AMHS Steward

ATTENTION ALL ALASKA RESIDENTS!

Set sail on a career where your office is the Alaska coastline and every day brings new scenery and new people. As a Steward with the Alaska Marine Highway System, you’ll be part of the crew that keeps communities connected while delivering a great experience to every passenger onboard.

Salary Schedules for Probationary Steward are as follows:

Southwest (SW) Route:
Resident: $26.46 / hourly (OT Eligible)
 Non-Resident: $22.17 / hourly (OT Eligible)

Southeast (SE) Route:
Resident: $28.78 / hourly (OT Eligible)
 Non-Resident: $24.07 / hourly (OT Eligible)

Once Probation is complete, salary schedules are as follows:

Southwest (SW) Route:
Resident: $29.07 / hourly (OT Eligible)
 Non-Resident: $25.26 / hourly (OT Eligible)

Southeast (SE) Route:
Resident: $31.65 / hourly (OT Eligible)
 Non-Resident: $24.47 / hourly (OT Eligible)

What you will be doing:
As a Steward, you will help create a safe, welcoming, and enjoyable experience for passengers aboard Alaska State Ferries in a fast-paced, hands-on environment. You will provide customer service, prepare and serve food, handle cash transactions, clean and maintain passenger areas, support daily vessel operations, and follow all safety procedures while working collaboratively with a diverse crew. Flexibility is essential, as duties, schedules, and work areas may vary by assignment.

Our organization, mission, and culture:
The Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) is a vital part of the State of Alaska’s transportation network, connecting coastal communities that are not accessible by road. As part of the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities, AMHS plays a critical role in keeping Alaska moving—supporting residents, businesses, and visitors through safe and reliable marine service.

Our mission is to provide essential transportation services that strengthen Alaska’s communities, promote economic opportunity, and ensure safe, efficient travel across the state’s coastal regions.

At AMHS, our culture is built on teamwork, service, and pride in what we do. Life at sea requires a strong commitment to safety, accountability, and supporting one another in a dynamic, 24/7 environment. We value employees who are adaptable, hardworking, and dedicated to serving the public. Whether working behind the scenes or directly with passengers, every crew member contributes to delivering a positive and professional experience onboard.

The working environment you can expect:

Working aboard AMHS means operating in a dynamic, fast-paced marine environment across Alaska’s coastal routes, where schedules, locations, and crew rotations are driven by vessel operations.

The Alaska Marine Highway System operates across two distinct service regions. The Southeast (SE) route serves communities between Bellingham, Washington, and Skagway, Alaska, and is the primary operating area for most vessels. The Southwest (SW) route serves more remote communities between Cordova and the Aleutian Chain and has a smaller relief pool. Current recruitment efforts are primarily focused on the Southeast region.

AMHS vessel operations run 24/7, including days, nights, weekends, and holidays. Employees are typically assigned to a week-on/week-off rotation, working an average of 84 hours per week while onboard. Daily schedules may range from 8 to 12 hours and can include split shifts. Vessel assignments are managed by dispatch, and daily duties are directed by vessel supervisors. Flexibility is essential, as crew members may be reassigned or asked to work in different roles during their hitch.

Crew change locations are as follows: 

Southeast (SE): Ketchikan, Juneau

Southwest (SW): Homer, Valdez

The benefits of joining our team:

Joining the Alaska Marine Highway System offers more than just a job—it’s an opportunity to be part of something that truly connects Alaska.

As a Steward, you will:

• Travel throughout the beautiful and diverse State of Alaska, experiencing coastal communities and scenery few people get to see 
• Be part of a system that Alaskans rely on every day, building meaningful connections with local communities and passengers 
• Gain valuable, hands-on experience in hospitality, customer service, and maritime operations 
• Have access to strong career growth and promotional opportunities within AMHS, including advancement into higher-level shipboard positions 
• Receive State of Alaska benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid leave 
• Work in a supportive team environment that values hard work, reliability, and personal growth 
• Build a long-term career with opportunities for training, skill development, and workforce advancement 

This is a unique opportunity to earn a living while exploring Alaska, developing your skills, and being part of a team that keeps communities connected.

