Tugboat Deckhand – On-Call Waterfront Operations

City of Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Chicago's Department of Water Management is seeking a Deck Hand to support tugboat operations, mooring, and routine maintenance on a city-owned vessel. This on-site role involves assisting with line handling, passenger support, fueling and equipment tasks.

Applicants must have at least three years of deckhand experience, a Merchant Mariner's Document with Able Bodied Seaman-Unlimited endorsement, and be able to perform physically demanding work. Work hours typically 0600–1430.

Qualifications

• Three years of work experience as a deckhand or crew member assisting in the operation and maintenance of a tugboat, tow boat or vessel.

Responsibilities

• Under supervision, provides manual support to assist in the operation and maintenance of a city-owned tugboat.
• Handles lines to moor vessel, tie up vessel during docking and departing operations, and to rig towing lines.
• Guides the vessel away from dock and ensures that lines are properly stowed.
• Loads and unloads supplies, materials, equipment, to and from vessels; operates a forklift as needed.
• Assists passengers boarding and departing the vessel and to the water intake cribs.
• Connects and disconnects fuel hoses and electrical lines.
• Secures the tugboat to barge for the purpose of towing and ensures barge is secured to the dock before tugboat is released.
• Signals and guides the Marine Pilot for the purpose of ensuring the safe and effective movement of the vessel during barge moves.
• Stands steering watches and lookout watches while underway.
• Assists the Marine Engineer during fuel transfer operations and in maintenance of the vessel's engine and equipment.
• Operates, maintains and repairs tugboat equipment (e.g., winches, cranes) and uses hand tools to splice and repair cables and ropes.
• Performs general housekeeping and maintenance functions (e.g., washes deck, paints superstructure, polishes metal).
• Assists Tugboat Coordinator with ice mitigation and removal.
• Instructs passengers on safe boating practices and procedures (e.g., location of survival suits, life jackets, fire extinguishers).
• Assists with buoy deployment and retrieval operations, as required.

Job description

The City of Chicago's Department of Water Management is seeking a Deck Hand to support tugboat operations, mooring, and routine maintenance on a city-owned vessel. This on-site role involves assisting with line handling, passenger support, fueling and equipment tasks.

Applicants must have at least three years of deckhand experience, a Merchant Mariner's Document with Able Bodied Seaman-Unlimited endorsement, and be able to perform physically demanding work. Work hours typically 0600–1430.