Ferryboat Engineer III

Texas Department of Transportation; Galveston (TX); On-site; USD 61,184 - 99,658; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement Plans

Flexible Work Schedules

Health Premiums paid at 100%

Tuition Assistance Program

Job summary

A state transportation agency in Galveston, Texas is seeking a Ferryboat Engineer III to oversee maritime operations and ensure vessel safety. The role requires 8 years of experience with marine equipment and offers competitive salaries ranging from $61,184 to $99,658 per year. Responsibilities include analyzing equipment malfunctions, directing refueling, and participating in emergency drills. This position comes with benefits like retirement plans and health premiums fully covered for full-time employees.

Qualifications

• 8 years of experience in repair and operation of marine equipment.
• Experience can be satisfied by full time or prorated part time equivalent.
• Graduation from a maritime academy will substitute for 5 years experience.

Responsibilities

• Analyze reports of malfunctions affecting vessel stability.
• Direct vessel refueling operations according to safety regulations.
• Inspect emergency generators and firefighting equipment.
• Monitor and train personnel for maintenance tasks.
• Participate in periodic emergency drills and exercises.

Skills

Pollution prevention knowledge

Communication skills

Machinery operation

Education

High School Graduate or Equivalent

Tools

Marine equipment

Emergency response equipment

Job description

Job Description – Ferryboat Engineer III (2502321)

Position Information: Tired of being away from home? TxDOT Galveston-Bolivar Ferry Operations is looking to hire safety orientated Ferryboat Engineers who value their personal time while still able to work as a merchant mariner. TxDOT Galveston-Bolivar Ferry is a 24/7, 365 days inland maritime operation based out of Galveston, Texas. We safely transport vehicles and passengers on a 3-mile route between Galveston and Port Bolivar, Texas. TxDOT provides a variety of resources to help our employees succeed. If you want to build an exciting career, let’s talk!

Effective 9/1/25 the salary range for this position will be updated to reflect new salary limits. Texas State Auditor’s Office – Salary Schedules

Minimum Salary: 61,184.00

Maximum Salary: 99,658.00

Pay Basis: Yearly

FLSA Status: Nonexempt

Work Locations: Galveston/Bolivar Ferry Office – 1000 NORTH FERRY ROAD, Galveston 77550

Travel: Yes, 5% of the Time

Shift: Day Job – 40 hrs/week; includes overtime, on-call duty, and rotating shifts. Location flexibility: onsite.

Benefits and Perks

• Retirement Plans
• Alternative and/or Flexible Work Schedules
• Paid Leave and Holidays
• Health Premiums paid at 100% for Full-Time Employees
• On-the-Job Training
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Holistic Wellness Program with Leave Incentives
• Career Development and Advancement Opportunities
• Family-Friendly Policies and Programs

In 2024, TxDOT was recognized as a Best Place for Working Parents, and many of our offices statewide are also designated as Texas Mother-Friendly Worksites. These recognitions reflect our dedication to supporting families and promoting a healthy work-life balance.

For a complete list of our total compensation package please visit our website at: https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/TotalCompensationPackage

To view benefits available to all State of Texas employees visit: https://www.texas.gov/about/structure/benefits-at-a-glance

Job Responsibilities

• Analyzes reports of malfunctions or abnormal conditions which may affect the stability or operational capability of the vessel and determines corrective action.
• Directs vessel refueling operations and discharging of raw sewage and bilge wastewater in accordance with safety regulations and in compliance with the Federal Waters Pollution Control Act.
• Inspects and conducts operational tests of emergency generators, firefighting and dewatering pumps and other associated equipment, piping and systems; operates and secures equipment under emergency conditions.
• Monitors, leads and trains personnel involved in the performance of the vessel and repair, cleaning and preventative maintenance duties, basic systems operation and casualty control.
• Participates in periodic all-hands emergency drills and exercises.
• Reads and interprets blueprints, sketches, electrical diagrams, piping and mechanical drawings.
• Records daily log of watch activities, operating machinery and equipment statistics; maintains machinery history and repair records.
• Responsible for the proper line-up, start, operation and securing of all main propulsion, steering, auxiliary, standby machinery and equipment and related systems for operation of the vessel under normal and/or emergency conditions.
• Serves as liaison during American Bureau of Shipping and U.S. Coast Guard inspections and boat drills.
• Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: High School Graduate or Equivalent in general high school studies.

