VTS Director

U.S. Coast Guard•Sault Ste. Marie, MI

10d•Onsite

About The Position

The VTS Director is a GS-2150-13 civilian position with the U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, in the Sector Northern Great Lakes Command Cadre in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. The director oversees the regional Vessel Traffic Service (VTS), liaises daily with port partners, and exercises Vessel Traffic Management regulatory authorities. The position requires a direct, unrestrained relationship with the Captain of the Port. The director supervises a blended military and civilian team, oversees vessel traffic operations, and leads the interpretation, implementation, and continuous improvement of national and local VTS policies. The role provides authoritative guidance to stakeholders and senior leadership, engages with the public to represent VTS policies and procedures, and coordinates with Coast Guard and other military officials, vessel operators, coworkers, and maritime industry representatives. It also involves strategic planning, resource optimization, budget management through research and analysis, and leading special projects to improve VTS capabilities and incident-response readiness. The position has a positive education requirement and requires at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level. A Secret clearance, successful background investigation and pre-employment drug test, and a valid state driver's license are required. Other conditions include U.S. citizenship, Selective Service registration or exemption, direct deposit of federal salary payments, and meeting time-in-grade requirements. A one-year probationary period may apply.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship.
Must be registered or exempt from Selective Service.
Meet all qualification requirements, including time-in-grade, by the announcement closing date.
Meet the positive education requirement through qualifying undergraduate or graduate study in a listed or related field, or meet the applicable specialized-experience criteria.
At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the federal sector; education cannot substitute for experience at this grade level.
Specialized experience must include relevant work such as leading regional vessel traffic operations and enforcing maritime rules; leading a navigational safety watch floor or supervising a blended military and civilian team; representing maritime safety policies to the public; strategic planning and resource optimization; leading capability- and readiness-enhancing projects; or interpreting and improving VTS or related policies.
Submit required transcripts when qualifying based on education or when required to establish the positive education requirement.
Successfully pass a background investigation and obtain or maintain a Secret clearance.
Pass a pre-employment drug test.
Obtain and maintain a valid state driver's license.
Federal salary payments must be made by direct deposit.
Disclose qualifying current or recent political appointee service to the HR Office.

Responsibilities

Oversee the entire regional Vessel Traffic Service organization and exercise Vessel Traffic Management regulatory authorities.
Supervise a blended military and civilian team, managing performance, administration, and training.
Lead interpretation, implementation, and continuous improvement of national and local VTS policies.
Provide authoritative guidance to stakeholders and senior leadership to shape long-range maritime management strategies.
Oversee vessel traffic management operations and engage with the public to explain, promote, and represent VTS policies and procedures.
Exchange information with coworkers, Coast Guard and other military officials, vessel operators, and maritime industry representatives.
Plan strategically, optimize resources, manage the operational budget through research and analysis, and lead special projects to enhance VTS capabilities and incident-response readiness.
Liaise with port partners on a daily basis and maintain a direct, unrestrained relationship with the Captain of the Port.