Port Pilot 5151

City of Los Angeles•Los Angeles, CA

1d•$264,758 - $293,886

About The Position

A Port Pilot navigates oceangoing vessels entering or leaving Los Angeles Harbor and operates communications and navigational equipment. Entry-level Paygrade I positions are temporary training positions, limited to two years. During that time, employees must qualify for advancement to the Port Pilot II level. The position requires one of several qualifying backgrounds: experience as a licensed officer aboard qualifying oceangoing vessels; experience operating ship-assist tugboats in a major U.S. port; experience as a licensed officer of an Articulated Tug Barge Unit; experience towing large barges; or experience as a fully trained port pilot. Each pathway requires specified current U.S. Coast Guard credentials and Radar Observer (Unlimited) endorsement. Applicants must submit required credentials and, for certain pathways, sea-service documentation with their application. Before appointment, candidates must provide proof of a current U.S. Coast Guard credential endorsed as a First Class Pilot for vessels on the waters of Los Angeles–Long Beach Harbors and approaches, subject to the stated vessel-tonnage limitation. A valid California Class C driver's license is required at filing. Employees must maintain the physical stamina and agility to board and disembark ships at sea by climbing a Jacob’s ladder in varying weather and sea conditions. Selection consists entirely of an interview. The interview may assess judgment, composure, job interest, teamwork, credibility, oral communication, safety focus, and job knowledge, including navigation and maritime regulations, piloting communications and navigation equipment, and the pilot-master relationship. Interviews may take place in Los Angeles or online.

Requirements

One of the following qualifying experience and credential combinations: two years of recent, full-time paid experience as a U.S. Coast Guard licensed Master, Staff Captain, First Officer, or Chief Mate of an inspected vessel of at least 5,000 Gross Tons upon oceans, with the specified current U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential and Radar Observer (Unlimited) endorsement.
Alternatively, three years of recent, full-time paid experience operating a ship-assist tugboat within a major U.S. port, with the specified current U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential and Radar Observer (Unlimited) endorsement.
Alternatively, two years of recent, full-time paid experience as a U.S. Coast Guard licensed Master or Chief Mate of an Articulated Tug Barge Unit of at least 9,000 Gross Tons upon oceans or near coastal waters, with the specified current U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential and Radar Observer (Unlimited) endorsement.
Alternatively, two years of recent, full-time paid experience as Master of Towing Vessels of at least 99 Gross Registered Tons towing barges greater than 5,000 Gross Registered Tons upon oceans, near coastal, or inland U.S. waters, with the specified current U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential and Radar Observer (Unlimited) endorsement.
Alternatively, three years of recent, full-time paid experience as a fully trained port pilot docking and undocking oceangoing or coastwise vessels in a major U.S. port, with the specified current U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential and Radar Observer (Unlimited) endorsement.
Qualifying experience must meet the bulletin’s recency and service-day definitions. Recent qualifying experience is at least two years of full-time paid experience within the five years immediately preceding the bulletin open date.
Submit copies of required U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credentials, including applicable Radar Observer (Unlimited) endorsement, with the online application.
Applicants using qualifying experience under requirements 1–4 must submit the specified Sea Service Discharge Certificates or declarations for all vessels used to establish experience.
Before appointment, present proof of a current U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential endorsed as a First Class Pilot for vessels of any Gross Tons on the waters of Los Angeles–Long Beach Harbors, including San Pedro Bay and approaches; credentials limited to vessels under 40,000 Gross Tons are accepted.
Applicants filing under requirement 5 must provide a letter from their State Board of Pilot Commissioners or Pilot Association President confirming specified training, piloting, service-lapse, and recent ship-move dates.
Possess a valid California DMV Class C driver's license at the time of filing.
Maintain the physical stamina and agility needed to climb a Jacob’s ladder to board and disembark ships at sea in all manners of weather and sea conditions.
A final average score of 70% or higher is required for placement on the eligible list.

Responsibilities

Navigate oceangoing vessels entering or leaving Los Angeles Harbor.
Operate communications and navigational equipment.
Board and disembark ships at sea by climbing a Jacob’s ladder in varying weather and sea conditions.