Open to all qualified United States citizens. Relocation expenses are not authorized for this position.

Effective July 14, 2021 - Recruitment Incentive may be authorized.  OMAO is authorizing a Recruitment Bonus up to $10,000.00 for eligible applicants for a two (2) year service commitment. 

Requirements: OMAO shipboard employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 regardless of the employee’s duty location or work arrangement (e.g., telework, remote work, etc.), subject to such exceptions as required by law. If selected, you will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination by November 22, 2021 or before appointment or onboarding with the agency, if after November 22. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request of the agency a legally required exception from this requirement.

The Referral Bonus is only available to eligible NOAA employees.

The General Vessel Assistant (GVA) performs work in the Deck, Engine and Steward Departments.

Assigned to the Deck Department, the GVA (Ordinary Seaman) is an unlicensed entry level member of the Deck Department crew.  Performs work pertaining to general maintenance, repair, sanitation, and upkeep of material, equipment, and areas that are the responsibility of the Deck Department.  General maintenance consists of, but not limited to: chipping, scaling, priming, sounding and/or cleaning of the ship’s hull, decks, superstructure, cargo area, smokestack, rescue boats, lifeboats, emergency and damage control gear, and working aloft. This includes sweeping, sougeeing and conducting wash downs in general, and the storing and proper disposal of trash and garbage.  Maintenance of fishing gear.  May stand helm and lookout watches steering ship under supervision of Office of the Deck.  Performs other duties as assigned.  Responsible for the cleaning and maintenance of the common areas (bathrooms, passageways, etc.) assigned to the deck department.  Operates deck machinery and otherwise assists with deployment of scientific equipment, small boats, and nets.  Operates cranes and forklifts, handles gangways and stores and otherwise assists with deck operations.

Assigned to the Steward Department, the GVA (Messman) is an unlicensed entry level member of the Steward Department.  Performs general hotel service work such as food handling, food preparation, washing dishes, and serving meals, busing tables and cleaning the gallery and mess deck. Responsible for the cleaning and maintenance of the common areas (bathrooms, passageways, etc.) and assisting the Chief Steward with daily provisions on all of NOAA research vessels.  Performs other duties as assigned.

Assigned to the Engine Department, the GVA (Wiper) is an unlicensed entry level member of the Engine Department.  Maintain working and storage area by wiping down machinery and cleaning oil spills; Responsible for cleaning and preservation of engine department spaces, systems, equipment and equipment components. Clean grease traps, incinerators and tanks. Receive and carry out instructions of supervisors to clean and/or preserve engine department spaces, system equipment and equipment components. Use chemicals for cleaning, such as detergents, solvents and preservatives such as paint. Use tools such as chipping hammers, scrapers, needle guns, paint brushes, wire brushes, brooms and mops, and is familiar in the use of hand and power tools (i.e. drills, saws, wrenches, hammers, chisels, etc.); Assist in dismantling and repairing machinery.  Can be assigned to clean spaces outside of the engineering department (e.g. cleaning and painting staterooms).  Perform and assist in performance of preventative maintenance supervised or unsupervised depending on complexity of task.  Painting and cleaning around and under equipment, bulkheads, overheads, soles, and containments.  Assist in all fueling operations and preparing the ship for sea, including in the taking on and off loading of fresh water, lube oil, fuel oil, and with the connecting and disconnecting all shore services.

LICENSING AND/OR CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:  Must possess a United States Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential with Entry Level ratings (OS/Wiper, SU).  Must possess a United States Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential with Medical Certificate.

General Vessel Assistants assigned as Messman - Must possess ServSafe – Food Handler Certificate or equivalent

As a conditional of employment, your position will be a Mixed Tour position. Mixed Tour of duty is a combination of full time, part time and intermittent work schedules which allows the best utilization of resources based on the work requirements of the organization. You will be required to sign a Mixed Tour Agreement.

Once selected, you may be sent to any vessel nationwide. There is no guarantee that you will be assigned to any particular vessel or geographic location, however, your duty location will be determined by your home of record or ship’s home port. Duty locations are Norfolk, VA; Charleston, SC; Woods Hole, MA; Pascagoula, MS; Newport, OR; Kodiak, AK; Ketchikan, AK; San Diego, CA; Honolulu, HI; Newport, RI; New Castle, NH.

Salary will be determined by locality and class of vessel.

A two year Trial period may be required.

Applicant must be able to obtain and hold a US Passport.

Must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable www.sss.gov

Applicant must be a United States citizen of at least 18 years of age.

Must be suitable for Federal employment.

Attend and successfully complete all mandatory training courses.

Be ready, willing, and able to physically perform the duties of this position.

Be ready, willing, and able to work in a shipboard environment and wear protective equipment.

Applicants who meet the minimum eligibility requirements described above will be further evaluated. Documented knowledge, skills, and abilities, education, training, and awards contained in the application package and resume will be reviewed and rated to determine the degree to which applicants possess the required knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below that are essential to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position for which applications are being considered.

GVA/Ordinary Seaman

1. Ability to perform general maintenance and repair on deck equipment.
2. Knowledge of shipboard safety, including lifesaving and firefighting equipment, methods, and techniques.
3. Ability to operate gear and equipment (winches, cranes, booms, Material Handling Equipment (MHE) etc.
4. Ability to understand and follow directions.

GVA/Messman

1. Knowledge of general housekeeping, janitorial, cleaning services and sanitation.
2. Knowledge of food preparation/service methods.
3. Knowledge of basic receipt, stow, issue/breakout and inventory processing for subsistence items and stock material.
4. Ability to understand and follow directions.

GVA/Wiper

1. Knowledge of cleaning and preservation of equipment and materials.
2. Knowledge of shipboard safety procedures.
3. Skill in operating manual and electrical hand tools.
4. Ability to understand and follow directions.

Applicants must submit their application through OMAO's Wage Mariner Hiring Portal.

Any questions may be directed to the Civilian Personnel Management Division via email at moc.recruiting@noaa.gov

In addition to meeting the minimum conditions of employment, you will be required to scan and upload files of the following documents:

1. Front and back of United States Coast Guard Merchant Mariner’s Credential (MMC), United States Coast Guard license, and STCW certificate.

2. Relevant professional certificates as applicable for this position i.e. American Culinary Federation (ACF), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Universal, Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), Security Plus, College Degree, etc.

3. If you are a current or former federal government employee, a copy of your most recent Notice of Personnel Action (SF-50).

4. If you served in the U.S. military service, you must provide a copy of your Certificate of Discharge (DD-214) that shows the type of discharge you received. This information is located under the “Character of Service” block of your DD-214. If you are claiming 10 points or higher veteran’s preference you must provide supporting documentation such as a completed Application for Preference (SF-15) www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf.

Additional information on veteran’s preference is available at http://www.fedshirevets.gov/

You will also be required to provide a copy of the VA Rating Decisions for 10point consideration.

5. Job related honors, awards, and special accomplishments; for example, military, government or recognized professional organizations related to the maritime field and performance awards. You will be able to upload and store versions of these documents in your secure online profile.

NOTE: It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the documents scanned and uploaded are legible.

Applicants may be interviewed prior to being selected for employment.

This vacancy announcement is open continuously with periodic cutoffs

Failure to provide the required information requested for this position will adversely affect your eligibility. Federal job applicants who make a false statement in any part of the application could be turned down for the job; removed after beginning work; or subject to fine, imprisonment (U.S. Code, title 18, section 1001), or other disciplinary action.

NOAA is an Equal Opportunity Employer

All applicants meeting minimum qualifications will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.