This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel of the DoD Workforce in Competitive Service to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service. About the Position: This position is located with the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, Memphis District, Operations Division, Revetment Branch, Motor Vessel Mississippi. Duty location is wherever the Motor Vessel Mississippi is located.

Duties

Serves as a Pilot Trainee (Steersman) aboard the Motor Vessel Mississippi to obtain additional practical experience in river navigation, to develop an increased ability to handle vessels and tows. Responsible for deck crew in making up and breaking up tows. Stands a regular watch as an Assistant Master on vessels such as towboats, tenders, self-propelled dredges and patrol boats, which operate on the Mississippi River and tributaries. Stands a watch, with responsibility for complete operation of the vessel and for safety of plant and personnel. Personally operates controls governing navigation of the vessel. Directs the making and breaking of tows from the pilot house or bridge.

Requirements

• 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.
• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• Assistant Master, Towboat (DR), XH-5784-14 you must possess a current U.S. Coast Guard Mate of Any Gross Tons and Master of Towing (Western Rivers) license.
• First Mate, Towboat, XH-5784-12, you must possess the following U.S. Coast Guard licenses: a current Mate of any Gross Tons AND Master Towing (Western Rivers). The incumbent must possess a current Western Rivers and Inland Radar endorsement.
• Second Mate, Towboat, XH-5784-09, you must possess the following U.S. Coast Guard licenses: (1)Master of Towing and/or (2) Mate of 1600 Gross Tons and Pilot Towing (Western Rivers) license and/or (3)Any Gross Ton Mate.
• This position is subject to random drug and alcohol test screenings

Qualifications

This is a developmental position and may be filled at either grade level, XH-5784-09 Second Mate, Towboat; XH-5784-12 First Mate, Towboat; or XH-5784-14 Assistant Master, Towboat (DR). The grade level selected will be based upon your qualifications and responses to the questionnaire. Assignments at the XH-9 and XH-12 level will become progressively more difficult and will be under closer than normal supervision until the full-performance level of XH-14 is reached. Non-Competitive promotion to the target job may be effected provided you are sufficiently experienced; meet all necessary qualification requirements for promotion to the target job; and is performing the full scope of the major duties. 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. Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician EligiblePriority Placement Program, DoD Military Spouse Preference (MSP) EligiblePriority Placement Program, DoD MR and NG Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability RetirementPriority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Preference Eligible 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) Assistant Master Towboat (DR) as a XH-14 without more than normal supervision. Responsible for complete operation of the vessel and safety of all personnel. Navigates the vessel and is knowledgeable about the river stages. Provides advice and information co commercial and government vessels concerning navigation hazards and problems and operation which impact navigation. - Failure to meet this Screen Out Element will result in an ineligible rating. The Assistant Master, Towboat (DR) position is dual-rated to the position of Master, XH-5784-17. As the Master, you will serve as the Supervisor responsible for duties such as appraisals, discipline actions, approving leave, etc. If qualified and possesses appropriate U.S. Coast guard License/Certification, incumbent may be assigned to perform the duties of this position during the absence of the Master in a dual-rated capacity. If not qualified, you will have three years from appointment to obtain Master of any Gross Tons (Western Rivers) license within 36 months of employment, failure to obtain may result in termination. Screen Out Element: Ability to perform the work of a First Mate, Towboat at the XH-12 such as stands a regular watch and supervises the deck crew engaged in making up and breaking up tows, general housekeeping, and various deck work. Personally signals Master on watch or maintains radio contact during the making up and breaking up of tows, notifies Master when tow is secure and/or ready to get under way, and enforces safety regulations. NOTE: Failure to progress from the XH-12 level to the XH-14 level within 36 months will be grounds for removal. Screen Out Element: Ability to perform the work of a Second Mate, Towboat at the XH-09 such as stands a regular watch and supervises the deck crew engaged in making up and breaking up tows, general housekeeping, and various deck work. Personally signals Master on watch or maintains radio contact during the making up and breaking up of tows. NOTE: Failure to progress from the XH-09 level to the XH-12 level within 24 months will be grounds for removal. Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision Physical Effort: The work of this position is sedentary in nature. Working Conditions:Work is primarily performed inside in an enclosed pilot house but also requires work outside of the pilot house, subjecting the incumbent of varying climatic conditions. Hazards include occasional danger of falling overboard, falls on slippery decks or in climbing steep stairways, and injury from moving machinery. The incumbent is subject to hazards of heavy river traffic at night and during foggy weather.

Contacts

• Address RG-W2R901 US ARMY ENGINEER DISTRICT-MEMPHIS DO NOT MAIL Memphis, TN 38103 US
• Name: Army Applicant Help Desk