Summary
You will serve as a Small Craft Operator (Boat Captain) Channel Islands National Park. You may be required to travel overnight away from home up to 15 days per month for site visits. You must obtain a government charge card for travel purposes. First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the step 1 rate.Major Duties
Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following: Serves as captain on Ocean Ranger a 98-foot Camcraft 1650 horsepower, diesel powered triple screw oceangoing vessel across open ocean of the Santa Barbara Channel from the mainland headquarters to various offshore islands (28-126 miles round trip) on a weekly basis year-round. Serve as captain on Surf Ranger a 74-foot LCM-8 landing craft, 1200 horsepower diesel powered vessel with a 60-ton gross tonnage carrying capacity. This vessel lands vessels and equipment at various beach locations on the outer islands. Serve as captain on Sea Ranger ll a 58-foot diesel-powered twin-screw oceangoing vessel. Its primary role is live aboard/multiday, scientific monitoring cruises. Incumbent is required to have knowledge of the "Rules of the Road" pertaining to operating vessels both in protected harbors and open ocean of the Santa Barbara Channel. Operates and maneuvers the above vessels in tight coves, next to docks and piers live boating during passenger loading and offloading and crane operations in various weather and sea conditions at the varies island locations. Serve as Contracting Officers Technical Representative (COTR) during vessel haul outs, determines the need and extent of necessary repairs, prepares detailed specifications for repairs for the vessels haul out. Applies knowledge for the repair practices and procedures needed and ensures contractors follow all details in the contract and verified quantity and quality of workmanship. Direct the work of at least 1 and up to 3 employees of Channel Islands National Park as a crew in the operations of docking and undocking, live boating transfer of personnel and cargo at the various islands.Education
There is no substitution of education for experience for Federal Wage System (FWS) positions.Requirements
Must be a U.S. Citizen or National. Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication. Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service. Direct Deposit participation required. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, visit www.dhs.gov/EVerify/. Must have and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment. Must possess and maintain a U.S. Coast Guard 100 ton Marine License. Must obtain and maintain a Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR) within 1 year of employment. Must obtain and maintain SCUBA Open Water Diver certification within 1 year of employment. Pre-employment and random alcohol and drug testing are required. You will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive test is received. A financial disclosure report will be required within 30 days of appointment. You must pass a physical examination. You are required to wear a uniform and comply with the uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided. You are required to complete training, obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority. You are required to obtain and maintain a Motorboat Operator Certification Course (MOCC). *Additional Requirements located under qualifications*Evaluations
A review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses provided in the Assessment Questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation, you will be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score will be adjusted accordingly. If a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications or experience, you can lose consideration for this position. Your resume must not exceed 2 pages. Only the document submitted as the "Resume" under the Documents section will be used to determine your qualifications/eligibility and for rating purposes. In the event you submit more than one resume, only the latest submission will be reviewed. Candidates will be rated and ranked using Category Rating procedures. These procedures place candidates with veteran's preference above non-preference eligibles within each category. Veterans with a service-connected disability of at least 10 percent are listed in the highest quality category. Under Category Rating, candidates will be rated and ranked into the following categories: Best Qualified - applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are highly proficient in all requirements of the job and can perform effectively in the position Well Qualified - applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in most of the requirements of the job Qualified - applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in some, but not all of the requirements of the job. You will be evaluated on the following competencies and/or job elements: Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision (SCREEN OUT) Ability to Drive Safely (Motor Vehicles) Ability To Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (related to mobile equipment operation) Ability To Operate Safely (Non-Motor Vehicle) Operation of Motor Vehicles Reliability and Dependability Work Practices (including keeping things neat, clean, and in order) Veterans' preference will be based solely on the claimed preference. Your eligibility will not be changed based on the documentation provided. If you are uncertain which preference to claim, you can learn more by visiting the VetGuide. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Providing false or misleading information on your resume or supporting documentation may result in removal from consideration or other action consistent with applicable federal hiring regulations. Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position.How to Apply
Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments and submit all required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the 10/14/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows: Click the Apply Online button. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. To PREVIEW the application questionnaire, select the following link:https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13078685 Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date. To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To view the announcement status or your application status, visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/status. Applicants who apply under this job opportunity announcement agree to have their application, associated documents and applicable personal information shared with other Bureaus/Offices within the Department of the Interior (DOI) who have vacancies within the same occupational series, grade, full performance level and in the same geographic location(s), including within the same metro/commuting area. Applying to this announcement does not replace the need to apply to other job opportunity announcements for which you wish to receive consideration.What to Expect Next
Please refer to your USAJOBS account for application status; the Human Resources Office cannot respond to individual status inquiries. Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application. You can find your path with the Department of Interior at https://careers.doi.gov/. Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempt to conceal information may disqualify you for employment consideration. We may verify all information you provide in your resume and questionnaire responses, through reference and/or background checks, and/or verification of your education. If you are selected, you will be contacted personally by the Human Resources Office posting this announcement.Required Documents
The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 10/14/2026 unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement: Resume which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed. If military or civilian, please include your rank and/or grade. Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted. The minimum font size is 10-point for all body text. All resumes must maintain a minimum 0.5-inch margins on all sides to ensure readability and prevent excessive content compression. Including supplemental pages or attachments disguised as resume extensions are prohibited and will not be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications. Your 2-page resume must contain information sufficient to make a valid determination that you fully meet the qualification requirements. More information on how to write a Federal Resume: https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include Complete Required Assessment(s). Documentation that meet the selective factor. Veterans Preference Documentation, if applicable. Veterans must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (member 4 copy) or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions, as listed on the SF15. If you are a Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, or Parent or Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Veteran, you must submit all additional proof required by the SF15, and if applicable, a completed SF15. You may request a copy of your Department of Veterans Affairs letter from www.va.gov/records/ or call 1-800-827-1000. If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active-duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, & 6) dated within 120 days of your separation. Interagency Career Transition (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP): You MUST submit proof of eligibility including 1) copy of the agency notice, e.g., RIF Separation Notice, Notice of Proposed Removal, etc.; 2) SF-50s (Notifications of Personnel Action) showing career/conditional tenure competitive status, promotion potential and duty location; and 3) your most recent performance appraisal. To exercise selection priority, displaced or surplus Federal employees must be well qualified. For more information visit: USAJOBS Help Center - Career Transition Programs (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL). Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted. Do not submit photographs with your application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from all documents. Do not upload Adobe portfolio documents. Adobe portfolio documents are not viewable by our agency's staffing offices.Other Information
Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement. Physical Demands: The work involves prolonged standing and constant mental application and alertness; is subject to strains, bruises, cuts, mashed hands and feet, bums, falling overboard, drowning, and other marine traffic hazards; during poor weather conditions, anchor watches must be used to prevent hazards to vessel or passengers; incumbent may sustain long periods without sleep; combination of sea and weather conditions can cause susceptibility to motion sickness; lifting, loading and unloading supplies and cargo required incumbent to be in good physical shape; SCUBA operations require good physical conditions and an annual physical examination; and the incumbent exerts moderate to heavy physical effort lifting items weighing up to 100 pounds. Working Conditions: The incumbent will be exposed to the prevailing weather for long periods of time including hot sun, fog, rain, spray, wind, and heavy sea spray. Conditions and routine day to-day situations may arise that may require the incumbent to work in cramped, dirty, slippery quarters, compartments and loud engine rooms. The incumbent may be exposed to possible falls on deck and the possibility of falling overboard. The incumbent will be required to work while the vessel is under way with decks awash and the vessel in storm-tossed sea conditions and must meet and maintain NPS-4 physical condition standards for scuba diving operations. All Department of Interior (DOI) employees, their spouses, and minor children may not acquire or retain any claim, permit, lease, small tract entry, or other rights granted by the Department in Federal lands, with limited exceptions. Additional ethics prohibitions can be found here, https://www.doi.gov/ethics/ethics-prohibitions. Current or former displaced Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, you must be well-qualified, score at least 85 (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements), and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry.
