AMHS - Third Mate

Job Description

ATTENTION! ALL APPLICANTS!

Set sail on a career where your office is on the Alaska coastline and every day brings new scenery and new people. As a 3rd Mate with the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS), you’ll play a critical role in the safe navigation and operation of our vessels as well as the security of passenger and vehicle ferries.

What you will be doing:

As a Third Mate with the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS), you will serve as a licensed deck officer aboard one of the nation's largest state-operated ferry systems. This is a safety-critical leadership position responsible for the safe navigation, operation, and security of passenger and vehicle ferries serving Alaska's coastal communities. Third Mates stand independent bridge watches, assist in vessel maneuvering during frequent dockings, supervise deck personnel, coordinate cargo and vehicle operations, enforce safety and security requirements, and respond to onboard emergencies. They also serve as the Vessel Security Officer or Assistant Security Officer when assigned; maintain required logs and records; conduct safety inspections; monitor environmental compliance; assist with investigations of onboard incidents; and help ensure the vessel maintains full operational readiness. Working closely with the Master and Chief Mate, Third Mates help ensure the safe transportation of passengers, vehicles, and freight while delivering reliable public service in one of the world's most challenging marine operating environments.

Organization, mission, and culture:

The Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) is a vital part of the State of Alaska’s transportation network, connecting coastal communities that are not accessible by road. As part of the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities, AMHS plays a critical role in keeping Alaska moving, supporting residents, businesses, and visitors through safe and reliable marine service.

Our mission is to provide essential transportation services that strengthen Alaska’s communities, promote economic opportunity, and ensure safe, efficient travel across the state’s coastal regions.

At AMHS, our culture is built on teamwork, service, and pride in what we do. Life at sea requires a strong commitment to safety, accountability, and supporting one another in a dynamic, 24/7 environment. We value employees who are adaptable, hardworking, and dedicated to serving the public. Whether working behind the scenes or directly with passengers, every crew member contributes to delivering a positive and professional experience onboard.

The benefits of joining the team:

AMHS offers a competitive starting salary that varies based on residency and operating region, along with a comprehensive benefits package available to most employees within 30 days of hire. As State of Alaska employees, eligible staff receive access to one of the state's most robust benefits programs, including medical and dental insurance with optional family coverage, retirement benefits, and vacation and personal leave that increase with years of service. AMHS deck officers are represented by the Masters, Mates & Pilots bargaining unit and have opportunities for career growth through upward mobility into higher-paying positions. Employees who successfully complete their probationary period and meet the minimum qualifications may apply for regularly assigned bid positions, with union seniority playing a significant role in work assignments and position awards. Together with industry-leading training, strong advancement opportunities, and an excellent retirement plan, AMHS provides a rewarding long-term career path in Alaska's maritime industry. Additional information about AMHS vessels and routes is available at

https://dot.alaska.gov/amhs/

, and details about the State of Alaska's employee benefits can be found at

https://doa.alaska.gov/dop/workplace/benefits/

.

The working environment you can expect:

AMHS vessel operations run 24/7, including days, nights, weekends, and holidays. Employees are typically assigned to a 2 week-on/ 2 week-off rotation, working an average of 84 hours per week while onboard. Daily schedules may range from 8 to 12 hours and can include split shifts. Vessel assignments are managed by dispatch, and daily duties are directed by vessel supervisors.

Crew change locations are as follows:

Southeast (SE): Ketchikan, Juneau

The Third Mate is responsible for standing navigational watches and safely operating AMHS vessels in accordance with U.S. Coast Guard regulations, International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS), company policies, and the Master's standing orders. Duties include monitoring vessel position, maintaining safe navigation through confined waterways, directing lookout activities, operating bridge equipment, maintaining navigational publications and charts, and assisting with voyage planning.

Third Mates supervise the unlicensed deck crew during assigned watches and oversee mooring operations, cargo and vehicle loading, passenger embarkation, and deck maintenance activities. They ensure safe working practices are followed and provide leadership, training, and guidance to subordinate crew members.

As members of the vessel's emergency organization, Third Mates lead emergency response teams during fire, flooding, man-overboard, medical, security, and abandon-ship situations. They conduct drills, inspect lifesaving and firefighting equipment, maintain emergency preparedness, and ensure compliance with federal safety regulations.

AMHS vessels make frequent port calls throughout Southeast and Southwest Alaska under varying weather and sea conditions. Successful Third Mates must exercise sound judgment, communicate effectively, adapt to changing operational demands, and maintain a high degree of professionalism while serving the traveling public.

Who We Are Looking For:

To be successful in this position, the selected candidate will possess the following core-competencies:

Leadership:

Influences, motivates, and challenges others; adapts leadership styles to a variety of situations.

Decision Making:

Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals; causes change.

Conflict Management:

Manages and resolves conflicts, grievances, confrontations, or disagreements in a constructive manner to minimize negative personal impact.

Security:

Knowledge of the laws, regulations, and guidelines related to securing personnel, facilities, and information, including the requirements for handling, transporting, and protecting classified information and proper reporting of security incidents.

Oral Communication:

Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.

To view the general description and example of duties for the position, please go to the following link:

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/Alaska/classspecs

Minimum Qualifications

Required Qualifications for Application

To be considered for this position, applicants must submit copies of the following valid credentials with their application:

Valid U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) issued Merchant Mariner’s Credential (MMC) endorsed with the following:

STCW Endorsements: (indicated by Roman Numerals)

Basic (Safety) Training (VI/1)

Officer in Charge of a Watch (II/1)

Vessel Personnel with Designated Security Duties (VI/6)

National Endorsements:

3rd Mate Oceans

Lifeboat Operator

Radar Unlimited

Valid Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC) - color copy

Current USCG Medical Certificate (STCW 2yr date)

Current DOT Drug Test (within the last 6 months)

Valid Driver’s License

Additional Req