Merchant Mariner Course Evaluator (Deck)

Summary

This vacancy is for a GS-2101-12, Merchant Mariner Course Evaluator (Deck) located in the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard, NMC MARINER COURSE APPROVALS BRANCH.

Duties

You will serve as a Merchant Mariner Course Evaluator (Deck) and be responsible for routine application of established policies and guidelines and contributes to the refinement of examination processes and recommendations for improvements. Provides technical advice and recommendations to support the implementation of policies and procedures in alignment with the U.S. Mariner Credentialing Program (MCP). Being a Coast Guard civilian makes you a valuable member of the Coast Guard team. Typical work assignments include: Evaluating the maritime technical subject matter of courses and programs curricula. Evaluating the maritime technical competence and proficiency of individuals applying to be approved as instructors, Qualified Assessors (QAs), and/or Delegated Examiners )(DE). Providing recommendations for improving the course approval process based on knowledge of governing regulations and policies. Preparing authoritative and explicit responses to Congressional, governmental agency, and public inquiries concerning training qualifications of merchant vessel personnel. 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 10/02/2026, 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: Monday, August 3, 2026, Wednesday, September, 2, 2026 AND Friday, October 2, 2026.

Qualifications

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: Demonstrating serving aboard a vessel or directly supporting afloat operations, applying knowledge of shipboard operations, marine navigation, and the roles responsibilities of vessel personnel to perform assigned duties; Drafting professional correspondence and preparing technical materials tailored to the maritime industry; AND Interpreting and applying international and U.S. laws, regulations, and policies. 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: Applicant must hold or have held a U.S. Merchant Mariner credential in the grade of 2nd Mate, Any Gross Tons (AGT) or higher or Master 1600 tons any waters or higher or military equivalent DWO 1600 GRT or higher. 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.

Education

This position does not have a positive education requirement. If you are including education on your resume, report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. See Required Documents section for detail. Are you qualifying based on education? Submit a copy of your college transcript (unofficial is acceptable) from an accredited institution. Once selected & prior to appointment, applicants must provide an official college transcript. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the U.S. (see FOREIGN EDUCATION below). College Transcript: If this position requires specific educational course work to qualify, or you are qualifying based in whole or part on education, you are required to provide all unofficial transcripts (undergraduate, graduate, etc.) by the closing date of this announcement or you will be disqualified from further consideration. Transcripts should be legible and detailed, showing course number and department (i.e., bio 101, math 210, etc.), course title, number of credit hours, and grade earned. If course content cannot be easily identified from the title of the course as listed on your transcript, you must submit an official course description from the college/university that reflects the content at the time the course was taken. FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States. To receive this credit, you must submit evidence of equivalency as provided by a credentialling evaluation service. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence with your application. See Recognition of Foreign Qualifications click here Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered. Student Loan - Selectee(s) for this position who are newly appointed to a permanent or term position may be eligible for student loan repayme