Purser

Sealift Command; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Sealift Command seeks a CIVMAR Purser to provide administrative, financial, and personnel support aboard naval auxiliaries and hybrid-manned warships worldwide. You will act as a liaison to the Master, handle payroll, travel orders, and financial reporting, and ensure compliance with regulations while safeguarding PII.

The role requires extensive knowledge of disbursing operations, accounting and finance, plus the ability to operate shipboard systems and coordinate with MSC offices.

Qualifications

• Two years of documented experience in Business Administration, Disbursing Operations or Accounting and Finance.
• Documentation must be on official letterhead with company signature.

Responsibilities

• Prepare payroll and financial reports.
• Prepare travel orders and advances.
• Maintain files of publications, personnel records and disciplinary documents.
• Submit reports to MSC and use computer software applications.
• Serve as ship's liaison to the Comptroller and MSC offices.
• Ensure compliance with directives and Privacy Act of 1974.

Skills

Disbursing Operations

Accounting

Finance

Business Administration

Job description

Announcement opens continuously from 05/20/2026, with periodic cut-offs.

This is the average annual salary not the base pay featured in the job opportunity announcement. All calculations include CIVMAR total take-home pay (including overtime, penalty, etc.).

DUTIES

The Purser is a Civil Service Mariner (CIVMAR) employed by the Navy to serve the Military Sealift Command (MSC) onboard naval auxiliaries and hybrid-manned warships worldwide, in peace and war. MSC exists to support the joint warfighter across the full spectrum of military operations. MSC provides on-time logistics, strategic sealift, as well as specialized missions anywhere in the world, in contested or uncontested environments.

Provides administrative support and advice to the Master and ship personnel on financial and personnel matters. Administrative support includes, but is not limited to: Preparing payroll and financial reports, travel orders and advances; maintaining files of publications and instructions, personnel records, disciplinary documents, personnel actions (out port messages), merit promotions/coastal transfer programs, fiscal accounting records, and the management of incoming and outgoing mail. Submits reports as required to Military Sealift Command (MSC), which includes the use of computer software applications and programs. Issues travel orders in accordance with the Joint Travel Regulations. Advisor to the Master and ship personnel on matters concerning administration, financial, and personnel issues and serves as ship’s liaison to the Comptroller and Military Sealift Command offices (MSC). Ensures compliance with applicable directives, instructions, and regulations. Ensures continuing application of and compliance w/EEO laws, regulations and policies and Privacy Act of 1974 ensuring Personal Identifiable Information (PII) is safeguarded. Serves as the Afloat Deputy Disbursing Officer (DDO). Per DFAS Memorandum of September 4, 2012, all current and newly appointed Deputy Disbursing Officers (DDO) will be required to pass the DDO examination in order to remain or become a DDO. Prepares required financial reports and maintains appropriate financial records of shipboard financial returns.

Prepares and submits checks to be deposited through Over the Counter Channel Application (OTCNET) and mailing of original checks. Prepares and pays bi-weekly draws and bi-weekly payrolls, and handles U.S. Government funds. Acknowledges receipt of and posts all merit promotion and coastal transfer opportunity announcements, Human Resource Advisories and other command correspondence in a timely fashion. Affixes and accounts for postage stamps on all outgoing official mail.

Everything in this Position Description is considered to be an essential function of this position. Performs all other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS

Must Have:

• U.S. regular Passport (also referred to as a tourist or blue passport) with minimum of ten (10) months remaining from expiration date.
• Transportation Workers Identification Card and /or Department of Defense (DOD) Command Access Card (CAC) with a minimum of ten (10) months remaining from expiration date.
• United States Coast Guard Merchant Mariner’s credential (MMC) endorsed as: Ordinary Seaman (OS), Wiper, and Steward Department (FH) or higherAND Certificate of Registry (COR) for Purser or Chief Purser:AND
• USCG Medical CertificateAND
• a. ( Two years of documented commercial or government experience in Business Administration, Disbursing Operations or Accounting and Finance;ORb. ( Two years of U.S. military experience (E6 and above) in one of the below rates/Military Occupational Specialty (MOS): Navy: Disbursing Clerk, Personnel Specialist, Yeoman Army: Financial Management Technician (36B), Senior Human Resources Officer (42HO), Human Resources Officer (42BO), Human Resources Specialist (42A), Human Resource Technician (42OA) Marine Corps: Finance Technician (3432), NAF Audit Technician (3441), Financial Management Resource Analyst(3451), Personnel/Administrative Chief (0193) Air Force: Yeoman Personnel (3SOX1), Financial Management and Comptroller (6FOX1) Coast Guard: Yeoman

(*) Documented Experience must be on official letter head, form, or evaluation from current or previous employer that describes experience related to these duties. Document must include company name, applicant’s name, and name with signature of company/agency official

To earn the highest rating possible, you are encouraged to submit detailed information of the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed above. Related MSC, military, and/or commercial experience, etc., will also be part of the rating process. All MSC Civil Service Marine positions are subject to random drug urinalysis testing and require participation in vaccine immunization program. In order to be permanently promoted for this position, the selectee must: Meet the medical requirements, Successfully complete the training requirements, Be clear of any adverse or disciplinary action, Be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearances, Be ready, willing, and able to physically perform the duty of this position worldwide at all times, Be ready, willing, and able to, work in shipboard environmental conditions, and wear protective equipment worldwide at all times, and Have overall “Good” or above evaluation ratings.