Senior Merchant Mariner Evaluation Specialist (Deck)

This vacancy is for a GS - 2101 - 13, Senior Merchant Mariner Evaluation Specialist (Deck) located in the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard, NMC MARINER EXAMINATIONS BRANCH in Location Negotiable After Selection

You will serve as a Senior Merchant Mariner Evaluation Specialist (Deck) and be responsible for providing advisory services and administering the regulatory provisions and controls for examinations supporting the Merchant Mariner Credentialing program. In this role, you will be responsible for the examination of merchant marine personnel and the development of knowledge-based competency examinations and examination systems. Being a Coast Guard civilian makes you a valuable member of the Coast Guard team. Typical work assignments include: Managing the full lifecycle of deck examination content, from development to revision, by researching technical and legal sources to create new material and ensure exams are current with vessel technology. Directing the item analysis program by performing and interpreting complex psychometric evaluations, providing authoritative feedback to training providers, and making final decisions on revising or removing flawed test items. Acting as the final technical authority for the branch by responding to the most complex internal and external inquiries, challenges, and reconsideration requests related to maritime credentialing and examinations. Providing authoritative guidance, on-the-job training, and direction to other examination specialists (GS-12s) and regional exam centers to ensure the quality, timeliness, and consistency of the program. Acting as the expert on examination processes, independently reconciling the most difficult inconsistencies, monitoring performance metrics, and implementing program-wide improvements to ensure effectiveness and economy Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. Reasonable Accommodation Information Open Continuous: You may update your application documents and some questions related to your personal information at any time during the announcement open period. Upon application, you may be provided a testing window to complete additional assessments. This testing window may stipulate a completion deadline before the announcement closes. It is your responsibility to complete the additional online assessments within the timeline provided to remain in consideration for this vacancy announcement. Failure to complete the online assessments within the testing window for this announcement will not preclude you from being considered for and completing the online assessments during a testing window on a future announcement. NOTE: This announcement has an open period until 11/11/2026, with applicant cut-off dates every 30 days. Applications received that meet the eligibility and qualification criteria may be referred for further consideration based on the following cut-off dates: Friday, September 11, 2026 Sunday, October 11, 2026 Wednesday, November 11, 2026

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement. Do NOT include the following types of information in your resume: Social Security Number (SSN) Date of Birth (DOB) Photos of yourself (if included on your resume you will not be considered for this position) Personal information: such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc. Key Requirements: Must be a U.S. Citizen. Must be registered or exempt from the Selective Service. See www.sss.gov A one-year probationary period may be required. To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully pass a background investigation. This position requires a public trust clearance. This is not a Bargaining Unit position. All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit. The Office of Personnel management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule, C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.