Experience: 8 years in repair, maintenance and operation of marine equipment. (Experience can be satisfied by full time or prorated part time equivalent). Graduation from a maritime academy will substitute for 5 years experience.

Licenses and Certifications

• Valid driver’s license – required to drive a state vehicle.
• USCG MMC of Lic-Chf Eng-Mtr Fe-5000Hp
• Transp Worker ID Cred – TWIC at time of application.

Extensive Knowledge of

• Pollution prevention and abatement programs
• Applicable laws, rules, and regulations
• Emergency response procedures
• Correcting abnormal operation of equipment, machinery and systems
• First aid and lifesaving techniques
• Public relations for maintaining effective working relationships with individuals and groups, both internal and external
• Leading, assigning, reviewing, and monitoring the work of others
• Maintaining a safe and effective working relationship with others
• Ability to work in cramped spaces (bend, stoop, crawl) and at varied heights.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Subject to inside and outside environmental conditions
• Subject to extreme cold and heat; below 32 and/or above 100 degrees for more than one hour
• Subject to noise
• Subject to vibration
• Subject to hazards – moving vehicles/mechanical parts, high places/heat, or chemicals
• Subject to atmospheric conditions – fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases, poor ventilation
• Subject to air and/or skin exposure to oils and other cutting fluids
• Required to wear protective gear – respirator, hard hat, or other devices
• Works in narrow aisles or passageways
• Medium work: lift up to 50 lbs. at a time and frequently lift or carry objects up to 25 lbs.
• Balancing – walking, standing, crouching on various surfaces without falling
• Kneeling – bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee(s)
• Crawling – moving about on hands and knees or hands and feet
• Standing – prolonged periods of time
• Walking – moving on foot to accomplish tasks: long distance/from one work site to another
• Pushing – using upper extremities to press against object with force to move in a direction
• Pulling – using upper extremities to exert force moving objects in a sustained motion
• Grasping – applying pressure to an object with fingers and palm
• Talking – expressing or exchanging ideas by spoken words
• Hearing – perceive sound at normal speaking levels; receive information by oral communication
• Close visual acuity – work includes data/figures; view a computer screen; extensive reading
• Close visual acuity – work includes visual inspection of small defects/parts
• Close visual acuity – using measurement devices; and/or assembly or fabrication parts
• Visual acuity – operate motor vehicles and/or heavy equipment
• Visual acuity – determine work quality/make general observations of facilities/structures
• This job has been identified as physically demanding and will require a pre-employment physical.
• Must pass a drug test prior to employment for safety impact positions. This is a Safety Impact position and will be subject to random drug testing. Please note that the Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulation – 49 CFR Part 40, at 40.151(e) – does not authorize medical marijuana under a state law to be a valid medical explanation for a positive drug test result for an employee in this position.

Job

Maint/Skilled Craft/Ferry Ops

Schedule

Full-time

Employee Status

Regular

Job Type

Standard

Job Level

Non-Management

Job Posting

Aug 19, 2025, 3:30:02 PM

Unposting Date

Ongoing

Military Occupational Specialty (MOS)

TxDOT is committed to hiring veterans. To assist in determining whether your military experience may pertain to the minimum requirements for this position, Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes from each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces have been assigned to each state classification code/title where applicable. The MOS codes are grouped by occupational category. To view the MOS codes please go to https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions.

The Texas Department of Transportation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Should you require reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities for any part of the employment process, we will provide in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.