Ferry Ordinary Seaman - Relief

State of Maine • Rockland, MA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Ferry Ordinary Seaman - Relief position serves as an Ordinary Seafarer with the Maine State Ferry Service in Rockland, Maine. The role requires familiarity with ferry vessel deck operations and a current U.S. Coast Guard Ordinary Seaman certificate and Merchant Mariner Document with an OS endorsement. The employee must also hold a valid Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC). The selected candidate may fill in as a Deckhand when required.

The work includes cleaning passenger cabins, heads, the pilothouse, and other vessel spaces; standing helm and lookout watches; and performing minor maintenance and painting. Work may be up to 11.5 hours per day and includes weekends and holidays. The employee performs other duties as required by the immediate supervisor. The selected applicant must pass pre-employment drug screening as described in 49 CFR Part 40.

New employees start at $23.01 per hour (Step 8), including a 15% stipend. The position is with the Maine Department of Transportation, Maine State Ferry Service, in Rockland, Maine. Applications opened October 19, 2026, and close November 2, 2026. Applicants should apply online and upload a cover letter, current resume, and applicable transcripts, licenses, registrations, and certifications.

The State of Maine describes its employee compensation package as including paid holidays and leave, health and dental insurance, and retirement plan contributions. Benefits may vary by collective bargaining agreement and are prorated for less than full-time work.

Requirements

• Graduation from high school or equivalent.
• Experience as a deck crew member on vessels operating on ocean or coastwise routes.
• Familiarity with ferry service vessel deck operations.
• A current U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document (MMD) with an Ordinary Seaman (OS) endorsement, or Certificate as Ordinary Seaman issued by the U.S. Coast Guard.
• A valid current Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC).
• Pass pre-employment drug screening as outlined in 49 CFR Part 40.
• Willingness to clean vessel spaces and work weekends, holidays, and shifts of up to 11.5 hours per day.

Responsibilities

• Perform ferry vessel deck operations as an Ordinary Seafarer.
• Clean passenger cabins, heads, the pilothouse, and other vessel spaces.
• Stand helm and lookout watches.
• Perform minor maintenance and painting.
• Fill in as a Deckhand when required.
• Perform other duties as required by the immediate supervisor.

Benefits

• 13 paid holidays
• More than three weeks of vacation leave annually, with accrual increasing with years of service
• Personal leave for overtime-exempt employees
• 12 days of sick leave annually
• State-paid 85%–95% of employee-only health insurance premiums, depending on salary
• Health insurance premium credit of up to 5% for participation
• State-paid 100% of employee-only dental insurance premiums
• State contribution equivalent to 14.06% of employee pay toward the Maine Public Employees Retirement System

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED