Marine Captain (SDA)

King County•Seattle, WA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

King County Metro Transit's Marine Division is hiring a Marine Captain for the Water Taxi team. Captains work onboard Water Taxi vessels based out of the Pier 50 passenger-only ferry terminal on the Seattle waterfront. Under the direction of the Port Captain, the Marine Captain commands the vessel and all crew activities in alignment with applicable regulations and service schedules. This role is critical for providing consistent leadership of vessel operations, ensuring open communication between crews and shoreside management, and ensuring the safety and security of the vessel, its passengers, and crew members. This position directly supports the County's interest in ensuring commuters have a reliable way to access downtown through Vashon Island and West Seattle service routes. King County has been operating Water Taxi services since October 2009, and the Marine Division joined King County Metro in 2019 to help Metro meet its goals of incorporating multiple transit modes. The Water Taxi provides year-round service 7 days a week, 11 to 17 hours daily, on two routes originating at Pier 50 in downtown Seattle: one to West Seattle and the other to Vashon Island. This recruitment is for one Special Duty Assignment (SDA) for a Marine Captain and may be used to generate an eligibility pool for future SDA vacancies within the Marine Division, which will be retained for six months.

Requirements

A valid Transportation Workers Identification Credential (TWIC) issued by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
A valid United States Coast Guard (USCG) Merchant Mariner's Document (MMD) or Merchant Mariner's Credential (MMC) with minimum endorsement of 100 Ton Master License valid upon Inland Waters.
A valid Marine Radio Operator Permit (MP) issued by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
One (1) or more years of work experience serving in the role of Captain on a high-speed USCG-inspected passenger vessel; or, be a King County Water Taxi employee currently placed in the King County Metro Transit Marine Division Captain’s Eligibility List and having held this status for one (1) or more years; or, some combination thereof totaling one (1) or more years.

Nice To Haves

Leadership experience.
Experience navigating US Coast Guard-inspected passenger vessel in Pacific Northwest waters.
Experience operating high speed vessels.
Certification in Fire Safety Training and Life Saving Training.
Ability to work effectively with others in a work environment that embraces and encourages diversity in its workforce and where differences are valued.
Ability to demonstrate behaviors that include fairness, respect, and inclusiveness.
Ability to respond safely, effectively, and expeditiously during an emergency.
Effective communication skills, both written and verbal.
Ability to resolve conflict, solve problems, and listen effectively.
Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.
Knowledge of workload planning and scheduling, with ability to effectively manage competing priorities.
Basic computer skills with knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, such as Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams, and computerized work order systems, e.g. EAM.
Ability to be punctual in order to provide reliable sailings as scheduled for the traveling public.

Responsibilities

Prepare the vessel for service and for turnover or shutdown.
Be responsible for vessel navigation and maneuvering demonstrating knowledge of the rules of the road, determine course and speed of vessel using knowledge of weather, tides, and currents.
Supervise crew on duty to ensure safe, efficient ferry operations.
Serve as the person-in-charge aboard the vessel, communicate with other vessels, shoreside, law enforcement, emergency services, and division management as needed.
Ensure vessel is operated in strict compliance with U. S. Coast Guard and other applicable regulations; render aid to other vessels or individuals in distress in accordance with maritime law.
Serve as Vessel Security Officer and perform security duties in accordance with regulations; maintain security equipment in good operating condition; conduct safety and security checks.
Conduct crew training and perform drills as required; under direction of the Port Captain, conduct staff training in passenger safety orientation and other related subjects as required for safe operation.
Maintain all vessel logs and associated records.
Ensure the vessel and navigational aids are in good operational condition and well maintained.
Perform vessel and dock maintenance.
Adhere to the published service schedule with the goal of maintaining on-time performance.
Ensure the crew adequately performs housekeeping duties and the vessel is maintained in a sanitary condition.