DECKHAND

Summary

About the Position: Position is located in the US Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk District, Water Resources Division, Floating Plant Section. Serves as a deckhand on floating plant to include derrick boat, crane barge, patrol vessels, and survey vessels that operate in protected and unprotected waters to include the Atlantic Ocean, Chesapeake Bay, James River, and Dismal Swamp Canal.

Duties

• Perform lookout watches and assist the Captain of the vessel with navigation duties as prescribed in the US Coast Guard navigation rules.
• Prepares vessel to depart from wharf by inspecting fluids, equipment, and machinery.
• Assembles rigging (cables, ropes, pulleys, winches, blocks, and sheaves according to weight and size of load to be moved) to lift and move loads (nav aids, obstructions, scientific and engineering equipment, etc.)
• Deploys and retrieves scientific and surveying equipment (50 lbs) and anchors (30 lbs) over the side of the boats.
• Operates a skiff to transport personnel to work site and to remove debris and other materials.
• Maintains the floating plant's machinery and metal structures to include interior and exterior of the vessel by performing routine inspections, removing rust accumulations, and refinishing the affected areas with sealants, primers, and paint.
• Performs maintenance on bilges, machinery, equipment, and tools to include lubricating machinery and equipment in various compartments of the vessel by entering and exiting through hatches that are 15 inches in width
• Utilizes chainsaw (20 lbs) to take down trees on riverbanks that pose a hazard to navigation, cut trees into more manageable sizes for movement, and takes down trees on sides of mountains and other areas to provide line of sight during surveys.
• Utilizes tools (saws, hammers, etc.) and equipment (circular saw, jigsaw, drills, etc.) during waterfront construction activities to construct or renew docks, piers, and other structures.
• Maintains the decks free of excess water, debris, and rust accumulation by sweeping and washing using hoses, mops, and other tools.

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 (Screen Out Element): Ability to do the work of a Deckhand without more than normal supervision which includes: Performing common hull maintenance and cleaning, sweeping, mopping decks and bulkheads, and maintaining floating plant machinery and metal interior and exterior structures. Preparing vessels for movement and assembling rigging to lift and move loads. Safely operating various tools and equipment such as chainsaws, hammers, circular saw, jigsaw, drills, pike pole, deck crane, winch, and davits. Failure to meet this Screen out Element will result in an ineligible rating. Job Elements: The skills, knowledge, abilities, and personal characteristics listed below are important to succeed in the job: Ability to do the work of the position without more than normal supervision (Screen-out Element) Operation of Motor Vehicles Work Practices (includes keeping things neat, clean, and in order) Ability To Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (related to mobile equipment operation) Ability to Drive Safely (Motor Vehicles) Ability To Operate Safely (Non-Motor Vehicle) Reliability and Dependability as a Deckhand PHYSICAL EFFORT: Incumbent required to lift 50 lbs and sustained strenuous physical effort when operating chainsaw (20 lbs); deploying and retrieving scientific and surveying equipment (50 lbs) over the side of a boat; loading and unloading supplies and equipment from other vessels, barges, and land; washing, scrubbing scraping, cleaning and painting surfaces; and handling lines. Work requires long periods of standing, lifting, climbing, and walking on a moving platform such as a skiff and boat and rugged terrain. WORKING CONDITIONS: Work is performed inside and outside and is subject to extreme weather conditions to include high temperatures, high humidity, low temperatures, high winds, and heavy precipitation. Incumbent is exposed to hazards such as cuts, bruises, loud noises, burns from moving machinery, equipment and tool operations, breaking cables, falls, slippery and tilting surfaces, Hazards that are present when performing duties are from moving machinery, loud noises from equipment/tool operations, breaking cables, slippery and tilting surfaces, going up and down stairs and ladders, strains in lifting, pulling, eye injuries from chipping paint and rust, exposed to dust, fumes, and heat; and possible of drowning or falling overboard. Work is performed on boats that operate in various sea conditions that cause the boat to rock back and forth and incumbent is required to continue to perform duties. Areas on vessels are confined and require climbing ladders and entering and exiting through hatches and port holes that are 15 inches in width.

How to apply

Interested Applicants must submit resumes/application packages to: [email protected] To apply for this position, you must submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility. Alternate applications (e.g., facsimile applications) will not be accepted. The complete application package must be submitted to the email address provided above by 11:59 PM (EST) on 09/23/2026 to receive consideration.