Production Trades Assistant - SDCA

Job Title

Reports To: Lead Foreman

Supervises: N/A

Authorities / Responsibilities:

Safety, Compliance & Work Practices

• Maintains safe work habits and strictly adheres to all safety policies, procedures, and PPE requirements.
• Monitors the work environment for hazards and reports safety, environmental, or health deficiencies to supervision.
• Follows correct construction and repair procedures in compliance with Austal USA standards, project specifications, and regulatory requirements.
• Complies with Austal USA's Equal Opportunity and Anti-Harassment Policy and maintains professional conduct at all times.
• Complies with all guidelines outlined in the Austal USA Employee Handbook.
• Able to obtain and maintain required credentials for access to local Naval Bases, secure shipyard areas, and restricted waterfront facilities.
• Demonstrates professionalism and compliance with military and federal regulations while working aboard government vessels or within secure environments.

Trade Support & Craft Assistance

• Assists skilled trades (welders, fabricators, electricians, pipefitters, mechanics, painters, etc.) by preparing tools, materials, and work areas.
• Performs basic fabrication and prep tasks such as grinding, cutting, beveling, cleaning, and staging components under supervision.
• Supports mechanical and piping work including bolt-up, gasket installation, pipe handling, and component positioning.
• Assists with electrical tasks such as cable pulling, securing conduits, staging equipment, and labeling components.
• Helps with hull and structural work by staging steel/aluminum parts, assisting with fitting, and performing minor prep work.
• Displays willingness to cross-craft and support multiple trade departments as needed.

Tools, Equipment & Worksite Setup

• Sets up and breaks down workstations including power sources, hoses, leads, lighting, and ventilation.
• Inspects tools and equipment before use, reporting defects or unsafe conditions.
• Performs basic maintenance on hand tools such as changing discs, cleaning, and lubrication.
• Ensures proper storage and accountability of tools and equipment at the end of each shift.
• Assists in preparing shipboard work areas, including lighting, ventilation, and safe access pathways.

Housekeeping & Worksite Maintenance

• Maintains housekeeping standards by keeping work areas clean, organized, and free of debris or hazards.
• Conserves consumables and materials, minimizing waste.
• Supports containment setup for painting, blasting, or hot-work zones.
• Assists with scaffolding or temporary platform staging within training limits.

Shipboard & Yard Operations

• Safely boards vessels using gangways, ladders, scaffolding, or temporary access structures while carrying tools and equipment.
• Assists with shipboard access setup including ladders, gangways, lighting, and ventilation.
• Supports confined-space entry procedures, including ventilation setup and gas-testing assistance when trained.
• Helps with removal, installation, and alignment of ship components during construction or repair.
• Assists with system flushing, testing, and inspections under direction.

Documentation & Communication

• Completes daily work assignments, including required signatures for work completion and quality verification.
• Communicates material shortages, delays, or issues to supervisors or lead trades.
• Able to receive and carry out verbal and written instructions clearly and accurately.
• Works effectively as part of a team and within assigned roles.
• Maintains communication with welders, supervisors, and safety personnel, reporting any unsafe conditions immediately.

Learning & Development

• Demonstrates ability to ensure the quality of one's own work and seeks guidance when needed.
• Learns on the job as an OJT trainee and actively participates in craft cross-training.
• Shows initiative by asking questions, seeking clarification, and volunteering for tasks that build skill and knowledge.

Qualifications / Knowledge / Experience:

• Diploma/GED
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, divide
• Ability to measure using the Metric and English system
• Demonstrated mechanical aptitude
• The ability to understand directions and follow instructions; both oral and written

Tools:

• Scissors
• Fillet knife Allen wrenches Flashlight
• Crescent wrench
• Screwdrivers - flat and Phillips head
• Channel Locks
• Hammer Chalk box
• Butcher & Fillet Knife and Sharpener Chalk Line
• End Nippers Scissors 6" and 10"
• Measuring Tape (Combined Metrics/Standard) 8 M
• Set of Allen Wrenches Standard and Metric
• Set of Tin Snips (Left, Right and Straight)
• Small Pair Bolt Cutters
• Utility Knife

Discretion Exercised: N/A

Additional Guidelines:

• Candidates must meet the following employment eligibility guidelines to be considered for employment with Austal USA:
• 18 years of age or older at time of application
• Able to provide proof of US Person Status
• No felony convictions of Theft/Deception or Violent crimes within seven years from disposition date
• No felony convictions of Drug crimes within three years from disposition date
• Willing to submit to a drug screen
• Willing to submit to a background check

Liaises With: Production Department Supervisors and Foremen, Health, Safety and Environmental, and trade personnel

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Must be able to tour all vessels and work sites.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, use hands to manipulate, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, climb and balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit.

Specific physical requirements include the following:

• Must have the ability to bend, squat, stoop, crawl, and kneel.
• Perform prolonged standing.
• Ability to turn head from side to side and about the vertical axis.
• Ability to turn body at the waist from side to side and about the vertical axis.
• Lift/push/pull 50lbs to 75lbs on an occasional basis.
• Lift/push/pull up to 20lbs on a frequent basis.
• Must have the ability to climb in a safe manner (climbing as a minimum includes stairs, scaffolding, ladders, and ramps).
• Ability to work at heights above 12' while working from ladders, scaffolding and/or man lifts.
• Able to work at a variety of levels (ex. waist, eye, overhead).
• Demonstrate the ability to safely and appropriately use required tools and equipment.
• Demonstrate good balance while working on uneven surfaces and maneuvering obstacles.
• Possess sufficient handgrip and coordination to carry and operate tools and equipment.
• Ability to utilize personal protective equipment (hard hat, safety glasses, steel-toes shoes, goggles, respirator, safety harness, safety line, flotation gear, etc.) safely per OSHA standards.
• Ability to withstand cold and hot temperatures.
• Ability to enter 18" x 36" openings and work in confined spaces for