This position is located in the Office of Lock Operations and is established to schedule vessel transits through Eisenhower and Snell Locks and to obtain/exchange transiting data, primarily in Sectors II and IV. Incumbent works rotating twelve-hour shifts.
To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet either the education or specialized experience requirements for the grade at which you are requesting consideration. To qualify for the GS-11 on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-09 it must include: Experience with maritime navigation, weather, vessel maneuvering characteristics and capabilities, environmental threats, and the unique aspects of the marine geography in the area involving the use of technology to provide critical information and guidance to the master, pilot, or person in charge of vessels; such as working in a commercial maritime transportation facility or terminal which involved regulating maritime vessels utilizing Federal, State, and municipal regulations governing the use of maritime vessels. To qualify for the GS-11 on Education alone, you must have: 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. Education must have major field of study in accounting, business administration, business or commercial law, commerce, economics, engineering, finance, industrial management, statistics, traffic management, transportation, motor mechanics, nautical science, marine affairs, marine engineering, marine transportation, or other fields related to the position. You must submit copies of your transcripts. You can also qualify based on a combination of higher level graduate education and experience. This must be fully supported by your resume and transcripts, provided with your application. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: Attention to Detail - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail. Computer Skills - Uses computers, software applications, databases, and automated systems to accomplish work. Information Management - Identifies a need for and knows where or how to gather information; organizes and maintains information or information management systems. Teamwork - Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals. For all types of consideration, 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. For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e4 Students enrolled in a qualifying degree program can apply if the anticipated graduation date is within six months of closing date of the announcement. Graduation transcript must be received before start date. Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
The Vessel Traffic Controller: Schedules vessels through the locks in a manner which maximizes utilization of the locks and avoids unnecessary vessel delays. Advises pilots/masters of traffic patterns in Sector II. and IV. Coordinates action with appropriate lock personnel. Records information regarding position, cargo, and other pertinent vessel and transit information in appropriate computer databases. Provides technical guidance and trains new employees. Directs vessels to take specific action during incidents, reduced visibility or other emergency situations. Takes initial response action for non-routine incidents and situations. During emergency response situations, receives and dispatches information and makes contacts in an accurate and timely manner, as set forth in the Emergency Response Plan and Vessel Traffic Management Services manual. Obtains/exchanges transiting data with Canadian counterparts, transmits/receives data using various equipment i.e., computers, telephone, radios, etc. to provide services in Sector II and Sector IV. May contact pilot dispatchers to communicate information in ordering pilots and provision of updates pertaining to pilot requirements. Contacts U.S.C.G., Border Patrol, Customs, Marshals office, medical personnel or others, as required, for services within Sector II and Sector IV. Initiates search actions, as appropriate. The ideal candidate for this position gained professional maritime experience working in the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Seaway system. The movements of traffic were managed safely and efficiently ensuring that vessel traffic was properly informed, advised, or directed in order to reduce the probability or collisions, rammings, groundings, and ensuing environmental damage.