Clarification from the agency

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

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• Directs the making and breaking of tows from the pilothouse or bridge.
• Assists with general maintenance and housekeeping duties to ensure the vessel is always kept clean and organized.
• Receives oral or written instructions pertaining to plant, equipment, materials, and supplies to be moved or other missions for which vessel is utilized.
• Conduct pilot's watch with the responsibility for the overall operation of the vessel and safety of the plant and personnel while on watch.
• Operate controls governing navigation of the vessel and its tow.
• Steers the vessel from the pilot house using pilot house controls for proper speed and direction considering factors such as river currents, direction and velocity of wind, depth of water, size of tow, and capacity and maneuverability of the vessel.
• Participates in and occasionally conducts safety meetings and drills to ensure all assigned crew are trained and proficient in responding to vessel emergencies.

Conditions of employment

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.

Qualifications

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

If you are currently a permanent, Federal employee or have other appointment eligibility(s) as an internal candidate, apply for this vacancy number RECE256666272228for status candidates.

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.

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) Pilot Towboat~ without more than normal supervision. Operating uninspected Towing Vessels upon the Western Rivers with Radar Observer (Rivers) endorsement or as Master of Towing Vessels upon the Western Rivers with Radar Observer (Rivers) endorsement. Experience working unsupervised as a towboat pilot operating and maintaining diesel driven inland river style towboats measuring over 100 feet in length and with over 2000 horsepower. Operating passenger vessels or towboats moving conventional barges and other marine equipment. Acting as lead deckhand while assembling or securing tows and competent using lines with capstans, winches and typical deck fittings. Reading and interpreting navigation charts and maps and remain up to date on marine regulations issued by the U.S. Coast Guard. Possession of a good working knowledge of marine equipment, propulsion systems and auxiliary systems. Checking machinery operation and performing minor routine maintenance. Conducting routine inspections of vessels to ensure safety and serviceability. Performing routine maintenance of the vessel to include scrapping and painting, line repairs and splicing.- Failure to meet this Screen out Element will result in an ineligible rating.

• PHYSICAL EFFORT: The work of this position is sedentary in nature. Close hand and eye coordination is required when operating controls to maneuver vessel and tows in traffic and in confined areas. Extensive standing and walking may be necessary while standing watch.
• WORKING CONDITIONS: Work is primarily performed inside in an enclosed pilothouse but also requires work outside of the pilothouse, subjecting the incumbent to varying climatic conditions. Hazards include occasional danger of falling overboard, falls on slippery decks or in climbing steep stairways, and injury from moving machinery. A life jacket is worn at all times when on deck. The incumbent is subject to hazards of heavy river traffic at night and during foggy weather.

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.

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. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

You should list any relevant performance appraisals and incentive awards in your resume as that information may be taken into consideration during the selection process. If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation.

You may claim Priority Placement Program (PPP) preference.

DoD Priority Placement Program (PPP) Applicants will receive preference consideration at the full-performance grade level only.

Only PPP applicants currently occupying a formal training program position are entitled to exercise their priority status.

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.