Second Assistant Engineer Job in Wilmington, NC

Vacancy No. CEDB-26-12820761-DHA Department U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Salary $37.51 to $43.73 Grade 8 to 8
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 10/22/2025 Close Date 11/13/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Wilmington, NC


Summary

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain DoD Personnel to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.

About the Position: Serves as Assistant Engineer on a large (over 100 feet in length) diesel-powered twin-screw vesselwith a total horsepower of up to 3,000 hp or more operating in the inland, Near Coastal, andCaribbean waters off of the United States.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

All US Citizen Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible Priority Placement Program, DoD MR and NG Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability Retirement Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Preference Eligible

Duties

  • Stands watches that includes leaving the engine room at prescribed intervals during the watch to conduct routine inspections of all equipment spaces.
  • Operate Assist dredge and multi-purpose vessel machinery, propulsion systems, engines, generators, hydraulic motors and pumps, auxiliaries and facilities.
  • Assist in repairs of dredge and multi-purpose vessel machinery, propulsion systems, engines, generators, hydraulic motors and pumps, auxiliaries and facilities.
  • Maintain and repair fire pumps, water filters, galley equipment, deck winches and capstans, keeping them in good working order.
  • Performs repair work from minor jobs to complete overhauls under supervision.
  • Inspect and maintain dredge and multi-purpose vessel machinery, propulsion systems, engines, generators, hydraulic motors and pumps, auxiliaries and facilities
  • Use drill press, honing equipment, grinders, jig borers, jig grinders, and power hacksaws
  • Inspects all operating machinery to insure proper functioning.
  • Requisition machinery spare parts, fuel, lubricants, materials, and supplies required for an engine room
  • Maintains adequate stock of such spare parts and supplies as may be required.
  • Ability to plan and lay out repair, replacement, maintenance, and modification plans and requirements ranging from those of minor nature to those of extreme complexity.
  • Use of lathes, shapers, and milling machines to understand the processes necessary for certain repairs.
  • Ensure that all mechanical equipment requiring paint is cleaned and painted periodically or as needed according to regulations.
  • Assist in repairing boat plumbing, heating, ventilating, communicating systems, keeping them in good working order.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
  • Must be licensed by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to operate motorboat of 26 feet or less within 6months of appointment to this position.
  • Living aboard vessels is a condition of employment, except for assignment to the Murden.
  • Tour of duty may be 7 days on, 7 days off, 12 hours per day; 8 days on, 6 days off, 10 hours per day; 4 days on, 3 days off, 10 hours per day; 14 days on, 14 days off, 12 hours a day.
  • Position requires a pre-employment and periodic physical examination and/or evaluation under the District Medical Surveillance Program and may require the use of personal protective clothing or equipment.
  • Incumbent is required to sign a DA Form 7412, Condition of Employment for Certain Civilian Positions Identified Safety-Sensitive Under the DOT, Federal Highway Administration Rules on Drug and Alcohol Testing.
  • This is a drug testing designated Position. The employee is required to complete DA FORM 5019-Condition of Employment. The employee is subject to random drug testing.
  • Must obtain and maintain a government passport within 6 months of employment.

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(n) Second Assistant Engineer ~ without more than normal supervision. The ability to perform the most difficult and complex duties of conducting routine inspections of all equipment spaces including dredge pump, and steering gear areas. I am skilled in Starting, stops, and adjusts engine room, auxiliary and deck equipment as necessary. Failure to meet this Screen out Element will result in an ineligible rating.
  • PHYSICAL EFFORT:
    Incumbent performs work from ladders, scaffolding, and platforms and where the parts, equipment, or systems are in hard-to-reach places. Work requires the incumbent to stand, stoop, bend, kneel, climb, and work in a tiring and uncomfortable position. Frequently lifts, carries, and sets up parts and equipment that weigh up to 40 pounds.
  • WORKING CONDITIONS:
    Work is performed inside and outside subjecting employee to varying climatic conditions, abnormal noises, temperature, danger of burns, irritation from grease and oils, bruises, strains, dangers involved in attending moving machinery, possible drowning from falling overboard, electrical shock, falls on slippery decks or steep stairways, crankcase explosion. A lifejacket is worn at all times while on deck.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

  • Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
  • You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
  • One year trial/probationary period may be required.
  • Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
  • Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
  • If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
  • This is a(n) 29 Career Field position.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
  • Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
  • Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest.
  • Relocation / Recruitment Incentive may be authorized if found to be in government best interest by the organization.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position.

You may claim Priority Placement Program (PPP) preference.

Veterans and Military Spouses will be considered along with all other candidates.?

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). If you are a Federal employee in the competitive service and your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority for this position. To receive selection priority, you must: (1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria (2) be rated well-qualified for the position and; (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. To be considered well-qualified and receive selection priority applicants must satisfy all qualification requirements for the position and receive a score of 90 or above. Additional information about the program is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website.

Required Documents

The documents you are required to submit vary based on whether or not you are eligible for preference in federal employment. A complete description of preference categories and the associated required documents is in the Applicant Checklist for Public Announcements.

As described above, your complete application includes your resume, your responses to the online questionnaire, and documents which prove your eligibility to apply. If you fail to provide these documents, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and you will not be considered any further.

1. Your resume:

  • 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 each relevant work experience, make sure you include the employer's name, job title, start and end dates (include month and year), for qualifications purposes, the number of hours worked per week, and a brief description that show you can perform the tasks at the required level listed in the job announcement. If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as incomplete, and you may not receive consideration for this position.
  • Use plain language. Avoid using acronyms and terms that are not easily understood. The hiring agency will not make assumptions about what's in your resume.
  • If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, it will not be used to make eligibility and qualification determinations, and you may not be considered for this vacancy.
  • For additional information, to include formatting tips, see: What to include in your resume.
2. Other supporting documents:
  • Cover Letter, optional
  • Most recent Performance Appraisal, if applicable
  • This position requires a job-related license or certification. You MUST submit a copy of your license or certification with your application package or you will be rated ineligible. See: Transcripts and Licenses
NOTE: Documents submitted as part of the application package, to include supplemental documents, may be shared beyond the Human Resources Office. Some supplemental documents such as military orders and marriage certificates may contain personal information for someone other than you. You may sanitize these documents to remove another person's personal information before you submit your application. You may be asked to provide an un-sanitized version of the documents if you are selected to confirm your eligibility.

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 11/13/2025 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/12820761).
  • 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.

Agency contact information

Army Applicant Help Desk
Address
RL-W2SR06 US ARMY ENGINEER DISTRICT-WILMINGTON
DO NOT MAIL
Wilmington, NC 28402
US

Next steps

If you provided an email address, you will receive an email message acknowledging receipt of your application. Your application package will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking (as applicable) for this position. If you are determined to be ineligible or not qualified, your application will receive no further consideration.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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