Merchant Mariner Evaluation Specialist (Deck)

U.S. Coast Guard; Juneau (AK); On-site; USD 90,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Thrift Savings Plan

Flexible Spending Account

Employee Assistance Program

Personal leave days

Paid federal holidays

Job summary

The U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, seeks a Merchant Mariner Evaluation Specialist (Deck) at the GS-2101-12 level with a location negotiable after selection. You will advise on regulatory provisions and administer merchant mariner credentialing examinations, emphasizing deck exams and knowledge-based testing.

Responsibilities include developing exam questions, analyzing items, and assisting senior staff to maintain efficient assessment systems and credentialing policies.

Qualifications

• This position has a positive education requirement; transcripts may be requested.
• Knowledge of regulatory provisions and examination controls for credentialing.

Responsibilities

• Develop and revise merchant marine deck examination questions from regulations.
• Assist with item analysis and update exam items as directed by senior staff.
• Address inquiries on credentialing policies and examinations.
• Support examination creation, assessment structures and process improvements.
• Monitor performance metrics and suggest process improvements.

Skills

Regulatory knowledge

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in a related field

Job description

• Department: Department of Homeland Security

This vacancy is for a GS-2101-12, Merchant Mariner Evaluation Specialist (Deck) located in the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard, NMC MARINER EXAMINATIONS BRANCH in location negotiable after selection.

Key Responsibilities

You will serve as a Merchant Mariner Evaluation Specialist (Deck) and be responsible for providing advice and administration on the regulatory provisions and controls for the examinations of the merchant mariner credentialing program with specific emphasis on merchant marine personnel examinations and the development of knowledge-based competency examinations and examination systems. Being a Coast Guard civilian makes you a valuable member of the Coast Guard team.

Typical work assignments include: Aids in the development and revision of merchant marine deck examination questions by researching technical publications and regulations to create examination materials that reflect current maritime practices. Assists with item analysis by reviewing test item data, providing feedback to training providers based on analysis results, and helping to update test items as directed by senior staff.

Addresses internal and external inquiries regarding credentialing and examination policies, responding to comments and challenges on exam questions under the guidance of senior staff on complex issues. Contributes to the examination creation and maintenance process by assisting with assessment structures, utilization, and disposition to support an effective and economical assessment program.

Working with senior specialists, helps to reconcile inconsistencies in examination processes, monitors performance metrics, and suggests improvements related to identified trends.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application.

Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis.

If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement.

To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. Reasonable Accommodation Information Open Continuous: You may update your application documents and some questions related to your personal information at any time during the announcement open period. Upon application, you may be provided a testing window to complete additional assessments.

This testing window may stipulate a completion deadline before the announcement closes. It is your responsibility to complete the additional online assessments within the timeline provided to remain in consideration for this vacancy announcement. Failure to complete the online assessments within the testing window for this announcement will not preclude you from being considered for and completing the online assessments during a testing window on a future announcement.

NOTE: This announcement has an open period until 11/17/2026, with applicant cut-off dates every 30 days. Applications received that meet the eligibility and qualification criteria may be referred for further consideration based on the following cut-off dates: Thursday, September 17, 2026, Monday, October 19, 2026 AND Tuesday, November 17, 2026

Requirements & Education

This position does have a positive education requirement. If you are including education on your resume, report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. See Required Documents section for detail. Are you qualifying based on education? Submit a copy of your college transcript (unofficial is acceptable) from an accredited institution.

Once selected & prior to appointment, applicants must provide an official college transcript. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the U.S. (see FOREIGN EDUCATION below).

College Transcript: If this position requires specific educational course work to qualify, or you are qualifying based in whole or part on education, you are required to provide all unofficial transcripts (undergraduate, graduate, etc.) by the closing date of this announcement or you will be disqualified from further consideration.

Transcripts should be legible and detailed, showing course number and department (i.e., bio 101, math 210, etc.), course title, number of credit hours, and grade earned. If course content cannot be easily identified from the title of the course as listed on your transcript, you must submit an official course description from the college/university that reflects the content at the time the course was taken.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States. To receive this credit, you must submit evidence of equivalency as provided by a credentialling evaluation service. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence with your application.

See Recognition of Foreign Qualifications click here Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.

Student Loan - Selectee(s) for this position who are newly appointed to a permanent or term position may be eligible for student loan repayment up to $10,000 (pre-tax) for one calendar year. More than one loan may be repaid if the combined repayments do not exceed $10,000.

Receipt of this incentive will require a three-year service agreement.

• health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays.
• Other benefits may include flexible work schedules; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers.

DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities. For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select "Benefits." Disabled veteran leave will be available to any federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service- connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $89508 – $145468/yr.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-11-17.

How many openings are available?

There are 3 openings for this position.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Fed Transition' hiring path.