Ferry Able Seafarer (Intermittent)

State of Maine; Rockland (ME); On-site; USD 33,000 - 48,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

13 paid holidays

3+ weeks vacation leave

12 days sick leave

Health insurance coverage

Dental insurance

Retirement plan

Job summary

Maine Department of Transportation in Rockland, ME, is seeking an Intermittent Able-Bodied Seafarer for the Maine State Ferry Service. You may serve on routes to Vinalhaven, North Haven, Swans Island or Islesboro, and are scheduled as needed throughout the year.

Off-duty housing on the island is available; a non-taxable per-diem meals allowance applies. Duties include mooring, boarding, loading/unloading, lifeboat handling, safety drills, wheelhouse watches, and security duties as per the Vessel

Qualifications

• Experience as a deck crew member on ocean or coastal vessels.
• USCG AB endorsement and TWIC required.
• Ability to pass pre-employment drug screening and physical.

Responsibilities

• Handle mooring lines during docking/undocking operations.
• Verify and collect boarding tickets and assist in loading/unloading passengers and vehicles.
• Chock/un-chock wheels and operate the transfer bridge.
• Clean/paint vessel interiors and exteriors and manage gear and equipment.
• Participate in safety drills and lifeboat handling and deployment.
• Stand helm and lookout watches in the wheelhouse and perform security duties.

Skills

Deck crew experience

Education

USCG Able Seaman certificate

Lifeboatman certificate

Job description

Maine Department of Transportation

Salary: New employees will start at Step 8 - $29.38/hour (which includes a 30% stipend)

To view the full salary range of this position, click here.

Office/Bureau: Maine State Ferry Service

Location: Rockland, ME

Opening Date: September 28, 2026

Closing Date: October 13, 2026

Job Description:

This position serves as an Intermittent Able-Bodied Seafarer aboard one of our Ferry vessels. While headquartered in beautiful Rockland, Maine, the Maine State Ferry Service offers transportation to and from several of Maine’s Island communities. Candidates could be assigned to one of the following vessel routes: Vinalhaven, North Haven, Swans Island or Islesboro. Employees are scheduled as needed throughout the year.

When on duty, crews are required to stay on the island in which their vessel is assigned. Employees who do not reside on the island are permitted to utilize state owned housing equipped with cable, free parking, and other amenities. Employees receive a per-diem allowance for meals that is non- taxable income. Typical daily duties include, but are not limited to,: Handles mooring lines during docking/undocking operations; verifies and collects boarding tickets and assists in the loading/unloading of passengers and vehicles including chocking/un-chocking of vehicle wheels and operating the transfer bridge; cleans/paints interior and exterior vessel structure, gear, and equipment, passageways and compartments on or above the main deck; actively participates in safety drills and operations including the swinging out, lowering, handling, and retrieval of lifeboats; stands helm and lookout watches in wheelhouse; and performs security duties IAW the Vessel Security Plan.

Candidates must possess a valid U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariners Document (MMD) with AB endorsement (unlimited, limited, or special) and a TWIC (Transportation Workers Identification Credential) in order to be considered for this position. The applicant selected for hire must submit to and pass pre-employment drug screening as outlined in 49CFR Part 40. Applicants must be physically capable of performing all duties of Ferry Able Seafarer and, at the Department’s discretion, submit to and pass a pre-employment physical.

To be minimally qualified for this position candidates must provide evidence ofthe following experience:

• Experience as a deck crew member of vessels operating on ocean or coastal routes.

Licensing/Registration/Certification Requirements: (These must be met by all employees prior to attaining permanent status in this class).

U.S. Coast Guard certificate as able seaman and lifeboatman.

Required to have a current TWIC Card - Transportation Worker Identification Credential Card. Card is provided by TSA -Transportation Security Administration.

Why join our team?

No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—“Dirigo” or “I lead”—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce’s health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:

• Work-Life Fit – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays , and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
• Wellness – We care about you and your family’s wellbeing, offering 12 days of sick leave annually to help you stay healthy.
• Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-95% of employee-only premiums ($12,213.60-$13,650.48annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.
• Health Insurance Premium Credit – Participation decreases employee-only premiums by up to 5%. Visit the Office of Employee Health and Wellness for more information about program requirements.
• Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($365.28annual value).
• Retirement Plan – The State contributes the equivalent of 14.06% of the employee’s pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS).

State employees are eligible for an extensive and highly competitive benefits package, covering many aspects of wellness. Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness.

Note: Benefits may vary somewhat according to specific collective bargaining agreements and are prorated for anything less than full-time.

As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics.