Pilot Tender
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
FreshPosted Feb 19
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Posted: February 18, 2026 (2 days ago)
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Pilot Tender
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Department of the Army
Location
Vicksburg, Mississippi
Salary
$32.45 - $37.84
per hour
Type
Closes
February 26, 2026More Army jobs →
Job Description
Summary
This job involves working as a pilot or apprentice on a towboat for the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, helping maintain and operate the vessel's engines, pumps, and electrical systems while supervising deckhands during shifts.
The role requires hands-on mechanical work in challenging conditions on inland waterways, with the work location depending on where the dredge is operating.
It's a good fit for someone with practical experience in machinery maintenance who is physically fit, comfortable with outdoor and hazardous environments, and eager to learn boating operations without needing close oversight.
Key Requirements
- Ability to perform full range of engine room tasks without more than normal supervision, including operating main propelling engines, pumping engines, and auxiliary pumps
- Skills in monitoring and maintaining oil levels, generators, gearboxes, temperatures, and fuel systems on vessels
- Experience with electric and electronic systems on boats and attendant plant machinery
- Physical ability to stand, stoop, bend, kneel, climb, and lift up to 40 pounds in tiring positions
- Willingness to work in hazardous conditions, including varying weather, noise, slippery decks, moving machinery, and risk of drowning or electrical shock
- Supervisory experience with deckhands during watch shifts
- U.S. citizenship and ability to demonstrate relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities through application materials
Full Job Description
About the Position: As a Pilot, Towboat, assigned to the Dredge Jadwin (Sanderford), the incumbent serves as an apprentice or pilot on an inland waterways towboat.
NOTE: The duty location of this position is wherever the Dredge Jadwin is located.
Who May Apply: US Citizens 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) Pilot Tender ~ without more than normal supervision which includes the ability to perform the full range of tasks associated with the engine room machinery and equipment including the main propelling engines, pumping engines, auxillary pumps, machinery on the vessel and attendant plant and electric/electronic systems; tasks associated with checking oil levels, monitoring generators, gearboxes, generator temperatures, and fuel levels- Failure to meet this Screen out Element will result in an ineligible rating.
WORKING CONDITIONS Work is performed inside and outside, subjecting employee to varying climatic conditions, abnormal noises, temperature, danger of burns, irritation from grease and oils, bruises, strains, dangers involved in attending moving machinery, possible drowning from falling overboard, electrical shock, falls on slippery decks or steep stairways, crankcase explosion.
PHYSICAL EFFORT Incumbent performs work from ladders, scaffolding, and platforms and where the parts, equipment, or systems are in hard-to-reach places.
Work requires the incumbent to stand, stoop, bend, kneel, climb, and work in a tiring and uncomfortable position.
Frequently lifts, carries, and sets up parts and equipment that weigh up to 40 pounds All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Major Duties:
- Supervises deckhands while on watch.
- Under general supervision of a Head Operator and/or other higher-grade employee who issues standing orders and special orders for shift operation.
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