Ferry Chief Engineer

Description of Work

This position with NCDOT offers full State Benefits, competitive salaries and many career development opportunities.

Work in this class involves full responsibility for supervising and coordinating activities of vessel personnel engaged in operating and maintaining propulsion and other engines, generators, deck, machinery, electrical, refrigeration and sanitation equipment and other related systems on board ferry vessels. Employees operate the engineering systems in accordance with rules and regulations established by the U.S. Coast Guard, North Carolina Department of Transportation and policies and procedures of the Ferry Division. Employees are responsible for following all safety and Homeland Security rules and regulations. Work is reviewed by superiors through written reports and by inspections performed by United States Coast Guard personnel. Employees may perform other duties as required.

This position works out of the Hatteras Operations

Shift work – 7 days on and 7 days off (Tuesday – Monday)

Housing during the working shift may be available

A COPY OF BOTH TWIC AND MERCHANT MARINER CREDENTIAL ENDORSED AS 1000 HORSEPOWER LIMITED CHIEF ENGINEER OR HIGHER; OR LICENSE AS 1000 HORSEPOWER LIMITED ASSISTANT ENGINEER OR HIGHER; OR 4000 HORSEPOWER DESIGNATED DUTY ENGINEER OR HIGHER MUST BE PRESENTED AT THE INTERVIEW PROCESS.

DUTIES INCLUDE BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

Checks, operates, and maintains marine equipment such as engines, generators, steering gears, pumps, and other auxiliary equipment; performs minor emergency repairs while underway.

Executes orders received from the Ferry Master pertaining to starting, stopping, speed of vessel, and other operations while vessel is underway.

Maintains and operates all below-deck firefighting equipment.

Prepares and maintains records of all tools and parts; keeps daily logs of all machinery operations such as engine rpms, time, temperature, pressures, oil changes, quantity of fuel and water aboard, and all repairs made to engines auxiliary equipment.

Participates in minor repairs on motors, auxiliary equipment, and the hull.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies

Applicants must submit an application that clearly reflects work experience that demonstrates the following:

Knowledge of the operations, maintenance and repairs of marine diesel and gas engines, pumps, generators and other auxiliary equipment.

Knowledge of State, Federal, and U.S. Coast Guard laws and regulations regarding occupational hazards and safety precautions for engine room work aboard vessels.

Demonstrated ability supervising personnel in all areas of engine room operations.

Demonstrated ability to overhaul and maintain complex engineering equipment up to including large internal combustion diesel engines.

Skill in repairing and performing required periodic maintenance of the vessel’s equipment in accordance with manufactures instructions, Coast Guard regulations and Ferry Division Policy.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See oshr.nc.gov/experience-guide for detail.

Possession of a valid U.S. Coast Guard license as Chief Engineer or Designated Duty Engineer with the appropriate horsepower for the vessel operated. Necessary Special Qualification Possession of a Transportation Worker Identification Credential Card (TWIC) issued by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

Supplemental and Contact Information

René Basnight,,

Applicants must meet both the minimum requirements and all posted Knowledge, Skills and Ability requirements to be considered Qualified for the position. It is important that your application includes all your relevant education and work experience and that you answer all questions associated with the application.

NCDOT will not accept “See Attached” or “See Resume” in lieu of education and work experience completed on the application. If multiple applications are submitted to an individual posting, only the most recent application received prior to the posting date will be accepted.