Ship System Operator/Watch Stander I

Austal USA; Mobile (AL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Austal USA is seeking a system operator/watch stander for Naval and Commercial ships under construction in Mobile, AL. Under supervision, you will learn to stand a watch, inspect spaces for hazards, and monitor alarms to ensure safety and compliance with procedures.

You will read drawings and schematics, adjust equipment settings, and be able to start/stop ship service diesel generators, ensuring power reliability and safety in early-stage construction environments.

Qualifications

• Navy/Coast Guard/Merchant Mariner watch standing experience required.
• Familiarity with pumps, generators, engines and shipboard machinery.
• Experience with shipboard drawings, schematics and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Monitor multiple shipboard systems and respond to alarms or indicators.
• Inspect all spaces to detect and prevent fire, flood, or security hazards.
• Operate diesel generators and shift power between ship and shore when needed.
• Record ship draft and liquid load, following Austal directives and procedures.
• Diagnose issues and take interim steps to mitigate hazardous conditions.

Skills

Watch standing experience

Engineering systems familiarity

Pumps & generators

Electrical power management

Tools

Hand tools

Machinery operation

Basic computer skills

Job description

REPORTS TO

Vessel Watch Stander Supervisor

SUPERVISES: None

AUTHORITIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

This is a position as a system operator/watch stander for Naval and Commercial Ships under construction at Austal USA. Under close supervision, the watch stander will learn the various systems until he/she demonstrates their ability to stand a watch alone on a vessel in an early stage of construction. Operator will continuously inspect all spaces to detect and prevent fire hazards, fire, flood, theft, sabotage or other irregularities affecting physical security of the ship. Monitors multiple systems, remote alarms, indicators and local conditions for fire, flooding, and operating machinery and responds to alarms or contra indicators as appropriate. Diagnose and take immediate interim steps to mitigate hazardous conditions in accordance with established procedures and guidelines. Reads and interprets DC plates and schematics to assess local operating conditions of machinery based on operating parameters recorded during scheduled monitoring. Adjusts equipment settings and controls according to specifications, and in a timely fashion to prevent or mitigate fire hazards, fire, flood, theft, sabotage or other irregularities affecting physical security of the ship. Shift operating equipment configuration, read and record ship draft, obtain and record liquid load, and follow AUSTAL directives and instructions. Must be able to start and stop ship service diesel generators, shift shipboard electrical power source between ship and shore and restore electrical power in the event of a loss.

QUALIFICATIONS / KNOWLEDGE / EXPERIENCE

• 535 Minimum 4 years Navy/ Coast Guard / Merchant Mariner experience in Engineering Watch Standing experience
• Familiarity with machinery such as pumps, generators and engines.
• Familiarity with shipboard compartmentalization to include types of fire, smoke boundaries, watertight integrity, and flooding control.
• Must understand shipboard construction drawing, schematics, and operating procedures.
• Must demonstrate knowledge of basic shipboard damage control (DC) systems and their use for different types of fires.
• Must be able to operate standard communication equipment.
• Must be knowledgeable with Lock Out Tag out procedures.

TOOLS

• Must be able to operate basic hand tools. ( i.e. Pliers, wrenches, measuring devices).
• Must be knowledgeable in machinery operations, such as pumps, generators and engines.
• Must have basic computer skills.

DIRECTION EXERCISED

None

DISCRETION EXERCISED

Will typically work closely with supervisors and other watches until performance tests are completed satisfactory. Must be able to make decisions based on protection and safety of personnel, equipment and ship. Relies on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals.

LIAISES WITH

Test Team, LOTO, and Production

ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES

Must be able to obtain and maintain required Security Clearance. Must be available to work nights, weekends, and holidays. Candidates must meet the following employment eligibility guidelines to be considered for employment with Austal USA: Fully vaccinated for COVID19 18 years of age or older at time of application. Able to provide proof of US Person Status No felony convictions of Theft/Deception or Violent crimes within seven years from disposition date No felony convictions of Drug crimes within three years from disposition date Willing to submit to a drug screen Willing to submit to a background check

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Must be able to tour all vessels and work sites.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, use hands to manipulate, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, climb and balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and talk or hear.
• The employee is occasionally required to sit.
• Specific physical requirements include the following: Must have the ability to bend, squat, stoop, crawl and kneel. Perform prolonged standing. Ability to turn head from side to side and about the vertical axis. Ability to turn body at the waist from side to side and about the vertical axis.
• Lift/push/pull 50lbs to 75lbs on an occasional basis.
• Lift/push/pull up to 20lbs on a frequent basis.
• Must have the ability to climb in a safe manner (climbing as a minimum includes stairs, scaffolding, ladders, and ramps).
• Ability to work at heights above 12' while working from ladders, scaffolding and/or man lifts.
• Able to work at a variety of levels (ex. waist, eye, overhead).
• Demonstrate the ability to safely and appropriately use required tools and equipment.
• Demonstrate good balance while working on uneven surfaces and maneuvering obstacles.
• Possess sufficient handgrip and coordination to carry and operate tools and equipment.
• Ability to utilize personal protective equipment (hard hat, safety glasses, steel-toe shoes, goggles, respirator, safety harness, safety line, flotation gear, etc.) safely per OSHA standards.
• Ability to withstand cold and hot temperatures.
• Ability to enter 18" x 36" openings and work in confined spaces for prolonged periods of time.
• Able to respond to verbal and audible sounds/commands.
• Able to utilize adequate visual skills.
• Ability to fully extend the arm while reaching overhead, reaching out, reaching to the side and reaching down.
• Ability to perceive attributes of an object/material such as size, shape, temperature and texture by means of receptors in the hands and fingers.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to humid conditions, bright flashing lights, moving mechanical parts, high precarious places, outside weather conditions, and extreme heat.
• The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes and/or airborne particles at or below the PEL, toxic or caustic chemicals, and heat and cold.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually very loud, + 90 dB.

SAFETY

Must comply with company, federal, state, and local safety and environmental rules and regulations while performing daily job tasks.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT COMMITMENT

Any qualified individual with a disability who is having difficulty in completing an application because of incompatible technology or other disability-related application issues may contact us at the following phone number for assistance: 251-445-1932. Austal's commitment to equal employment opportunity applies at all levels of employment, in all job titles, including the executive level, and to all employment actions, including but not limited to decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, training, and promotion.

ABOUT AUSTAL USA

Austal USA is a ship manufacturer headquartered in Mobile, Ala., with service centers in San Diego and Singapore and a technology center in Charlottesville, Va. With the most modern steel panel line in the shipbuilding industry, Austal USA's facility is capable of supporting the manufacture of both aluminum and steel ships. Austal USA leverages a moving module production line and strict adherence to lean manufacturing principles to consistently deliver on-schedule and on-budget. Austal USA is currently under contract for several programs, including the U.S. Coast Guard's Heritage-class Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC), the TAGOS-25 ocean surveillance ships, the Spearhead-class Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF), the Navajo-class Towing, Salvage and Rescue ships (T-ATS), the Expeditionary Medical Ship (EMS), the Auxiliary Floating Dry Dock Medium (AFDM), and the Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), and is supporting Navy unmanned vessel programs leveraging its advanced machinery control system. Austal USA's service business provides global support to U.S. Navy, Military Sealift Command and other customers. Austal USA's San Diego Service Center includes a waterfront facility that will have the capability to drydock small combatants and similar-sized ships. Earning 23 safety excellence awards, Austal USA continues to be one of the safest shipyards in America.