Heavy Equipment Operator (Watercraft Operator)

Bowhead•Vista, CA

10d•Onsite

About The Position

Bowhead is seeking an experienced Watercraft Operator to support military maritime operations and testing at Camp Pendleton, California. The position will operate and maintain RHIBs and other military watercraft while supporting safe, reliable, and effective test operations.

Requirements

Minimum of 10 years of military experience operating and maintaining small boats.
Current U.S. Coast Guard license with equivalent small-boat operating experience.
Demonstrated experience supporting military maritime operations, watercraft testing, sea trials, and test and evaluation activities.
Demonstrated experience operating and maintaining watercraft comparable to Military vessels, including 11-meter RHIBs and 64-foot workboats.
Proficiency in marine navigation and communication systems, including radar, GPS, nautical charts, compass, depth sounder/fathometer, marine VHF/UHF radios, and other vessel-to-vessel and vessel-to-shore communication equipment.
Experience operating night-vision/electro-optic systems and pyrotechnic signaling equipment.
Extensive experience coordinating and safely operating multiple watercraft in close proximity to other vessels, waterborne structures, and personnel, including 10/11-meter RHIB operations at speeds ranging from below one knot to approximately 45 knots.
Experience supporting military and emergency scuba-diving operations, including live-boat operations and maintaining vessel position and stability while divers are in the water.
Thorough understanding of maritime emergency procedures, including communications and coordination with civilian and military Search and Rescue personnel and helicopter/stokes-basket medical evacuation operations.
Demonstrated experience with over-the-horizon navigation and offshore operations up to 50 nautical miles from shore, including support of launches from amphibious shipping.
Experience conducting or supporting safe passenger and personnel transfers between small boats and naval vessels using Jacobs ladders, stern gates, or other approved transfer methods.
Demonstrated experience performing or supporting maintenance, troubleshooting, and repairs involving marine engines, transmissions, electrical systems, electronics, steering systems, fuel systems, and associated vessel equipment.
Experience conducting pre- and post-operational inspections, identifying equipment deficiencies, troubleshooting problems, performing preventive and corrective maintenance, and coordinating repairs.
Ability to accurately maintain vessel logs, maintenance records, inspection documentation, discrepancy reports, test records, and other required operational documentation.
Experience following test procedures, supporting test objectives, collecting and documenting operational data, recording test results, and coordinating with test personnel and government representatives.
Working knowledge of maritime safety procedures, risk management, emergency equipment, personal protective equipment, crew safety, and safe operating practices.
Demonstrated ability to safely operate watercraft during day and night operations and under varying weather, sea-state, visibility, and operational conditions.
Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment and make timely decisions regarding vessel operations, weather and sea conditions, personnel safety, equipment limitations, and emergency situations.
Prior experience supporting Department of Defense, Department of the Navy, or other military test and evaluation organizations.
Experience operating and maintaining 11-meter RHIBs, LCACs, workboats, or similar military watercraft.
Experience supporting amphibious operations and ship-to-small-boat operations.
Experience supporting military diving, underwater test, or emergency response operations.
Formal training or certification in small-boat operations, navigation, maritime safety, first aid/CPR, or emergency response.
Experience operating marine radar, GPS/navigation systems, night-vision/electro-optic systems, and other specialized test or operational equipment.
Experience with diesel marine propulsion systems, waterjets, transmissions, electrical systems, and marine electronics.
Experience working directly with government personnel, Contracting Officer Representatives (CORs), engineers, and other government representatives.
Must be able to lift up to 75 pounds.
Must be able to stand and walk for prolonged amounts of time.
Must be able to twist, bend and squat periodically.
Must be able to successfully pass a background check.
US Citizenship is required.

Responsibilities

Operate and maintain RHIBs and other military watercraft.
Support safe, reliable, and effective test operations.
Operate and maintain small boats, including 10/11-meter RHIBs or larger watercraft.
Support military maritime operations, watercraft testing, sea trials, and test and evaluation activities.
Operate and maintain watercraft comparable to Military vessels, including 11-meter RHIBs and 64-foot workboats.
Utilize marine navigation and communication systems, including radar, GPS, nautical charts, compass, depth sounder/fathometer, marine VHF/UHF radios, and other vessel-to-vessel and vessel-to-shore communication equipment.
Operate night-vision/electro-optic systems and pyrotechnic signaling equipment.
Coordinate and safely operate multiple watercraft in close proximity to other vessels, waterborne structures, and personnel.
Perform 10/11-meter RHIB operations at speeds ranging from below one knot to approximately 45 knots.
Support military and emergency scuba-diving operations, including live-boat operations and maintaining vessel position and stability while divers are in the water.
Understand maritime emergency procedures, including communications and coordination with civilian and military Search and Rescue personnel and helicopter/stokes-basket medical evacuation operations.
Perform over-the-horizon navigation and offshore operations up to 50 nautical miles from shore.
Support launches from amphibious shipping.
Conduct or support safe passenger and personnel transfers between small boats and naval vessels using Jacobs ladders, stern gates, or other approved transfer methods.
Perform or support maintenance, troubleshooting, and repairs involving marine engines, transmissions, electrical systems, electronics, steering systems, fuel systems, and associated vessel equipment.
Conduct pre- and post-operational inspections, identify equipment deficiencies, troubleshoot problems, perform preventive and corrective maintenance, and coordinate repairs.
Accurately maintain vessel logs, maintenance records, inspection documentation, discrepancy reports, test records, and other required operational documentation.
Follow test procedures, support test objectives, collect and document operational data, record test results, and coordinate with test personnel and government representatives.
Apply working knowledge of maritime safety procedures, risk management, emergency equipment, personal protective equipment, crew safety, and safe operating practices.
Safely operate watercraft during day and night operations and under varying weather, sea-state, visibility, and operational conditions.
Exercise sound judgment and make timely decisions regarding vessel operations, weather and sea conditions, personnel safety, equipment limitations, and emergency situations.
Perform other duties as assigned.