricating machinery and equipment in various compartments of the vessel by entering and exiting through hatches that are 15 inches in width
• Utilizes chainsaw (20 lbs) to take down trees on riverbanks that pose a hazard to navigation, cut trees into more manageable sizes for movement, and takes down trees on sides of mountains and other areas to provide line of sight during surveys.
• Utilizes tools (saws, hammers, etc.) and equipment (circular saw, jigsaw, drills, etc.) during waterfront construction activities to construct or renew docks, piers, and other structures.
• Maintains the decks free of excess water, debris, and rust accumulation by sweeping and washing using hoses, mops, and other tools.

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 will comply with safety regulations, occupational safety and health standards and other safety directives to include wearing personnel protective equipment such as respirators, hearing and fall protection, and personal flotation devices
• Incumbent will be required to have and maintain a valid state driver's license prior to being hired.
• Incumbent will be required to obtain and maintain a USACE license for the operation of motorboats less than 26 feet within one year of being hired.
• Incumbent will be enrolled in the Hearing Conservation program and must undergo pre-employment, annual and pre-termination audiograms. (Per NAOSA DFs dtd 31 May 84 and 2 Aug 84).
• Incumbent will be required to obtain a CLASS I crane operator certification for floating crane within one year of being hired.
• Incumbent will be required to obtain and maintain a current physician's certification, dated within the past 2 years that the operator is physically qualified to operate cranes.
• Temporary duty may be required within the state of Virginia to respond to emergencies.
• This position is covered by the civilian drug abuse testing program. Incumbent is required to sign a DA Form 5019-R, Condition of Employment for certain civilian position identified as critical under the Drug Abuse Testing Program.
• This position has a Temporary Duty (TDY) or business travel requirement of 25% of the time.
• This position meets the criteria for random drug and alcohol testing under the Department of Army Drug-Free Workplace Program as supplemented by USACE ER 690-1-1218.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

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 (Screen Out Element): Ability to do the work of a Deckhand without more than normal supervision which includes: Performing common hull maintenance and cleaning, sweeping, mopping decks and bulkheads, and maintaining floating plant machinery and metal interior and exterior structures. Preparing vessels for movement and assembling rigging to lift and move loads. Safely operating various tools and equipment such as chainsaws, hammers, circular saw, jigsaw, drills, pike pole, deck crane, winch, and davits. Failure to meet this Screen out Element will result in an ineligible rating.

Job Elements: The skills, knowledge, abilities, and personal characteristics listed below are important to succeed in the job:

• Ability to do the work of the position without more than normal supervision (Screen-out Element)
• Operation of Motor Vehicles
• Work Practices (includes keeping things neat, clean, and in order)
• Ability To Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (related to mobile equipment operation)
• Ability to Drive Safely (Motor Vehicles)
• Ability To Operate Safely (Non-Motor Vehicle)
• Reliability and Dependability as a Deckhand

PHYSICAL EFFORT:

Incumbent required to lift 50 lbs and sustained strenuous physical effort when operating chainsaw (20 lbs); deploying and retrieving scientific and surveying equipment (50 lbs) over the side of a boat; loading and unloading supplies and equipment from other vessels, barges, and land; washing, scrubbing scraping, cleaning and painting surfaces; and handling lines. Work requires long periods of standing, lifting, climbing, and walking on a moving platform such as a skiff and boat and rugged terrain.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work is performed inside and outside and is subject to extreme weather conditions to include high temperatures, high humidity, low temperatures, high winds, and heavy precipitation. Incumbent is exposed to hazards such as cuts, bruises, loud noises, burns from moving machinery, equipment and tool operations, breaking cables, falls, slippery and tilting surfaces, Hazards that are present when performing duties are from moving machinery, loud noises from equipment/tool operations, breaking cables, slippery and tilting surfaces, going up and down stairs and ladders, strains in lifting, pulling, eye injuries from chipping paint and rust, exposed to dust, fumes, and heat; and possible of drowning or falling overboard. Work is performed on boats that operate in various sea conditions that cause the boat to rock back and forth and incumbent is required to continue to perform duties. Areas on vessels are confined and require climbing ladders and entering and exiting through hatches and port holes that are 15 inches in width.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

• This announcement uses the DHA for Certain Personnel of the DoD Workforce (Title 5 USC Section 9905) direct hire authority to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to certain positions in the competitive service.
• 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.
• This position requires a 1 year probationary period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.
• 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..
• Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
• Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
• When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit for more information.
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS) allowances may be authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations and an agency determination that a PCS move is 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.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.