Drift Collection Worker

Summary

About the Position: Serve as crew member on either of the 100-foot drift collection boats and/or 50-foot debris boat that remove and dispose of floating debris and other navigational hazards from waters of the San Francisco Bay, harbors and channels. Recruitment and relocation incentives, to include student loan repayment, may be offered to highly qualified candidates.

Duties

• Collect debris consisting of timbers, boxes, crates, miscellaneous logs, rafts, barges, boats, and animal/vegetable matter.
• Work oversize logs and debris alongside rigs, slings so that the crane can bring materials aboard.
• Rig loaded nets for removal from debris well on drift collector, and large debris and nets from deck to shore.
• Pull on heavy tag lines and watches crane operating signals to prevent injury from the swinging crane, crushing by net, or debris against the boat.
• Participate in the maintenance and repair of the deck and crane, and general housekeeping on the boat.
• Repair handrails, walkways, moorings, tide gauge structures, etc.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens 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 Drift Collection Worker ~ without more than normal supervision. I have the ability to perform common construction trade. I can operate small construction equipment and a have limited amount of boating experience. I work under the normal supervision of a work leader or journey-level employee who observes tasks in progress and upon completion to make sure they are properly performed. - Failure to meet this Screen out Element will result in an ineligible rating. Physical Effort: Exert sustained physical effort in moving water-logged logs and other heavy and awkward floating objects; stand for long periods of time; handle pike poles; lift and hold lines; climb up and down steps, stoop and bend in performing maintenance work as well as in operation of debris collection, and lift and handle a variety of tools and equipment in the performance of tasks. Working Conditions: Work is performed in all kinds of weather. Incumbent is exposed to injuries from traffic collisions in navigation channels, especially during foggy weather. There is danger of drowning from slipping and falling overboard. Debris collected is oily, dirty, wet, and possibly contaminated (i.e., occasionally required to collect decomposed bodies found in the bay). Subject to bodily injury from debris falling out of nets; crushing by steel net against side of derrick boat and from revolving crane or during repair and maintenance tasks.

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 09/10/2026 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/13052660). Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. As a reminder, your resume must be two pages or less and must support the specialized experience described in this announcement. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. For additional information, refer to the 'Required Documents' section. 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. Your resume selected in USAJOBS will be included, but you must re-select other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application may 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://www.usajobs.gov/applicant/profile/dashboard/), 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://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/status.