Small Craft Operator

Duties

SUMMARY CONTINUED:

This position has a SEASONAL, full-time work schedule. The incumbent’s services will be required primarily during the research field season starting in February and ending in September or October of each year. At the end of the work period, the incumbent will be placed in a non-work, non-pay status. It is expected that the incumbent will work at least 6 months Seasonal Work Schedule from Approximately Mid-March to late October or early November per year, but no more than 50 weeks or 25 pay periods on a full-time basis.

As a Small Craft Operation within the Alaska Science Center, some of your specific duties will include:

• Operates a 50′ research vessel as well as a variety of smaller twin-engine or single-engine inboard and outboard vessels.
• Transports personnel, researchers and other persons between various ports and coastal waters of coastal Alaska to conduct a variety of research projects.
• Operates year-round in both sheltered waters and open seas.
• Responsible for the safe operation of all boat activities required to support research operations, including the deployment of: research fishing gear (e.g. beam trawl, modified-herring trawl, purse seine, long-line, pots), a variety of scientific instrumentation (e.g. conductivity-temperature-depth profiler, carousel-style water sampler, hydroacoustic equipment, net sounders, bottom dredges, sonic tracking
  equipment), and diving equipment (scuba, on board air compressors, ship to diver communication systems).
• Responsible for fueling, servicing, and maintaining vessels, as well as for developing a maintenance schedule for all onboard equipment and keeping an up to-date maintenance log.

CREWMEMBER DUTIES:

Physical Demands: The selectee must be physically capable of performing duties safely and efficiently while onboard large vessels. Crewmember duties on large vessels are physically demanding and can be arduous and/or hazardous in nature. The operator often lifts and carries supplies and materials when loading and unloading boats. Moderate effort is required during general maintenance work. Coordination of hands, eyes, body, and legs is needed to work safely on wet and moving decks, and during potentially dangerous research operations.

Field Work: Employee may participate on scientific cruises on large research vessels. As part of the employee’s job function as a Crewmember, duties are performed and/or may be performed that are operational and safety-sensitive in nature. May be required to:

(a) Maintain a ‘bridge-watch’ as directed by the Captain/USCG licensed operator.

(b) Perform general vessel maintenance while aboard to help ensure safe working spaces and pollution prevention.

(c) Operate deck machinery including winches, windlasses, A-Frames, lifting equipment, lifesaving equipment and apparatus, fire-fighting systems and apparatus.

(d) Deploy, recover, assemble and disassemble ‘fishing -tows’ or other types of biological sampling equipment, oceanographic equipment, and other marine survey equipment.

(e) Perform mooring, anchoring, and line handling duties.

(f) Load and off-load scientific equipment and other cargo.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Key Requirements:

Are There Any Special Requirements For This Position?

• If selected you may be asked to provide information regarding your COVID-19 vaccination status for the purposes of implementing workplace safety protocols, such as those related to masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine.
• U.S. Coast Guard License Required – This position requires a qualifying merchant mariner credential from the U.S. Coast Guard. The selectee must possess and maintain through the duration of employment, a valid merchant mariner credential that at least meets the minimum criteria for a Master of Steam or Motor Vessels of Not More Than 100 Gross Registered Tons Upon Near Coastal Waters. In addition to the above USCG License, you must be able to take and pass the USGS Motorboat Operator Certification Course (MOCC) within six (6) months of employment.
• Prior to appointment, the person selected will be required to take and pass (both at Federal expense):
  (1) a physical exam and (2) a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use. From thereon, the incumbent may be subject to random drug testing.
• Because this position requires travel for official business, the selectee will be required to apply for a charge card within 30 calendar days of appointment. Individuals who have delinquent account balances from a previous Government charge card will be required to satisfy their existing obligation before a new card can be issued.

REQUIREMENTS CONTINUED IN THE QUALIFICATIONS SECTION:

How You Will Be Evaluated

• Benefits

  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.

  Review our benefits

  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.

• Required Documents

  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have – whether you’re a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you’re eligible under their policies.

  Required documents may be: (1) uploaded directly from your desktop; or (2) uploaded directly from your USAJOBS stored attachments.

  Resume

  • -You are highly encouraged to use USAJOBS Resume Builder to ensure all required information is included in your Resume. If you use your own resume, curriculum vitae, or other written form, then you must describe your job-related qualifications, including: beginning and ending dates for paid and non-paid work experience; hours worked per week; month and year of employment for each job title listed; annual salary; and description of job duties. Include name and address of employer; supervisor name and telephone number. Additional information on what to include can be found here.

  Supporting documents

  • -Upload any supporting documents identified in the Key Requirements section or included below as it applies to your eligibility. Supporting documents may be: (1) uploaded directly from your desktop; or (2) uploaded directly from your USAJOBS stored attachments

  Transcripts

  • -If this position requires specific educational course work to qualify, or you are qualifying based in whole or part on education, you are required to provide all unofficial transcripts (undergraduate, graduate, etc.) or list of course work, which includes semester hours earned and grade received, by the closing date of this announcement or you will be disqualified from further consideration. Please ensure that all documentation is legible.

  Veterans’ Preference Eligibles

  • -If you are claiming veterans’ preference you must provide a legible copy of your DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, member 4 copy or any official documentation or statement from the Armed Forces that confirms your dates of service and that your separation, discharge, or release from active duty was under honorable conditions (i.e., Honorable or General Discharge). Note: If you have more than one DD-214 for multiple periods of active duty, submit a copy for each period of service.

  • -If you are currently on active military duty, you must provide documentation (e.g., campaign document, award citation, etc.), that verifies entitlement to veterans’ preference and that your character of military service is honorable.

