Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Chief Boatswain

Average Salary: *$122,513

* Average annual salary includes overtime, penalty pay estimate, room and meal allowance estimate, and base salary.

Base Salary (excluding OT estimate, Retention Bonus, Penalty Pay estimate, & COMSUB estimate): $74,071 to $79,034

 

EXPLORE OPPORTUNITIES

DUTIES

The Chief Boatswain is the manager of the Unlicensed Deck Department, responsible for planning all department activities, managing the budget and inventory control of the department and assisting the chain of command in mission planning and execution in relation to deck operations. The Chief Boatswain will report to the Executive Officer/ First Officer. The Chief Boatswain will assist the Safety Officer in maintaining all Safety Equipment aboard and ensuring the safety equipment is being properly utilized by crew and visiting science party personnel. The Chief Boatswain will work directly with the Chief Engineer to ensure deck equipment maintenance, repair and ship-wide work requests are being tracked properly within the Ship's Maintenance Management System. Responsible for ensuring all equipment is in good working order and department inventory levels are maintained at sufficient levels. Develop departmental instructions and ensure all department personnel are trained in accordance with proper procedures and techniques. Work directly with Command to ensure Environmental compliance and adherence to all applicable laws, Federal and agency regulations and Commanding Officers/Master Standing Orders. As the Department head, it is expected that the Chief Boatswain will comply with all instructions pertaining to the Personnel Administration, Financial Accountability, EEO and assuring proper timekeeping and leave planning for crewmembers.

As the senior unlicensed deck member, responsible for the proper maintenance and operation of deck department areas and the safety and cleanliness of all deck work areas and stowage spaces, and ensuring the safety of subordinates when performs docking, undocking, and anchoring duties. All duties assigned are with due regard to local, Federal and Command environmental / pollution regulations. The Chief Boatswain will assist in maintenance management system requirements; provides input for Maintenance & Repair projects for the master voyage repair list; and maintains a running inventory of ongoing work projects. The Chief Boatswain will oversee the care, upkeep, and proper rigging of all deck equipment; the safe launch/recovery of all boats, the safe and efficient loading/offloading/stowage of all deck supplies, cargo, scientific equipment; and all operations involving crew working aloft or over the side. Maintains running inventory and daily work logs related to supplies, tools, equipment, maintenance, repairs; to include allocated and utilized overtime money.

The Chief Boatswain is responsible for the safety of deck crewmembers, ensuring crewmembers wear protective clothing and use of protective equipment when performing hazardous work and are properly dressed for the job at hand, including proper protection from the weather. Provide training to deck personnel in their daily work duties and for their emergency station assignments. Responsible to immediately report any accidents, injuries, safety hazards, etc. to Command. Ensures that all deck personnel are familiar with NOAA/OMAO policy concerning pollution.

The Chief Boatswain will evaluate and train all unlicensed deck personnel to standards identified and ensure the unlicensed deck crew have the knowledge and skills to perform all assigned duties safely and successfully. Work directly with Ship's Command to identify needs to create department budget and manage appropriately.

The Chief Boatswain shall execute project and scientific mission/operations per project instructions. Additionally incumbent must coordinate daily operations with scientific parties, and other support units. Responsible for pre and post cruise project planning with all other parties.

Coordinate with scientific parties to handle, collect and deliver scientific samples in accordance with Chief Scientist directions and project instructions.

The Chief Boatswain will serve as Small Boat Officer and conduct training on Fast Rescue Boats, small boat coxswain and maintain the small boats in accordance with USCG and NOAA rules and regulations.

The Chief Boatswain will provide specialized technical expertise in the areas of marine deck work and gear deployment operations.

 

MINIMUM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

LICENSING AND/OR CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

  1. Able Seaman Special, Limited, or Unlimited endorsement on the U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential.
  2. Current STCW certificate II/4 Able Seaman, Rating Forming Part of Navigation Watch (RFPNW) Able Seaman.
  3. Must possess a United States Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential with Medical Certificate.
  4. Must be NOAA Small Boat Coxswain Qualified or equivalent.
  5. Must have one (1) year experience as Boatswain Group Leader or equivalent.

 

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

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.
 

- Must be suitable for Federal employment. (Pass pre-employment drug test, security and physical examination).
- 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. (Pass pre-employment drug test, security and physical examination).
- PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Physical requirements in accordance with OMAO Medical Policy. USCG Medical Clearance examinations are required to include a pre-placement examination(s) as a condition of employment per OMAO policy. All Mariners must meet immunization requirements. Position is subject to Health and Human Services (HHS) and Department of Transportation (DOT) randomized drug testing.
- SECURITY REQUIREMENTS: Employee must obtain and maintain appropriate security clearance for the Survey Technician position. Position is designated as a Safety-Sensitive.
- 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.
 

NOTE: The tentative offer of employment will be rescinded if the selectee fails to report to any of the scheduled appointments - fails the physical examination, fails the drug test, suitability or unable to obtain the required security clearance.

 

EVALUATION CRITERIA

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.

  1. Knowledge and ability to operate, maintain, train crewmembers on Fast Rescue Boats, RHIB Boats, lifeboats and recovery procedures.
  2. Knowledge of shipboard safety, including lifesaving and firefighting equipment, methods and techniques.
  3. Knowledge and skill in operating material handling equipment, winches, forklifts, booms, davits, etc.
  4. Ability to plan, organize and direct the work of others, to include fishing operations, i.e. trawling, repair of fishing gear and deployment of scientific equipment.
  5. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.


 

DISCLAIMER

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.
 

United States