Watercraft Safety Program Manager (Merit Promotion)

About the role

The U.S. Geological Survey is seeking a Watercraft Safety Program Manager through a merit promotion announcement for current career and career conditional USGS employees and Career Transition eligibles. The role provides policy direction and technical leadership for watercraft operation, watercraft trailering, hazardous materials storage and transport aboard craft, emergency planning, PPE, training and first aid/CPR administration, supporting scientific over-the-water operations. The duty station is a USGS office location agreed with the selecting official, and travel, transportation and relocation expenses are not authorized.

Key responsibilities

• Develop, issue and maintain national standards, policies, guidance, training and procedures for all USGS watercraft activities, including specialized environments where existing guidelines do not apply.
• Design and host national workshops and author specialized standard operating procedures (e.g., contaminated-water operations, epidemic/pandemic decontamination) for bureau adoption.
• Advise bureau, region and center leadership and help establish new or experimental watercraft safety initiatives.
• Plan and execute the annual Watercraft Safety Program budget, oversee procurement and lifecycle management of safety-critical assets, and set performance goals and metrics.
• Inspect and review the program, investigate serious incidents and near-misses, issue root-cause determinations and corrective actions, and manage the Bureau Inspection and Abatement System records.
• Represent USGS on interagency boards and working groups (USCG, state boating authorities, cooperative partners) and negotiate agreements to fix systemic safety problems.
• Conduct motorboat operator certification and advanced modules, ensure training currency, and give technical assistance on complex operations such as fast water, low visibility, hazardous cargo and tow operations.

Required profile

• U.S. citizen or national; appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Valid driver's license, successful physical examination, and completion of the Motorboat Operator Certification Course (MOCC).
• At GS-13: at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-12, including expert-level watercraft safety program management, oversight of operations and personnel, and leading investigations and audits across a large organization.
• At GS-12: at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-11.
• Direct deposit participation and E-Verify eligibility; males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.