Ferry Able Seaman (24-02-4)

Maine Department of Transportation  

Salary: $21.50 to $27.30/hourly *This includes a 30% stipend*  (Salary Schedule) 

Office/Bureau: Maine State Ferry Service

Location: Rockland, ME 

Position Number: 02500-3337 & 02500-3338

Opening Date: April 9, 2024

Closing Date: April 24, 2024

Job Description:  

This position serves as an Able-Bodied Seaman aboard one of our Ferry vessels. While headquartered in beautiful Rockland, Maine, the Maine State Ferry Service offers transportation to and from several of Maine’s Island communities. Candidates could be assigned to one of the following vessel routes: Vinalhaven, Northaven, Swans Island or Islesboro.

Ferry Able Seamen work a rotating schedule consisting of 7 days on duty followed by 7 days off duty with overtime opportunities available. When on duty, crews are required to stay on the island in which their vessel is assigned. Employees who do not reside on the island are permitted to utilize state owned housing equipped with cable, free parking, and other amenities. Employees receive   a per-diem allowance for meals that is non- taxable income. Typical daily duties include, but are not limited to,: Handles mooring lines during docking/undocking operations; verifies and collects boarding tickets and assists in the loading/unloading of passengers and vehicles including chocking/un-chocking of vehicle wheels and operating the transfer bridge; cleans/paints interior and exterior vessel structure, gear, and equipment, passageways and compartments on or above the main deck; actively participates in safety drills and operations including the swinging out, lowering, handling, and retrieval of lifeboats; stands helm and lookout watches in wheelhouse; and performs security duties IAW the Vessel Security Plan.

Candidates must possess a valid U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariners Document (MMD) with AB endorsement (unlimited, limited, or special) and a TWIC (Transportation Workers Identification Credential) in order to be considered for this position. The applicant selected for hire must submit to and pass pre-employment drug screening as outlined in 49CFR Part 40. Applicants must be physically capable of performing all duties of Ferry Able Seaman and, at the Department’s discretion, submit to and pass a pre-employment physical.

To be minimally qualified for this position candidates must provide evidence of the following experience:

 Experience as a deck crew member of vessels operating on ocean or coastal routes.

Licensing/Registration/Certification Requirements:

U.S. Coast Guard certificate as able seaman and lifeboatman.

Required to have a current TWIC Card - Transportation Worker Identification Credential Card. Card is provided by TSA -Transportation Security Administration.

Application Instructions:

Interested applicants need to apply online by clicking the "Apply for this Opening/Apply Now" button along with uploading a cover letter, current resume, and any applicable copies of post-secondary transcripts, licensing, registration and certifications. 

*For general questions or if you require a paper application, please contact MaineDOT Human Resources at 207-624-3050 or via email atjobs.DOT@maine.gov

Why join our team?

No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:

• Work-Life Fit – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
• Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums ($10,523.28-$12,380.40 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State. 
• Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($350.40 annual value).
• Retirement Plan – The State contributes the equivalent of 13.41% of the employee's pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS). 

State employees are eligible for an extensive and highly competitive benefits package, covering many aspects of wellness. Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness.

Note: Benefits may vary somewhat according to specific collective bargaining agreements and are prorated for part-time employment.

There's a job and then there's purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role. 

As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics. 

If you’re looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we’d love to hear from you. Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

Thinking about applying?

Research shows that people from historically excluded communities tend to apply to jobs only when they check every box in the posting. If you’re currently reading this and hesitating to apply for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! Let us know how your lived experience and passion set you apart.