Clarification from the agency

Open to current and former Federal employees with competitive status, VEOA Applicants, AND All U.S. Citizens.

The Small Craft Operator:

• Operates a variety of workboats on surveys, buoy runs, inspections, service calls, emergency response, maintenance and engineering projects, and to transport personnel and supplies, etc.
• Keeps boats in operating condition by making routine repairs.
• Performs inspection and maintenance of navigation aids which consists of buoys, and fixed lights. Visits/services each navigation aid that is part of the St. Lawrence Seaway within the territorial waters of the United States.
• Corrects malfunctions of lights and buoys upon receipt of notice from Supervisor or Director of Lock Operations and Marine Services, or their designee.
• When assisting Engineering personnel and/or performing Marine Division work, operates surveying instruments and equipment both on land and water.
• Receives assistance from and provides direction to laborers or marine helpers.

The ideal candidate must possess the appropriate, current, and valid U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC), endorsement(s), USCG Medical Certificate, and a valid Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC). They must have demonstrated knowledge and experience as a marine vessel operator (Master or Mate) on the St. Lawrence River, Great Lakes, or similar in the performance of the following without direct supervision:

• Safely operating marine vessels as Master or Mate
• Operating deck machinery and equipment.
• Maintaining marine vessels to established standards.
• Servicing or maintaining aids to navigation (e.g., buoys, lights) or other marine related devices
• Supporting a variety of marine operations.

*PLEASE NOTE: Given our continuing need for top professionals in this field, we will review applications after the first 30 days of the vacancy opening. Then after, applications will be reviewed on an as needed basis

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S.Citizen and eligible for consideration.
• You must meet specialized experience to qualify.
• Required documents must be submitted by the closing date.
• Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance the organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

• PHYSICAL EXAM REQUIRED: This position has strenuous physical requirements. You will be required to successfully complete a physical exam and a functional capacity test, at the expense of the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway, before being placed in the position. You may be assigned to duties requiring the use of a respirator. You will be fit tested for a respirator upon entering the position. You will be required to be clean-shaven for the initial fit-testing, and for any future assignments requiring the wearing of the respirator.
• REQUIRED TRAINING/LICENSE for WG-08 level: Applicant must be eligible for a Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC),  U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Medical Certificate, and USCG Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) endorsed as NATIONAL OPERATOR OF UNINSPECTED PASSENGER VESSELS (OUPV) upon the Great Lakes and the above must be obtained within 1 year and must remain current and valid. Failure to successfully complete the training and obtain the required documentation outlined above may result in being separated from employment with the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway.
• REQUIRED LICENSE for WG-10 level: You must have a current and valid Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC), U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Medical Certificate, and USCG Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) endorsed as NATIONAL OPERATOR OF UNINSPECTED PASSENGER VESSELS (OUPV) or greater upon the Great Lakes or superseding routes and must remain current and valid with further upgrades to 50/100 Ton Master with associated endorsements depending on vessel types and overall USCG requirements.

PLEASE SEE THE "OTHER INFORMATION" SECTION FOR ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT.

Qualifications

Qualifications for the position are based on the training, experience, or other requirements that determine which applicants would be able to perform satisfactorily in the position to be filled.

For WG-08 Level: This is a developmental position; applicant must be eligible for a Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC), U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Medical Certificate, and USCG Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) endorsed as NATIONAL OPERATOR OF UNINSPECTED PASSENGER VESSELS (OUPV) upon the Great Lakes and the above must be obtained within 1 year and must remain current and valid. Failure to successfully complete the training and obtain the required documentation outlined above may result in being separated from employment with the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway.

To qualify for the WG-08, your experience should include experience as a documented crew member in a marine vessel deck or engineering department or in serving as marine personnel onshore performing the following:

• Operating deck machinery and equipment.
• Maintaining marine vessels and/or facilities to established standards.
• Servicing or maintaining aids to navigation (e.g., buoys, lights) or other marine related devices
• Supporting a variety of marine operations.

For WG-10 Level: You must have a current and valid Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC), U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Medical Certificate, and USCG Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) endorsed as NATIONAL OPERATOR OF UNINSPECTED PASSENGER VESSELS (OUPV) or greater upon the Great Lakes or superseding routes and must remain current and valid with further upgrades to 50/100 Ton Master with associated endorsements depending on vessel types and overall USCG requirements.

To qualify for the WG-10, your experience should include experience as a documented crew member in a marine vessel deck or engineering department or in serving as marine personnel onshore performing the following:

• Safely operating marine vessels of less than 100 gross tons
• Operating various deck equipment and maintaining vessels to high standards.
• Carrying out maintenance of aids to navigation (buoys, lights, etc.).
• Supporting a wide range of marine operations and specialized projects.

Your application will also be rated on the following job elements:

• Ability to do the work of the position.
• Operation of Motor Vehicles.
• Ability to Interpret Instructions.
      

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

• Mechanical (*) – Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, benefits, repair, and maintenance.
• Oral Communication (*) – Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
• Teamwork – Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.
• Vehicle Operation – Knowledge of procedures for operating motor vehicles, including cars, trucks, or watercraft.

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).  Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.  You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.  If you do not meet the minimum levels in the ability to do the work OR if you do not meet the minimum level overall, you will be disqualified.

How you will be evaluated

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

DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE: PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume/ application does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s). Your resume must contain sufficiently detailed information upon which to make a qualification determination. Please ensure that your resume contains specific information such as position titles, beginning and ending dates of employment for each position, average number of hours worked per week, and if the position is/was in the Federal government, you should provide the position series and grade level.

