Senior Merchant Mariner Evaluation Specialist (Deck)

U.S. Coast Guard

Juneau (AK)

On-site

USD 106,000 - 173,000

Full time

14 days+

Application generator

Stand out for this role — generate a tailored resume and cover letter in about a minute.

Get past ATS filters

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Tuition reimbursement

Flexible work schedules

Job summary

The U.S. Coast Guard is seeking a Senior Merchant Mariner Evaluation Specialist (Deck) in Alaska to oversee deck examination content lifecycle, including development and revision of knowledge-based exams. You will audit items, advise training providers, and address complex credentialing inquiries with authority.

You will supervise examination specialists, provide on-the-job guidance, monitor metrics, and implement program-wide improvements while coordinating with regional centers and leadership.

Qualifications

This position requires knowledge of regulatory provisions for examinations.
Experience with psychometric evaluations and test item analysis.
Ability to develop and revise knowledge-based examinations.

Responsibilities

Oversee deck examination content lifecycle from development to revision.
Direct item analysis and provide feedback to training providers.
Respond to inquiries related to maritime credentialing and examinations.

Skills

Regulatory knowledge

Psychometric analysis

Examination development

Project guidance

Education

College degree

Tools

Transcript review tools

Job description

Department: Department of Homeland Security

This vacancy is for a GS - 2101 - 13, Senior 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 Senior Merchant Mariner Evaluation Specialist (Deck) and be responsible for providing advisory services and administering the regulatory provisions and controls for examinations supporting the Merchant Mariner Credentialing program. In this role, you will be responsible for the examination of merchant marine personnel 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: Managing the full lifecycle of deck examination content, from development to revision, by researching technical and legal sources to create new material and ensure exams are current with vessel technology.

Directing the item analysis program by performing and interpreting complex psychometric evaluations, providing authoritative feedback to training providers, and making final decisions on revising or removing flawed test items. Acting as the final technical authority for the branch by responding to the most complex internal and external inquiries, challenges, and reconsideration requests related to maritime credentialing and examinations.

Providing authoritative guidance, on-the-job training, and direction to other examination specialists (GS-12s) and regional exam centers to ensure the quality, timeliness, and consistency of the program.

Acting as the expert on examination processes, independently reconciling the most difficult inconsistencies, monitoring performance metrics, and implementing program-wide improvements to ensure effectiveness and economy 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 11/11/2026, 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: Friday, September 11, 2026 Sunday, October 11, 2026 Wednesday, November 11, 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.

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; 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 $106437 - $172980/yr.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-11-11.

Who is eligible to apply?

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