Merchant Mariner Evaluation Specialist (Engine)
What you'd do
This vacancy is for a GS-2101-12, Merchant Mariner Evaluation Specialist (Engine) located in the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard, NMC MARINER EXAMINATIONS BRANCH, Location Negotiable After Selection.
Major duties
You will serve as a Merchant Mariner Evaluation Specialist (Engine) and be responsible for developing new assessment content relevant to specific credentials and current industry standards and the maintenance and record keeping of all engine related knowledge assessment questions and modules administered to merchant mariner credential applicants in accordance with the Code of Federal Regulations. Being a Coast Guard civilian makes you a valuable member of the Coast Guard team. Typical work assignments include: Developing assessment questions and modules for all engineering credentials in the US maritime industry. Ensuring assessment quality by regularly reviewing and updating merchant mariner test questions and module content to confirm relevance to the intended endorsements being sought. Advising training industry contacts and program staff about merchant mariner regulatory requirements and policy. Providing input on training and assessment requirements for National and STCW endorsements. Providing customer service to mariners, marine industry, and program personnel to address challenges and feedback during the exam process. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. Reasonable Accommodation Information Open Continuous: You may update your application documents and some questions related to your personal information at any time during the announcement open period. Upon application, you may be provided a testing window to complete additional assessments. This testing window may stipulate a completion deadline before the announcement closes. It is your responsibility to complete the additional online assessments within the timeline provided to remain in consideration for this vacancy announcement. Failure to complete the online assessments within the testing window for this announcement will not preclude you from being considered for and completing the online assessments during a testing window on a future announcement. NOTE: This announcement has an open period until 10/29/2026, with applicant cut-off dates every 30 days. Applications received that meet the eligibility and qualification criteria may be referred for further consideration based on the following cut-off dates: Friday, August 28, 2026, Monday, September 28, 2026 and Wednesday, October 28, 2026.
What you need to qualify
Basic Requirements: This position has a positive Education Requirement in addition to at least one year of Specialized Experience or substitution of education for experience or combination (if applicable) in order to be found minimally qualified. Transcripts must be submitted with your application package. You MUST meet the following requirements: EDUCATION: Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- accounting, business administration, business or commercial law, commerce, economics, engineering, finance, industrial management, statistics, traffic management, transportation, motor mechanics, or other fields related to the position. OR Experience that demonstrated a knowledge of the transportation function(s) of the position to be filled. AND To qualify at the GS-12 grade level, your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the federal sector. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work. Examples of specialized experience include performing the following types of tasks on a regular basis. Managing the operation, maintenance, and repairing of shipboard engineering systems; Ensuring shipboard engineering operations complying with maritime laws, regulations, and safety standards; Using maintenance management systems to track and document engineering repairs and equipment history; AND Drafting technical correspondence, reports, or specifications related to marine engineering. NOTE: All experience statements (i.e., duties, specialized experience, or related applicable assessment) copied from this announcement and pasted into your resume will not be considered as a demonstration of your qualifications for this position. NOTE: Education cannot be substituted for experience at this grade level. Selective Placement Factor(s) must be met in order to receive further consideration. You will be given the opportunity to address these when you apply on-line. SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR: Applicant must hold or have held a U.S. Merchant Mariner credential in the grade of Second Assistant Engineer, Unlimited or higher or the equivalent military experience as Assistant Engineer Officer/Chief Engineer or higher and as a qualified Engineer of the Watch on vessels of greater than 4000 HP. National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): 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.
Before you apply
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