Senior Marine Investigator

U.S. Coast Guard; Sault Ste. Marie (MI); On-site; USD 106,000 - 138,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and dental insurance

Retirement plan (Thrift Savings Plan)

Paid federal holidays

Flexible work schedules

Job summary

U.S. Coast Guard in SAULT STE MARIE, Michigan seeks a Senior Marine Investigator (GS-1801-13) to lead investigations and provide mission-critical leadership in the Sector Northern Great Lakes. The role supports enforcement actions and agency compliance across marine casualties in the Area of Responsibility.

Responsibilities include supervising investigations, DAPI audits, and training personnel; knowledge of regulatory procedures and coordination with District offices is essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead as a Senior Marine Investigator and provide leadership and management support.
• Investigate deaths, injuries, property loss, and environmental damage to identify factors and causal relationships.
• Advise on appropriate level of investigative effort and subsequent enforcement actions or referrals for reportable marine casualties.
• Investigate merchant mariner negligence, misconduct, incompetence, and dangerous drug use; prepare and present government case.
• Serve as the unit DAPI auditor; schedule and conduct audits of marine employers within the Sector's AOR.
• Train Sector and subordinate personnel to conduct DAPI audits during vessel inspections and assist in program execution.

Job description

• Department: Department of Homeland Security

This vacancy is for a GS-1801-13, Senior Marine Investigator located in the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard, SECTOR NORTHERN GREAT LAKES COMMAND CADRE in SAULT STE MARIE, Michigan.

Key Responsibilities

You will serve as a Senior Marine Investigator and be responsible for performing its operational activity by providing leadership and management support. All mission essential materials are available and operationally ready for use and appropriate information and guidance is available, current, and accessible to execute the mission. Being a Coast Guard civilian makes you a valuable member of the Coast Guard team.

Typical work assignments include: Investigating deaths, injuries, property loss, and environmental damage to determine the associated organizational factors, human performance, equipment, and environmental causal and defense.

Providing input to the COTP/OCMI regarding most appropriate level of investigative effort and subsequent enforcement actions or criminal referral, as appropriate, in response to all reportable marine casualties with the Sector's Area of Responsibility (AOR).

Investigating merchant mariner negligence, misconduct, incompetence, and dangerous drug use leading to appropriate remedial National Maritime Center (NMC) suspension or revocation, including the preparation and presentation of the government's case before an Administrative Law Judge. Serving as the unit Drug and Alcohol Program Inspection (DAPI) auditor, responsible for scheduling and conducting audits of marine employers within the Sector's AOR.

Trains Sector and subordinate unit personnel to conduct DAPI audits during vessel inspections and assists in program execution. Working with the District DAPI auditor to establish and maintain a list of marine employers and service agents subject to chemical testing requirements.

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

Requirements & Education

This position does not 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. Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.

DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including

• 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
• paid federal holidays

Other benefits may include

• flexible work schedules
• tuition reimbursement
• transportation subsidies
• uniform allowance
• health and wellness programs
• fitness centers

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 $106437 – $138370/yr.

What security clearance is required?

This position requires a Secret security clearance.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-11-09.

Who is eligible to apply?

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