Merchant Mariner Evaluation Specialist (Deck)

About the role

This vacancy is for a GS-2101-12, Merchant Mariner Evaluation Specialist (Deck) located in the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard, NMC MARINER EXAMINATIONS BRANCH in location negotiable after selection.

What you will do

• You will serve as a Merchant Mariner Evaluation Specialist (Deck) and be responsible for providing advice and administration on the regulatory provisions and controls for the examinations of the merchant mariner credentialing program with specific emphasis on merchant marine personnel examinations and the development of knowledge-based competency examinations and examination systems.
• Being a Coast Guard civilian makes you a valuable member of the Coast Guard team.
• Typical work assignments include: Aids in the development and revision of merchant marine deck examination questions by researching technical publications and regulations to create examination materials that reflect current maritime practices.
• Assists with item analysis by reviewing test item data, providing feedback to training providers based on analysis results, and helping to update test items as directed by senior staff.
• Addresses internal and external inquiries regarding credentialing and examination policies, responding to comments and challenges on exam questions under the guidance of senior staff on complex issues.
• Contributes to the examination creation and maintenance process by assisting with assessment structures, utilization, and disposition to support an effective and economical assessment program.
• Working with senior specialists, helps to reconcile inconsistencies in examination processes, monitors performance metrics, and suggests improvements related to identified trends.
• 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 11/17/2026, 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: Thursday, September 17, 2026, Monday, October 19, 2026 AND Tuesday, November 17, 2026

Requirements

• All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
• Do NOT include the following types of information in your resume: Social Security Number (SSN) Date of Birth (DOB) Photos of yourself (if included on your resume you will not be considered for this position) Personal information: such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc. Key Requirements: Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Must be registered or exempt from the Selective Service.
• See *** A one-year probationary period may be required.
• To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy.
• To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully pass a background investigation.
• This position does not require a clearance.
• This is not a Bargaining Unit position.
• Time-in-Grade requirement must be met by the closing date of the vacancy.
• All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit.
• The Office of Personnel management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees.
• If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule, C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Education

This position does 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 repayment up to $10,000 (pre-tax) for one calendar year. More than one loan may be repaid if the combined repayments do not exceed $10,000. Receipt of this incentive will require a three-year service agreement.

How you will be evaluated

We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. If you meet the minimum qualifications, your experience, education and training, along with any applicable assessments, will be rated. The best qualified candidates will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be invited for an interview.

The necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities to perform this job are: Attention to Detail Customer Service Decision Making Flexibility Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Reading Comprehension Reasoning Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork To preview the announcement questionnaire, click here: *** Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration.

Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment, the veteran must be 1) be a preference eligible; or 2) be a veteran separated after 3 or more years of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions.

In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement. (Note: Veteran's preference does not apply under Merit Promotion procedures. View VEOA information on Feds Hire Vets.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) documentation. CTAP and ICTAP Eligibles: CTAP candidates will be eligible for selection priority if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position.

If you are a Federal employee in the competitive service and your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority for this position. Individuals must be well-qualified by attaining at least a rating of 85 out of 100.

Information about CTAP and ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management's Career Transition Resources website.

