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Department of the Army

Deckhand (Shipkeeper)

Jersey City, New Jersey Full time

Deckhand (Shipkeeper)

Department: Department of the Army

Location(s): Jersey City, New Jersey

Salary Range: $27.65 - $32.27 Per Hour

Job Summary: This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel of the DoD Workforce to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service. About the Position: Provides Operations & Maintenance of the Corps' Civil Works projects. Oversees projects related to water navigation, flood damage, geospatial data, environmental stewardship & coastal management.

Major Duties:

  • While assigned to a vessel, works under the supervision of the Master or Small Boat Operator and follows established operating practices and techniques associated with waterway missions and floating plant maintenance.
  • Performs general maintenance work, repair and paint decks, hulls, superstructure and interior spaces of vessels.
  • Operates cargo gear and deck machinery, rigging booms, handling lines during docking, moving and towing operations, and mending lines and canvas.
  • Stands lookout, security and wheel watches.
  • Connects and disconnects hoses and pipelines.
  • Operates fishing gear and similar work.

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: Ability to do the work of a Deckhand (Shipkeeper), XF-5788-06 without more than normal supervision which includes; docking and undocking to support watercraft movement, skilled in waterway missions, safe vessel operations, and maintaining the upkeep of the vessel. - Failure to meet this Screen Out Element will result in an ineligible rating. Required Conditions of Employment: The duties of this position require the incumbent to possess: 1) a valid Merchant Marine Credential for Ordinary Seaman; AND 2) a valid Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC). (Note: You must attach a copy of your credentials to your application package and include the serial number, date issued and expiration date.) Please note the requirements for both a current MMC and TWIC must be in hand for consideration for an interview and a Tentative Job Offer; therefore, you must attach a copy to your application package. If you are interested in pursuing and learning how to acquire the MMC and TWIC credentials, please see the following sites for additional information: The websites for information on how to acquire the MMC and TWIC are: MMC - https://www.dco.uscg.mil/nmc/merchant_mariner_credential/ TWIC - https://www.tsa.gov/for-industry/twic Physical Effort: Moderately heavy physical effort is required in lifting and carrying objects weighing up to 50 pounds; work in stretched and cramped positions. Working Conditions: Works both inside and outside during a variety of weather conditions and climates, including extremes of heat and cold and heavy rainfall. There is a danger of slipping from a vessel into water with possibility of physical injury or drowning. On-shore work may involve working in mud, snow, or ice in dirty or cramped situations.

How to Apply: To apply for this position, you must complete the online questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 11/17/2025 to receive consideration To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application (https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12796773). Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process. You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete. It is your responsibility to verify that your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan. Additional information on how to complete the online application process and submit your online application may be found on the USA Staffing Applicant Resource Center. To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.

Application Deadline: 2025-11-17