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Posted: February 17, 2026 (4 days ago)

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MATE TUG CLASS I

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Department of the Army

Fresh

Salary

$47.96 - $55.94

per hour

Type

Closes

March 19, 2026More Army jobs →

Job Description

Summary

This job involves working as a mate on a large diesel-powered tugboat used by the U.S.

Army Corps of Engineers, handling vessel operations, deck maintenance, and assisting with navigation in challenging conditions.

It's ideal for someone with hands-on experience in boating or maritime work who can follow directions and perform physical tasks under supervision.

The role suits reliable team players comfortable with outdoor, weather-exposed environments on the water.

Key Requirements

  • Ability to perform vessel operations without more than normal supervision
  • Experience in common maintenance of deck machinery
  • Ability to follow oral directions and interpret instructions for mobile equipment operation
  • Proficiency in using and maintaining tools and equipment
  • Moderate physical effort, including lifting up to 40 pounds and working in wet, slippery conditions
  • Tolerance for working conditions involving exposure to weather, machinery hazards, and potential falls overboard
  • Eligibility under specific federal employment authorities (e.g., current DoD civilians, veterans, military spouses)

Full Job Description

About the Position: Serves as Mate, of a diesel, Class I, tugboat over 65' feet in length, and displacing 500 gross tons, and has up to 2000 horsepower engine(s) or more.

Who May Apply: Only applicants who meet one of the employment authority categories below are eligible to apply for this job.

You will be asked to identify which category or categories you meet, and to provide documents which prove you meet the category or categories you selected.

See Proof of Eligibility for an extensive list of document requirements for all employment authorities.

Current Department of Army Civilian Employees Current Department of Defense (DOD) Civilian Employee (non-Army) Domestic Defense Industrial Base/Major Range and Test Facilities Base Civilian Personnel Workforce Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act Military Spouses, under Executive Order (E.O.) 13473 Non-Department of Defense (DoD) Transfer Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible Priority Placement Program, DoD MR and NG Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability Retirement Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Preference Eligible Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) of 1998 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. 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) MATE TUG CLASS I without more than normal supervision. I have the ability to perform operations of a vessel.

I can perform common maintenance to deck machinery.

I work under normal supervision of a work leader or journey-level employee who observes tasks in progress and upon completion to make sure they are properly performed.

- Failure to meet this Screen out Element will result in an ineligible rating.

Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision Ability to Follow Oral Directions Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc.

(Related to Mobile Equipment Operation) Ability to Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment Vessel Operations PHYSICAL EFFORT Work requires moderate physical effort when lifting up to 40 pounds for loading supplies, winch controls, and performing miscellaneous duties.

Work requires walking up and down stairs and ladders, bending, reaching, and standing for long periods. Moderate effort is required during general maintenance work.

Coordination of hands, eyes, body, and legs in needed to work safely on wet decks especially when anchored in exposed locations during storms.

Close hand and eye coordination is required when operating controls to maneuver vessel and tows in traffic and in confined or narrow areas.

WORKING CONDITIONS Work is performed inside and outside of the pilot house, on deck and in other locations of the vessel where there is danger of slipping and falling overboard and drowning.

There is exposure to traffic hazards, especially during foggy and inclement weather including high winds, rough seas, and strong currents and at night; A life jacket is worn at all times while on deck.

When making repairs employee is exposed to injuries resulting from working around moving machinery and in cramped quarters and may be exposed to fumes from the oil and lubricants used, danger of burns, irritation from grease and oils, bruises, and strains.

Responsible for operating vessel through channels, rivers and open water under conditions such as combative winds during open lake towing missions and crane operation; extreme currents in river system operations; open water operation to include over 50 miles from nearest harbor or safe refuge; critical open water operation subject to rapidly changing weather conditions, water levels, high waves, and potential for significant changes in under-keel clearance due to sudden lake level fluctuations; navigating under ice conditions during strike operation in early and late operating seasons; and operating narrow channel areas, congested vessel traffic, small shallow harbors.

Major Duties:

  • Ensures vessel is prepared to sail at the scheduled time, is seaworthy, properly crewed and fitted to accomplished assigned mission.
  • Serves as timekeeper for the crew members and assists the Master to evaluate the crew's performance.
  • Navigates the vessel during assigned watch.
  • Observes weather conditions, forecasts, barometer, wind velocity, and other weather indicators to determine suitableness for operation.
  • Works from plans or field notes showing location and extent of work to be performed in removing shoals from channel. Locates area and makes necessary arrangement for accomplishing work.
  • Enforces safety regulations and instructs crew both on safety work procedures and work practices peculiar to floating plant.
  • Assigns port watches for safety and security of vessel and creates the schedule and insures equitable assignment of these duties to employees.
  • Sets port watch schedule for safety and security of vessel. Ensures equitable assignment/rotation of workers.

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Posted on USAJOBS: 2/17/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 2/18/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: CEDB-26-12884841-MP