Barge Cleaner

Kirby Inland Marine Lp; Channelview (TX); On-site; USD 19,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Kirby Inland Marine Lp is seeking a shoreside helper to safely clean barges and assist with facility maintenance, cleaning and security duties. The role does not require service as a crew member for any vessel.

You will identify cargo, coordinate transfers, test tanks for vapor safety, and support dock loading operations. Strong teamwork, reliability and basic literacy are essential for success in this busy, safety‑driven environment.

Qualifications

• Valid driver’s license preferred.
• Basic reading and writing skills.
• Ability to attend company-required training.

Responsibilities

• Barge Cleaning and Stripping Operations: identify cargo and plan transfers.
• Test tanks for vapor toxicity and LELs with chemists to ensure safe entry.
• Enter tanks to pump or rag out residual cargo.
• Inspect barge cleanliness to customer specs.
• Prepare dock for loading and discharging petroleum cargoes per instructions.
• Connect/disconnect hoses and loading arms and monitor transfer progress.
• Maintain transfer documentation and communicate status to stakeholders.

Skills

Teamwork

Adaptability

Integrity

Initiative

Education

High school diploma or GED preferred

Job description

Overview

This shoreside job primarily involves safely and efficiently cleaning barges and ensuring barges are safe for entry as well as assigned shoreside facility maintenance, cleaning, and security duties. The position does not require service as a crew member for the operation of any specific vessel.

Overview

This shoreside job primarily involves safely and efficiently cleaning barges and ensuring barges are safe for entry as well as assigned shoreside facility maintenance, cleaning, and security duties. The position does not require service as a crew member for the operation of any specific vessel.

Responsibilities

Barge Cleaning and Stripping Operations

• Identify cargo contained in barge set for cleaning.
• Determine where cargo is to be transferred based on cargo type, amount, and available storage.
• Work under chemical hygienist and marine chemist to test tanks for vapor toxicity and LELs to ensure levels are below the level required for safe entry.
• Enter into the tanks of the barges to pump or rag out residual cargo.
• Inspect barge ensuring it is cleaned to customer specifications.
• Prepare the dock or facility side for loading and discharging liquid petroleum cargoes as per facility loading instructions.
• Performing line-up of pipelines, opening and closing valves, and connecting and disconnecting transfer hoses and loading arms.
• Connect and disconnect cargo hoses and loading arms to facilitate the safe transfer of liquid petroleum cargo to and from the vessel, barge, shore tank, and tank truck.
• Continuously monitor transfer utilizing float gauges.
• Maintain documentation of cargo transfer history, vessel and shore communications, and various other transfer system components such as storage tanks.
• Continuously monitor and document volume of product moving between vessel(s) and shore keeping all involved parties informed of transfer status.
• Monitor cargo tank capacities
  
  

Facility Maintenance

• Upkeep and repair of pumps used to transfer cargo.
• Inspect hoses for wear and failures.
• Inspect tanks and truck rack.
• Inspect rainwater for clarity and discharge.
  
  

Janitorial Duties

• Clean bathroom in office.
• General cleaning around office and grounds.
  
  

Security Responsibilities

• Familiarize and understand cleaning facility security requirements.
• Continuously monitor the following for security concerns: barge inspections for suspicious items, access gate and granting people entry, vehicle and facility screening for suspicious cargo, logging in contract workers, truck delivery drivers, and Kirby personnel.
  
  

Safety Responsibilities

• Training in use of all necessary Personal Protective Equipment.
• Follow all safety requirements and training as required by Kirby and supervisors.
• All other duties as assigned.
  
  

Qualifications

• Valid driver’s license preferred.
• Basic reading and writing skills.
  
  

Competencies

• Teamwork: Collaboration, the ability to work effectively with others, and a positive attitude towards teamwork.
• Adaptability: Adjusting to changing situations and priorities, being flexible, and learning quickly.
• Integrity: Maintaining ethical standards, acting with honesty and respect, and being accountable.
• Initiative: Taking proactive steps, identifying opportunities, and going above and beyond expectations.
  
  

Education

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
  
  

Experience

• 1+ years of deckhand experience preferred.
• 1+ years of mechanical and construction experience preferred.
  
  

Special Requirements

• Ability to attend company-required training.
• Access to reliable transportation.
• Ability to use firefighter equipment.
• Ability to use spill containment equipment.
• Ability to communicate with certified industrial hygienist and marine chemist.
• Ability to operate, calibrate, and log information using the gas monitor.
  
  

Physical Activities & Requirements

• Employee will be subject to a physical examination by a Kirby Corporation-appointed physician in the event Kirby Corporation extends a conditional offer of employment.
• Ability to walk 2-3 miles per day.
• Ability to step vertical heigh differential approximately two feet vertical and two feet horizontal.
• Ability to step across, up, down, or over an obstacle to gain access to docks from the barge to the boat or from boat to the dock.
• Ability to extend arms fully, throughout a normal range of motion both in a horizontal and vertical plane.
• Ability to throw and catch lines.
• Ability to climb 25-30 feet, 90-degree vertical ladder.
• Ability to lift approximately 60-75 pounds and carry it approximately 500 feet.
• Ability to pass pulmonary function test with a minimum score of 80% with physician’s approval.
• Ability to perform all duties while wearing personal protective equipment.
• Ability to work in confined spaces.
• Ability to work when exposed to chemicals at safe levels.
  
  

Working Conditions

• Duties primarily take place at the dock with occasional daytime boarding of boats/barges. Typically, does not require overnight stays on boats/barges.
• May be exposed to harsh natural elements, such as intense heat, freezing cold, rain, ice, sleet, and various other environmental conditions.
• Ability to work rotating schedule including day and night 12-hour shifts: seven days on/three days off, then seven nights on/four days off.
• Additional hours may be required to cover absentee workers.