Ferry Deck Hand - Relief (Anticipated Vacancy)

State of Maine; Rockland (ME); On-site; USD 22,000 - 27,000; Full 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

The Maine Department of Transportation, Maine State Ferry Service, in Rockland, Maine, seeks a Deckhand (Relief) for full-time work on any assigned vessel serving Rockland, Lincolnville, or Bass Harbor. Tasks include upkeep, cleaning, and passenger assistance while maintaining safety across vessels.

Entry-level maintenance and personal service duties are expected, with preference given to maritime experience. NJC: TWIC required within 30 days of hire.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• TWIC credential required within 30 days of hire.
• Customer service duties including assisting passengers and providing information.

Responsibilities

• Inspect, clean, and maintain ferries and compartments.
• Ensure crew and passenger safety.
• Assist passengers with entering and exiting the boat.
• Provide information to passengers.

Skills

Customer service

Safety awareness

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

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 of the 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.

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-$13,650.48 annual 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 ($365.28 annual 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.

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]