Who we are looking for:

To be successful in this position, the selected applicant will possess the following core competencies: 

• Customer Service: Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside the Government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services.
• Food Service: Knowledge of preparing and serving food for consumption
• Interpersonal Skills: Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations; is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences.
• Computer Skills: Uses computers, software applications, databases, and automated systems to accomplish work.

To view the general description and example of duties for the position please go to the following link:

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/Alaska/classspecs

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

Preferred (but not required):

**NOTE: PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY**

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (UPON FINAL HIRE OFFER) 

Applicants selected for hire will receive a conditional offer memo outlining all required certifications and timelines. Required documents are not needed at the time of offer.

Candidates will have up to four months to obtain and submit all required credentials; however, all credentials must be completed prior to dispatch. 

Some credentials require U.S. Citizenship or Legal Residency and successful completion of a background check. All associated costs are the responsibility of the candidate.

Once all documents are submitted and verified, a final offer will be issued, including start date and dispatch details.

Our onboarding team will be available to guide candidates through the process of obtaining required credentials.

Below is the list of required certifications:

• TWIC (Transportation Worker Identification Credential): This credential is issued by Transportation Security Administration (TSA), a division of the Department of Homeland Security. The ability to obtain this credential will require a criminal history/background check. The application process takes several weeks and must be started before applying for the MMC (Merchant Mariner Credential). More information is available at Transportation Security Administration
• MMC (Merchant Mariner Credential): This credential is issued by the National Maritime Center, a division of United States Coast Guard (USCG). Please contact your nearest USCG office for obtaining the MMC or go online to the listed website below. There are different versions of the MMC. Select the Entry Level application option and ensure you have the Steward (FH) endorsement and Medical Certificate on your MMC. You must possess or apply for your TWIC before you can apply for your MMC. More information is available at National Maritime Center
• DOT Drug Test: All prospective employees must submit to a pre-employment chemical test for drugs and must receive a negative test result prior to performing employee functions. The test must have been done within the 6 months prior to your new hire orientation. If an MMC was obtained recently, the test results will be included in your MMC paperwork. You may otherwise get your test done at USCG authorized drug testing facility.
• Alaska Food Worker Card: This card is issued by Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Application is available online at dec.alaska.gov
• Training for Alcohol Professionals (TAP): This certification is required for any crew member 21 and older. Information for obtaining this certification is available at alaskatap.com

ALASKA RESIDENTS ONLY
Please be sure to check our residency definition to determine if you qualify.

EDUCATION 

To verify education is being used to meet and/or support the required minimum qualifications/competencies, you must fill in the Education section of the application. If you have not obtained a degree, please indicate the number of units completed. Copies of transcripts are required to verify educational credentials used to meet or support the minimum qualifications/competencies for a position and are required with each application. (Unofficial is okay; please ensure the institution/URL name is listed on the transcripts). Transcripts can be attached at the time of application or provided at the time of interview; if not, transcripts will be required before employment. 
  
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FOREIGN EDUCATION

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements, if applicable. If utilizing this education you must show that the education credentials have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and that such education has been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs; or an accredited U.S. state university reports the other institution as one whose transcript is given full value, or full value is given in subject areas applicable to the curricula at the state university. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.
  
WORK EXPERIENCE
If using work experience not already documented in your application, also provide the employer’s name, your job title, dates of employment, and whether full-or part-time. Applications will be reviewed to determine if the responses are supported, and minimum qualifications are clearly met. If they are not, the applicant may not advance to the interview and selection phase of the recruitment.

NOTE: Attaching a resume or curriculum vitae is not an alternative to filling out the application in its entirety. Noting "see resume or CV" or any similar response on any portion of your application may lead to a determination your application is incomplete and removal from consideration for this job posting.

EEO STATEMENT

The State of Alaska complies with Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Individuals with disabilities, who require accommodation, auxiliary aides or services, or alternative communication formats, please call 1-800-587-0430 or (907) 465-4095 in Juneau or TTY: Alaska Relay 711 or 1-800-770-8973 or correspond with the Division of Personnel & Labor Relations at: P.O. Box 110201, Juneau, AK 99811-0201. The State of Alaska is an equal opportunity employer.

For specific information about this position, please contact the hiring manager at the following: 
  
Name: Jocelyn Swindel

Phone: (907) 388-9540
Email: Jocelyn.Swindel@alaska.gov

Salary : $22 - $32