To compete with U.S. Citizens: If you meet the qualification requirements, your application will be placed in one of two categories: Qualified and Well Qualified which is based upon your responses to the vacancy questions. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference that have provided supporting documents will receive selection priority over non-veterans. The top rated applications will be reviewed for the quality of your experience, education and training relevant to the position.

To compete with other competitive status government employees: Federal Wage System (FWS) positions require the use of a Screen-Out Element.  Points will be based on experience and training which are documented by your responses to the questionnaire.  To be qualified, applicants must receive at least 2 points on the Screen-Out Element and an average of 2 points on all the elements in order to be considered minimally qualified for the position.  Applicants who do not receive 2 points on the Screen-Out Element will be eliminated from further consideration.

If you meet the qualification requirements, your application will be scored based upon your responses to the vacancy questions. The top rated applications will be reviewed for the quality of your experience, education and training relevant to the position. If referred, all relevant documents including performance appraisals and awards submitted with your application package will be forwarded to the hiring official for review.
Eligible Federal employees also seeking consideration for noncompetitive reassignment for this position must indicate interest in the assessment. Noncompetitive federal candidates must have competitive status on a SF-50, meet minimum qualifications, have served at the same grade or higher, and held or exceeded the promotion potential of this position.

All applicants: Your application will be rated on the extent and quality of your experience, education and training relevant to the position. The answers you select in the on-line process must be substantiated in your application package.  If upon review, it is determined that your described work history, competencies, and/or supporting documents do not support your answer choices, your application may be updated on your behalf or you may not be referred to the selecting official. Please ensure that your work history provides enough details to support your answers. The Automated Staffing Office is ultimately responsible for determining your final rating.

RESUME: In accordance with the OPM memorandum titled Merit Hiring Plan, dated May 29, 2025, resumes with a maximum of two (2) pages in length will be accepted as part of your application.  These should be legible and in a readable font size. A determination of your eligibility and/or qualifications will be based only on those two (2) pages. 

Your resume MUST contain specific information that can be used to make a qualification determination, including employment beginning and ending dates for each position, whether employment is Full-time or Part-time, or average number of hours worked per week,  and position titles.  If the position is/was in the Federal government, you will need to provide the position series and grade level.  The resume should show relevant experience and education, as well as support the required specialized experience.

PERFORMANCE APPRAISALS/INCENTIVE AWARDS: If applicable, performance appraisals and/or Incentive award documentation may be submitted and forwarded to the selecting official in consideration of your application. To receive credit, submit a recent performance appraisal (dated within 18 months) showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable (do not submit a performance plan) and/or incentive award documentation dated within the last 18 months (i.e. performance awards, special act or achievement awards, quality step increases, etc.).

VETERANS: Your last DD214 (member 4 copy), Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty, that shows the type of discharge and all dates of active duty is required to verify your eligibility.  

• If applying to a vacancy opened to all US Citizens under category rating and wish to be considered as a preference eligible, you need to submit a copy of your DD214 (member-4 copy).
• If claiming preference eligibility as a disabled veteran, you must submit proof of entitlement of this preference which is normally a valid letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs certifying to the present existence of the service-connected disability and indicating the percentage of your disability.  An SF-15 is desired, but not required.
• If applying to a vacancy opened Status and you are requesting consideration under Veteran's Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) (https://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/shav/#veoa), you need to provide a copy of your last DD214 (member-4 copy), which verifies your military service dates, reason for separation, OR certification of separation that shows a discharge date within 120 days of the closing of this announcement, and eligibility for consideration under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act.

FEDERAL APPLICANTS: You must submit SF-50(s) that verify your highest competitive grade, full performance level, and eligibility as a federal applicant.  DO NOT submit an award SF-50 as these often do not verify grade or eligibility. For consideration for a promotion, Box 4 of the SF-50 must show a date that is at least 52 weeks prior to the job announcement closing. We recommend submitting your last promotion SF-50 or within-grade increase SF-50.  Pay adjustment raise SF-50s for the current year will not support the 52 weeks’ time-in-grade requirements. https://help.usajobs.gov/working-in-government/service/sf-50

NON COMPETITIVE APPLICANTS: If requesting concurrent consideration for Non-competitive (NC) appointment eligibility, you must provide the appropriate SPECIAL APPOINTING AUTHORITY DOCUMENTS, such as PCS orders (military spouse) describing move & marriage certificate; letter from VA or DD214 describing 100% disability of spouse; letter from State Vocational Office certifying disability (schedule A), etc. For more information, visit military spouse NC appointments or Persons with Disabilities NC appointments.

DISPLACED EMPLOYEES: If requesting consideration under the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency CTAP program (ICTAP), you must meet the well qualified standards for this vacancy (meeting minimum requirements for position and scoring at least an 80) and provide all of the following documents:  

• your most recent performance appraisal,
• the proof of eligibility letter from the Agency, and
• your most current SF-50, displaying current series and grade.

Displaced employees may be eligible for ICTAP or CTAP priority consideration. For more information, please review the OPM Employee's Guide to Career Transition.

Failure to submit any of the required documents by the closing date of the vacancy will result in your removal from consideration for this position. Please review your application prior to final submission and ensure you have submitted all appropriate documents. Uploading documents to USAJobs does NOT ensure inclusion with your application to our system.  You must verify that the documents are in the system with your application prior to final submission.

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