Ferry Deck Hand - Relief (Anticipated Vacancy)

MaineGuide; Rockland (ME); On-site; USD 22,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

13 paid holidays

3+ weeks of vacation leave

Health insurance coverage

Dental insurance

Retirement plan

Job summary

Maine State Ferry Service in Rockland, Maine, is seeking a Relief Deckhand for full-time duties on multiple vessels. The role involves maintenance, cleaning, safety checks, and assisting passengers in a busy ferry operation. You may work across Rockland, Lincolnville, or Bass Harbor.

Entry-level opportunity with potential preferential consideration for maritime experience. Includes standard state employee benefits and potential for ongoing assignments during peak seasons.

Qualifications

• Graduation from high school or equivalent.
• Willing to obtain TWIC (Transportation Workers Identification Credential) within 30 days of hire.

Responsibilities

• Inspect, clean, and maintain ferries and compartments.
• Provide information to passengers and assist with boarding/exiting vessels.
• Perform general upkeep and safety duties on assigned vessels between Rockland, Lincolnville, or Bass Harbor.

Skills

Customer service

Maritime experience

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

If you are a current State of Maine employee, please submit your application through the internal application process using the Find Jobs report in PRISM. Seasonal employees who do not have PRISM access should apply through the State’s career page and indicate on the application that they have previously worked for the State.

Maine Department of Transportation

Salary: $15.78 - $19.83/Hourly
New employees will start at $20.02 per hour (Step 8) *This includes a 5% stipend*

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

Office/Bureau: Maine State Ferry Service

Location: Rockland, ME

Opening Date: October 30, 2026

Closing Date: November 14, 2026

Job Description:

The Maine State Ferry Service offers transportation to and from several of Maine's Island communities.Ferry Deckhand (Relief) may work on any assigned vessel between Rockland, Lincolnville, or Bass Harbor. This is a full-time position.

This is entry-level maintenance and personal services work involving general upkeep, cleaning, and maintenance of compartments, passageways, and exterior areas of a ferry. Responsibilities include inspecting, cleaning, and maintaining ferries and ensuring the crew and passengers' safety. The work includes customer service functions such as providing information to passengers and assisting with entering and exiting the boat.Preference may be given to candidates with maritime experience.

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

Graduation from high school or equivalent.

Licensing/Registration/Certification Requirements:

The applicant selected for hire must obtain a TWIC (Transportation Workers Identification Credential) Card that is provided by TSA -Transportation Security Administration within 30 days of hire.

If you have general questions, please contact Maine State Ferry Service Human Resources Specialist Erica Cyr at 207-441-4741 or via email at [e-mail]

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 pays85%-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.

There's a job and then there's purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role.

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.

If you’re looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we’d love to hear from you. Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

Thinking about applying?

Research shows that people from historically excluded communities tend to apply to jobs only when they check every box in the posting. If you’re currently reading this and hesitating to apply for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! Let us know how your lived experience and passion set you apart.

.

If you are unable to complete the online application, please contact the Human Resources representative listed on the job opening you are interested in applying for. They will work with you for an alternative method of submitting.