2025 DRBA Assistant Port Engineer

ADK Consulting & Executive Search•New Castle, DE

About The Position

This position is an independent leader of the Marine Engineers and Maintenance staff for the Cape May-Lewes Ferry (CMLF). This position is responsible for assisting the Port Engineer in determining the priorities for the department and setting a clear action plan to deliver on those priorities to ensure the CMLF fleet is operated, repaired, and maintained in accordance with regulatory requirements, best practice, company standards, and customer expectations. This position manages several key positions, including highly skilled technicians to ensure that quality and timely maintenance and repair activities are completed, and that performance is measured and feedback is provided. This position utilizes resources in order to deliver on key operational priorities. This position is responsible for project planning and management. In the absence of the Port Engineer, the Assistant Port Engineer acts on his/her behalf. This position reports to the Port Engineer.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or appropriate work equivalent experience in roles with increasing levels of responsibility
Three (3) years of experience in supervisory roles in transportation or maintenance, including direct supervision of marine maintenance work forces, five (5) years preferred
Experience in the repair and maintenance of Fairbanks Morse Opposed Piston diesel engines preferred
Three (3) years of experience with EMD, Caterpillar and/or Detroit Diesel engines and marine propulsion air and electronic control systems preferred
Three (3) years of experience in the repair and maintenance of commercial vessel propulsion components including line shaft bearings, air compressors, hydraulic systems and other ancillary systems
USCG Chief Engineer’s license for vessel of the size and type used in Cape May-Lewes Ferry Operation and valid MMD within six (6) months of employment
Valid Transportation Workers Identification Credential (TWIC)
Valid driver’s license

Nice To Haves

Certifications from a marine diesel engine manufacturer school, Fairbanks Morse, EMD, Caterpillar, and/or Detroit Diesel (71 Series) preferred

Responsibilities

Ensures maximum vessel fleet availability and reliability
Participates in development, implementation and maintenance of policies, objectives, short- and long-range planning; develops and implements projects and programs to assist in accomplishment of established goals
Assists in the development of the CMLF maintenance plan, and sets overall priorities and performance standards for preventive and predictive maintenance for assigned areas and assigned personnel
Assists in overseeing and execution of the annual and monthly preventative maintenance plans; directs seasonal support activities, including off-season servicing of equipment, systems, and infrastructure; uses computerized maintenance program to monitor maintenance trends, progress of maintenance, and to manage work orders
Uses systems to maintain records on equipment, inventories, and preventative maintenance activities and analyzes these records to implement or recommend improvements
Manages and oversees the supervision of personnel in assigned area, including work allocation, training, and problem resolution; evaluates performance and makes recommendations for personnel actions; motivates employees to achieve peak productivity and performance
Effectively communicates with assigned personnel to set priorities, and to understand and handle employee issues; meets regularly with and involves assigned personnel to determine best vessel upgrades, and improvements, and best practices for vessel maintenance and repairs
Primary manager of night watch operations, to include: watering, pumping of sewage and bilges, and various maintenance activities to ensure uninterrupted resumption of service the next day
Assists in the management of the CMLF warehouse inventory to meet anticipated maintenance and repair needs, while also managing costs
Develops training plans (mandated and career development) for all assigned employees and ensures their compliance with established policies, procedures, and regulations
Assists with development of budgets; seeks best value and analyzes expenses for potential operating, repairs and maintenance savings
Seeks to balance quality and cost in all purchases required by the department; follow all Authority guidelines for purchase approvals, as well as scope development and solicitation of bids, and manages vendor relationships according to Authority guidelines
Manages on-site shipyard work during dry-docking and other repair evolutions to ensure contract specifications are being met and best quality is achieved, negotiates change orders, documents project schedule, and handles pay estimates
Interfaces with regulatory and government agencies, vendors, contractors, and customers on matters related to maintenance and operations; specialist on regulatory issues regarding marine maintenance; assists as liaison with the U.S. Coast Guard for inspections
Participates in environmental and safety planning and compliance within policies and regulations to include the execution of mandated inspection processes, acts as a Qualified Individual under the Facility Response Plan; secondary manager of the Fuel Oil Transfer Procedures
Provides the highest level of customer service and professionalism to all internal and external customers
Works as duty officer as needed, dispatching crew and handling other operational needs
On occasion, sails in an underway capacity to fill staffing needs
Other duties as assigned