DECKHAND.

About the role

This position requires handling rope lines and steel towing cables, caring for and renewing rope and cable, preparing light rigging, and making rope fenders. The Deckhand will also connect, disconnect, repair, and replace pipelines, assist in breaking up and making up tow, and perform other related tasks.

Responsibilities

• Handles rope lines and steel towing cables while making up or breaking a tow for fastening barges together when not in use and for securing floating plant.
• Cares for, renews, and splices rope and cable, prepares light rigging, makes rope fenders.
• Connects, disconnects, repairs and replaces pipelines.
• Assists in breaking up and making up tow.
• Disconnects shore pipe and secures on scows for removal to new location.
• Removes obstructions from the cutterhead pump and pipelines.
• Assists in running cable from cutterhead to swing anchor as required during operations.
• Cleans and lubricates deck machinery, working as helper to higher grade crew members in repair and overhaul of plant by dismantling and assembling equipment as directed.
• Repairs handrails, walkways, and other areas of vessel as assigned using tools such as wrenches, hammers, and saws.
• Chips rust from deck, removes old paint by means of paint remover, putties holes and crevices.
• Applies prime and finish coats on exterior of boat including hull, superstructure and deck equipment, interior walls, doors, and furniture.
• Washes deck with water hose and performs general housekeeping work in quarters.
• Loads and stores supplies on vessel.

Requirements

• Valid state driver's license required.
• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• This position meets the criteria for random drug and alcohol testing under the Department of Army Drug-Free Workplace Program.
• Successful completion of a pre-employment physical examination and annual physical examinations thereafter.
• Heavy lifting requirement of up to 50 lbs.
• Scheduled and/or unscheduled overtime requirements.
• Rotating shifts.
• Mission Essential position, requiring reporting for or remaining at work in emergency situations.
• Seasonal position, with annually recurring periods of work that typically last eight months each year.

Qualifications

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 and other organizations.

• Ability to do the work of Deckhand without more than normal supervision.
• Ability to perform common duties such as makeup/break up tows by handling lines/cables to couple barges together and uncouple them using rigging, barge ratchets, wire chokers, cheater bars, shackles, deck winches, and synthetic mooring lines.
• Making minor repairs to equipment and performs preventive maintenance such as checking all oils and fluids, air filters, batteries, monitoring gauges, and monitoring track condition and tension.
• Maintenance and repair tasks utilizing mechanical or electrical equipment.

Working Conditions

Work is performed inside and outside with the preponderance of time exposed to heat, cold, rain and snow. There is exposure to paint fumes, to eye injuries while chipping paint and rust, to physical injury while lifting heavy objects or slipping on decks and other surfaces, overhead loads, or falling overboard and drowning.

Physical effort is required in the handling of heavy equipment, and machinery. May lift up to 50 pounds or more. Work may involve long periods of standing, lifting, climbing, and walking.

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.