  • -If you are claiming 10-point veterans’ preference, in addition to the documents specified above, you must also submit documentation that supports your claim, e.g., an official statement from the Department of Veterans Affairs (dated 1991 or later) or from a branch of the Armed Forces certifying the existence of a service-connected disability, or the award of the Purple Heart, etc. The overall rating must be identified on your certification letter or separation orders. Documentation must be received by the closing date shown in this vacancy announcement. If you fail to submit any of the required documentation, you will not be granted veterans’ preference.

  Additional information on veterans’ preference can be found in the VetGuide.

  Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) & Inter-agency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) Eligibles

  • -If you are claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, the Servicing Human Resources Office must receive proof by the closing date of this announcement that you meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330 Subpart F for CTAP and 5 CFR 330 Subpart G for ICTAP or you will not receive priority consideration. This includes:

  • copy of the agency notice;
  • your most recent Performance Rating; and
  • your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location.

  If you are a CTAP or ICTAP eligible, you will be considered well qualified if you earn a minimum score of 85 (prior to the assignment of veteran’s preference points). For more information on CTAP/ICTAP please click here.

  Eligibility for Special Appointing Authorities

  If you are applying for this position based on eligibility under a special appointing authority, you must submit proof that supports your claim by the closing date of the announcement. If you fail to submit proof, you will not receive consideration under the special appointing authority. Below is a list of the most common authorities and the documentation requirements. If you’re eligible for an authority not listed, you are responsible for submitting documentation that’s appropriate for that specific authority.
  -30% or More Disabled Veteran – Submit a legible copy of your DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, member 4 copy; and an official statement from the Department of Veterans Affairs (dated 1991 or later) or from a branch of the Armed Forces certifying the existence of a service-connected disability, , etc. Additional information can be found in the VetGuide.

  REQUIRED DOCUMENTS CONTINUED IN THE HOW TO APPLY SECTION:

  If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
  

  Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

  Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

• How to Apply

  REQUIRED DOCUMENTS CONTINUED:
  -Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA) – NOTE: The VRA authority only applies to positions at the GS-11 level or lower. Submit a legible copy of your DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, member 4 copy; and if applicable, an official statement from the Department of Veterans Affairs (dated 1991 or later) or from a branch of the Armed Forces certifying the existence of a service-connected disability, or the award of a campaign badge or Armed Forces Service Medal, etc. Additional information can be found in the VetGuide.
  -Individuals with Disabilities – Submit documentation issued by a licensed medical professional; a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist; or any Federal agency, State agency, or an agency of the District of Columbia or a U.S. territory that issues or provides disability benefits. Additional information can be found here.
  -Military Spouse – Submit Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders issued within the last 2 years, that lists you as authorized to accompany the Military member to the new duty permanent station; OR verification of the member’s 100% disability (official statement from the Department of Veterans Affairs (dated 1991 or later)); OR verification of the member’s death while on active duty (DD-1300 and Death Certificate) AND verification of the marriage to the service member (i.e., a marriage license or other legal documentation verifying marriage). Additional information can be found here.
  -Appointment of Certain Former Overseas Employees – Submit a SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action that confirms your eligibility and a performance appraisal from that period. Additional information can be found here.
  -Peace Corps & VISTA – Former Peace Corps volunteers or VISTA members must submit their Certification of Volunteer Service. Present and former Peace Corps personnel must submit a SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action that confirms their eligibility. Additional information can be found here.
  -White House Staff – Submit proof that you are a current employee serving in the immediate Office of the President or Vice-President or on the White House Staff who has completed at least 2 years of service. Additional information can be found here.
  -Certain National Guard Technicians – Submit proof that confirms that you were involuntarily separated (other than by removal for cause on charges of misconduct or delinquency); you served at least 3 years as a technician; and are within 1 year of your separation date from service as a Guard Technician. Additional information can be found here.
  -Public Land Corps (PLC) – Submit the signed Certificate of Eligibility for Noncompetitive Hiring Status (PLC) issued by the PLC Coordinator for the organization where the creditable service was completed. Additional information can be found here.

  • -Applications (resume and application questions) for this vacancy must be received on-line via USAJOBS BEFORE midnight Eastern Time (Washington, D.C. time) on the closing date of this announcement. If you fail to submit a complete online resume, you will not be considered for this position. Requests for extensions will not be granted. Most libraries, employment offices, and all USGS personnel offices can provide access to the Internet. If applying online poses a hardship for you, you must speak to someone in the Servicing Human Resources Office listed on this announcement PRIOR TO THE CLOSING DATE for assistance.

  • -Instructions for Applying Online for this Vacancy Announcement: 1)Click the blue “Apply Online” button. 2)If you are not a registered USAJOBS user, please create a new account and follow the instructions to complete your application process. If you are a registered user, login to access your existing USAJOBS profile. 3)As a registered user, select a stored resume and select one or more of your stored documents to attach to your application. 4)Check the “Certification” box and click the “Apply for this position now!” button located at the bottom of the screen. 5)Address the eligibility questions as well as the questionnaire containing questions and/or task statements that address the knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies for this vacancy. 6)Submit required documents. 7) If you experience technical difficulties during the online application process, please contact the USAJOBS helpdesk.

  Agency contact information

  Melissa Barnhart
  

  Phone

  916-278-9412

  Email

  [email protected]

  Address

  ALASKA SCIENCE CENTER
  12201 Sunrise Valley Drive
  Mail Stop 600
  
  Reston, VA 20192
  US
  

  Next steps

  • -If you are rated as one of the most highly qualified candidates, you will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. We expect to make a selection within 30-45 days of the closing date of this announcement. You will be notified via email of the outcome. You can also go to “My Account” within USAJOBS to review your Application Status.

• Fair and Transparent

  The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Financial suitability
  • Selective Service
  • New employee probationary period
  • Signature and false statements
  • Privacy Act
  • Social security number request

Required Documents