Deck Hand I

Harris County Toll Road Authority; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Harris County Toll Road Authority seeks a Deckhand to direct vehicles on and off the ferry, perform deck evaluations, and operate safety barricades and ramps. The role requires counting vehicles and passengers and reporting to the ferry pilot while ensuring compliance with USCG, Federal, State and local regulations.

Responsibilities include lookout duties, enforcing regulations, inspecting loads, assisting with emergency equipment, and performing routine vessel maintenance.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of maritime laws, rules and regulations, seamanship.
• Ability to swim.
• Ability to acquire and maintain a TWIC card.
• Certified in CPR, First Aid and AED.
• Ability to communicate with staff and the public.
• Knowledge of ferry maneuvers.
• Ability to respond to emergencies and high-stress events.

Responsibilities

• Direct vehicles safely on and off the ferry and manage deck operations.
• Perform deck evaluations and operate vehicle safety barricades and ramps.
• Direct, space, and park vehicles on the ferry deck while maintaining security and compliance.
• Count vehicles and passengers and report counts to the ferry pilot.

Skills

Maritime rules

Swimming

TWIC access

CPR/First Aid

Communication

Engines & rigging

Education

High School diploma or GED

Job description

Position Description

The Deckhand directs vehicles safely on and off the ferry. Performs deck evaluations, operates vehicle safety barricades and vehicle loading ramps. Directs, spaces, and parks vehicles on the ferry deck. Maintains security on deck, observing passengers for compliance with all USCG, Federal, State and local regulations, reports any violations to the ferry pilot. Responsible for accurately counting vehicles and passengers, reporting count to ferry pilot.

Position Description

The Deckhand directs vehicles safely on and off the ferry. Performs deck evaluations, operates vehicle safety barricades and vehicle loading ramps. Directs, spaces, and parks vehicles on the ferry deck. Maintains security on deck, observing passengers for compliance with all USCG, Federal, State and local regulations, reports any violations to the ferry pilot. Responsible for accurately counting vehicles and passengers, reporting count to ferry pilot.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Serves as lookout for the pilot and vessel when ferry is underway. Stands lookout during periods of restricted visibility and assists the pilot in maneuvering the vessel in high density traffic areas under all weather and sea conditions in accordance with the Inland Rules of the Road and rules of good seamanship.
• Serves as secondary enforcement authority for Federal, State and local regulations governing operation of the ferry and safe welfare of the vessel. Reports all observations, actions and matters affecting the stability, operational capacity, safety and welfare of the vessel, crew and passengers to the ferry pilot.
• Checks all vehicles for hazardous cargo, safe and unsafe loads, height, max weight etc. to ensure ferry is compliant with regulations; flags vehicle traffic and assists in the removal of stalled vehicles as needed.
• Assists ferry pilot in the daily inspection of the operational condition of all emergency, fire fighting, life saving and operating equipment.
• Performs routine maintenance work, including washing down of vessel, mopping, scrubbing, disinfecting, exterior and interior cleaning, washing of bulkheads and overheads, gangway hardware inspection, lubricates machinery, primes and paints, and splices and repairs ropes and cables as needed.
• Makes regular rounds of the engine room and deck to ensure good, safe, and operational order.
• Participates in periodic all-hands drills and emergency exercises.

Other Duties

This Job Description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position. Management may, at its discretion, assign, or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Requirements

Education and Experience

• High School diploma or G.E.D. from an accredited education institution.
• Valid Texas driver's license
• Participation in a random drug and alcohol testing program.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Knowledge of and ability to follow/enforce maritime laws, rules and regulations, seamanship.
• Ability to swim.
• Ability to acquire and maintain a TWIC card.
• Certified in CPR, First Aid and AED.
• Ability to communicate and work well with staff and the general public.
• Knowledge of ferry maneuvers.
• Ability to respond to emergency/high-stress events such as a fire.
• Ability to understand and operate machinery and rigging.
• Knowledge of engines and similar mechanical equipment.

Physical Demands

• Must be able to pass a U.S. Coast Guard physical.
• Physical ability to perform job duties including: walking, bending, climbing stairs, swimming (in emergency situations), pushing, pulling, and standing for extended periods of time.
• Must regularly lift and/or move at least 50 pounds.
• Marine operations are subject to varied wake and motion.

NOTE:

Qualifying education, experience, knowledge and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.

General Information

Position Type And Typical Hours Work

• This is a full-time position.
• On-call after hours, various rotating shifts, including weekends and holidays.
• Emergency situations may require additional hours.

Work Environment

Work environment is mostly outdoors and involves working in inclement weather, extreme heat, extreme cold, and confined spaces.

Reporting Relations

Reports To Position: Ferry Pilot

Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.

Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, or any other protected class in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.

https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx

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