Documents you must provide

• Limit your resume to no more than two pages.
• The USAJOBS database will not allow an applicant to submit an application that includes a resume over two pages.
• You will not be considered for this vacancy if your resume is illegible/unreadable.
• Resume showing relevant work/volunteer experience, education, and training.
• Include start and end dates (mm/yy to mm/yy) and number of hours per week worked/volunteered.
• For additional information on your resume, see How to Apply.
• SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Time in Grade and/or Eligibility): You must submit a copy of your most recent SF-50(s) that verify your eligibility for consideration as a current or former federal applicant; and Your SF-50 must verify your highest competitive grade, time-in-grade, your current promotion potential or full performance level & proof of permanent appointment if applying based on an interchange agreement.
• DO NOT submit an award SF-50 or pay adjustment SF-50 as these often do not verify grade or eligibility.
• For consideration for a promotion, Box 4 of the SF-50 must show a date that is at least 52 weeks prior to the job announcement closing.
• Recommend submitting your last promotion SF-50 or within-grade increase SF-50.
• Are you qualifying based on education?
• If yes, transcripts are required.
• See Education for additional information on required documents.
• Veterans' preference documentation (Member Copy 4 of DD-214, Revised October 2013 SF-15 and VA letter, if applicable.
• NOTE: The revised October 2013 SF-15 is the latest copy & all others are not usable.
• Please see Feds Hire Vets for detail.
• Veterans claiming 5 point veterans' preference must submit legible Member 4 Copy DD214(s) indicating Character of Service.
• 30% Disabled Veterans must submit their Member Copy 4 DD-214(s), which includes Character of Service, and VA Disability Letter with percentage of disability OR documentation of disability determination from a branch of the Armed Forces which reflects a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more.
• Other 10 point Preference Eligibles must submit applicable Member Copy 4 DD-214(s), which includes Character of Service, & provide documentation of 10 point preference described on the back of the SF-15.
• If you are a current active duty military member who does not have a DD214 & is claiming eligibility under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the Armed Forces indicating you will be discharged/released under honorable conditions from active duty within 120 days from the date you submit your certification as part of your application for this announcement.
• See the "How to Apply" section of this announcement for information on specific requirements for VOW certifications.
• Schedule A documentation, if applicable.
• Note: Coast Guard welcomes & encourages applications from persons with disabilities.
• Qualified applicants with disabilities may be eligible for special hire, non-competitive appointment under Schedule A eligibility.
• Military Spouses (if applicable) - You MUST submit verification of the marriage to the service member (i.e., a marriage license or other legal documentation verifying marriage) AND: (1) a copy of your spouse's active military orders; OR (2) verification of your spouse's 100% service-connected disability (VA Letter and/or DD-214); OR (3) verification of the service member's death while on active duty (DD-1300/Death Certificate).
• You are not eligible if you were not married to the veteran at the time of death or have since remarried.
• Interchange Agreement with Other Merit Systems Eligible: Documentation of eligibility as listed in each individual interchange agreement.
• Other noncompetitive or special appointing authorities (e.g., Peace Corps, VISTA, Public Land Corp, Military Spouse, VRA, 30% Disabled Veterans, Certain Former Overseas Employees, Foreign Service, etc.) must provide substantiating documentation as required.
• Political Appointees: OPM must authorize employment offers for former or current Political Appointees.
• If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information.
• Submit proof of your former or current status, such as your SF-50.
• CTAP & ICTAP applicants MUST submit documentation verifying your eligibility.
• This includes a copy of your agency notice, a copy of your most recent performance rating, most recent SF-50-Notification of Personnel Action noting your current position, grade level and duty location, & documentation from your agency showing your current promotion potential.
• View information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website.
• Any other supporting documentation required for verification as described in the announcement.

Benefits

DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays.

Other benefits may include flexible work schedules; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities.

For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select "Benefits." Disabled veteran leave will be available to any federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service- connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.

What to expect next

Once you submit your application, we will assess your experience and training, identify the best-qualified applicants, and refer those applications to the hiring manager for further consideration and interviews. We will notify you by email after each of these steps has been completed. Your status will also be updated on USAJOBS throughout the process.

To check your status, log on to your USAJOBS account, click on "Application Status," and then click "More Information." We expect to make a job offer within 60 days after the deadline for applications. If you are selected, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation. View more information on applying for federal employment.

Any Offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Personnel Management guidance and U.S. Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.

Recruitment incentives may be authorized. Recruitment Incentive - Selectee(s) for this position who are newly appointed to a permanent position are authorized to receive a one-time recruitment incentive of 10% (25% for Alaska or Miami only) of the salary, including locality for this position. Receipt of the bonus will require a 12-month service agreement.

"Newly appointed" refers to the first appointment (regardless of tenure) as an employee of the Federal Government, an appointment following a break in service of at least 90 days from a previous appointment as an employee of the Federal Government, or, in certain cases, an appointment following a break in service of less than 90 days from a previous appointment as an employee of the Federal Government.

Relocation Incentive - Selectee(s) for this position who are current federal employees on permanent appointments and will be moving outside of the current commuting area of their current position to accept this position are authorized to receive a one-time relocation incentive of 10% (25% for Alaska or Miami only) of the salary including locality for this position.

Receipt of the bonus will require a 12-month service agreement. The employee must establish a residence in the new geographic area prior to payment.

Additional information

Due Weight Due weight will be given to performance appraisals and incentive awards in merit promotion selection decisions in accordance with 5 CFR 335.103(b)(3). E-Verify DHS uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.

Fair Chance Act The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Homeland Security and its Components from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment.

In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to ***.

Suitability Statement If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty.

False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment. Shared Certificates Statement Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.

Special Employment Consideration The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR 213.3102(u), and or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR 315.707.

Veterans, Peace Corps, VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs.

To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement. Moving expenses will be paid in accordance with appropriate regulations. If you are unable to apply online, please contact ***.

Decisions on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. Visit Reasonable Accommodation More than 1 selection may be made from this announcement if additional identical vacancies in the same title, series, grade, and unit occur within 45 days from the date the certificate was issued.