Marine Machinery Repairer (MMR)

VESSEL RECRUITMENT BULLETIN

Announcement Number

GLSC-2026-01

Who May Apply

United States Citizens

Position Title

Marine Machinery Repairer (MMR)

Hiring Agency

INTERIOR, Geological Survey

Open Period

10/13/2026-10/22/2026

Duty Locations

One Vacancy in Cheboygan, MI

Series/Grade

WB-5334-00

For More Info

Name: Darryl Hondorp

Email address: dhondorp@usgs.gov

Phone#: 734-214-7232

Salary

$35.35 Per Hour -

$41.26 Per Hour

Promotion Potential

WB-5334-00

Duration of Appointment: This is a Term position (more than 1 year) with an initial appointment expecting to last at least 13 months but may be extended up to a total of four years, or more based on any changes to regulations governing the number of years term appointments may last, without further competition at management's discretion.

Work Schedule: Full-Time

Travel Required: 50% or less, may require up to 30 nights of travel per month.

Relocation: Relocation expenses will not be paid.

Promotion Potential: None

Why Is It Great To Work For The USGS?

Embark on an exciting future! From the peaks of the highest mountains to the depths of the deepest seas, the U.S. Geological Survey has career opportunities that make a difference in both the lives of others and in the environment. Would you like to join the more than 10,000 scientists, technicians, and support staff of the USGS who are working in more than 400 locations throughout the United States? Apply today! As the Nation's largest water, earth, and biological science and civilian mapping agency, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) collects, monitors, analyzes, and provides scientific understanding about natural resource conditions, issues, and problems. The diversity of our scientific expertise enables us to carry out large-scale, multi-disciplinary investigations and provide impartial, timely, and relevant scientific information to resource managers, planners, and other customers related to: the health of our ecosystems and environment; natural hazards that threaten us; natural resources we rely on, and; the impact of climate and land-use changes. For more information about the USGS please visit http://www.usgs.gov.

What General Information Do I Need To Know About This Position?
Salary: WB-5334-00 - $35.35 Per Hour (Step 01) to $41.26 Per Hour (Step 05)

NOTE: First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired at Step 01.

Key Requirements

--Applicants must be U.S. Citizens.

--Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation.

--Selectee may be subject to serving a one-year probationary period.

--Selectee must provide a valid state driver's license and safe driving record.

--Selectee is subject to successful completion or a pre-employment medical exam.

--Drug Test

--More requirements are listed under Qualifications and Other Information.

Major Duties

As a Marine Machinery Repairer (MMR) with the U.S. Geological Survey, Cheboygan Vessel Base, some of your specific duties will include:

Serves as the Marine Machinery Repairer (MMR) aboard a large vessel (between 100 and 299 gross registered tons) operated in support of fishery research on the Great Lakes.

Responsible for the operational readiness of the vessel, equipment and crew as well as for routine maintenance and safety of the research vessel while at sea.

Maintains inventory of supplies and equipment and procures parts and consumables necessary to ensure operational readiness of the research vessel and tracks expenditures within budgetary constraints.

Maintains standard maintenance and operating records for all engines and other operating machinery and equipment, and advises vessel Captain as to their maintenance, repair, and/or overhaul requirements.Exercises good safety practices in the operation of all machinery, equipment, and tools and will be particularly alert for the safety of other crew members during his/her operation of deck machinery used in experimental fishing operations.

Operates government owned vehicle as an incidental driver. Performs Crewmember duties while onboard large vessels.

USGS has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework only during emergencies or natural disaster. The official worksite for the selectee is the duty location identified in this vacancy announcement. The selectee will typically report to this location on a regular and recurring basis.

For additional information on our internal telework policy, please reference the Department of the Interior Telework Handbook at: http://www.usgs.gov/humancapital/pb/telework.html.

Physical Demands & Work Environment: While the Incumbent is responsible for the machinery spaces while underway the majority of time is spent on open deck doing fisheries sampling. The weather conditions on the Great Lakes are extremely variable. The incumbent will be required to work on a rolling deck with frequent boarding waves, requiring strength and agility. Conditions range from cold and wet with ice and snow to extremely hot and humid. Work is required during both day and night.

Incumbent must pass pre-employment physical requirements of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Large Vessel Safety Program. Work requires stamina, agility, and the ability to lift heavy objects or material at times. Incumbent must be in sound physical and mental condition at all times. Incumbent occasionally handles and/or carries objects weighing up to 50 pounds. The incumbent will be required to carry objects over watertight door combings and up or down stair passageways. Incumbent will be required to have the knowledge and experience to safely work at all times wearing personal protective equipment (PPE). Noise levels in machinery spaces exceed permissible exposure limits. Tools used and work environment will require vision, head, and fall protection. Confined space entry equipment is required in some machinery spaces. Floatation (PFD) and hypothermic exposure suits must be worn while working on the vessel deck.

The incumbent will be underway on fishery science surveys for up to 30 days in duration. During these science missions the incumbent will be required to live on board the research vessel with up to 8 other crew members. There is no ground transportation provided while in port and phone and data communication is limited while underway. The incumbent is responsible for supplying and cooking their own food.

Are There Any Special Requirements For This Position?

--This position is subject to both pre-employment and random drug testing as a condition of employment. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test is received.

-- Driver’s License/Driving Record -You will be required to operate a government-owned or -leased vehicle in the performance of your official duties. Applicants for this position must meet the following requirements: (1) possession of a valid State driver's license, and (2) possess a safe driving record. If selected, you will be required to provide proof of a valid State License and a copy of your driving record.

-- Pre-Employment Medical -Taking and passing a pre-employment medical examination at Federal expense is required due to the physical demands of this job. As part of the large vessel program, the incumbent is subject to a large vessel crewmember medical evaluation recertification every 5 years.

--Because this position requires Travel for Official business, the selectee will be required to apply for a charge card within 30 calendar days of appointment. Individuals who have delinquent account balances from a previous Government charge card will be required to satisfy their existing obligation before a new card can be issued.

--A background investigation will be required for this position. Continued employment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.

-- Although not mandatory, a U.S. Coast Guard license: 3rd Assistant Engineer or Master 100 GRT. would be highly desirable.

Evaluations

Basis of Rating: Applicants will not be rated or ranked. All applicants that meet the basic eligibility and qualification requirements of the position will be referred to the selecting official in preference eligible order.

Qualifications

For WB-5334-00: There is no specific length of training or experience required; however, applicants must be able to demonstrate the ability to perform the basic work of the position without more than normal supervision through experience shown in the written resume. To be basically qualified for this position applicants must meet the identified screen-out element.

· Screen-Out Element: Without more than normal supervision, perform the duties of a Marine Machinery Repairer such as operate, service, and repair heavy equipment.

You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the position by the closing date of the announcement.

How to Apply

Resumes for this vacancy must be submitted to the point of contact listed above via email BEFORE midnight Eastern Time on the closing date of this announcement. If you fail to submit a complete application, you will not be considered for this position.

Required Documents

--If you are claiming veterans' preference you must submit a copy of your DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, by the closing date of this announcement. If you are currently on active military duty, you must provide documentation (e.g., campaign document, award citation, etc.), that verifies entitlement to veterans preference and that your character of military service is honorable. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, in addition to the DD-214, you must submit documentation that supports your claim (e.g., an official statement from the Department of Veterans Affairs or from a branch of the Armed Forces certifying the existence of a service-connected disability; or receipt of a Purple Heart). If you fail to submit any of the required documentation, you will not be granted veterans preference. Additional information on veterans' preference can be found in the VetGuide.

--Required documents may be faxed, emailed, or mailed to the point of contact listed above.

Benefits

Working for the U.S. Geological Survey offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; health, life, dental, vision, and long term care insurance, flexible spending accounts, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System.

Other Information

--Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position.

--Under Executive Order 11935, only United States citizens and nationals (residents of American Samoa and Swains Island) may compete for civil service jobs. Agencies are permitted to hire non-citizens only in very limited circumstances where there are no qualified citizens available for the position.

--DOI uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.

--USGS employees are subject to Title 43, USC Section 31(a) and may not: (a) have any personal, private, direct or indirect interest in lands or mineral wealth of lands under survey; (b) have any substantial personal, private, direct or indirect interests in any private mining or mineral enterprise doing business with the United States; or (c) execute surveys or examinations for private parties or corporations.

--The application contains information subject to the Privacy Act (P.L. 93-579, 5 USC 552a). The information is used to determine qualifications for employment, and is authorized under Title 5, USC, Section 3302 and 3361.

--The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.

-- Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

--If you misrepresent your experience or education, or provide false or fraudulent information in or with your application, it may be grounds for not hiring you or for firing you after you begin work. Making false or fraudulent statements also may be punishable by fine or imprisonment.

-- If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law.

-- If selected you may be asked to provide information regarding your COVID-19 vaccination status for the purposes of implementing workplace safety protocols, such as those related to masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine.

Pay: $35.35 - $41.26 per hour

Expected hours: No less than 40.0 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $35 - $41