Marine oilers with the Staten Island Ferry start at $53,526 for 32 hr. week

The city Department of Transportation is accepting applications for marine oilers to work on Staten Island Ferry operations. The annual pay range is $53,526 to $61,555 for 32-hour workweeks.

The Job 

Under direct supervision, marine oilers assist the marine engineer in the operation, maintenance and repair of motor ferry operation, auxiliary and related equipment at the Staten Island Ferry.

They maintain appropriate levels of oil, lubricant in all main engines, ship service diesel generators, main propulsion equipment, shaft bearings, reduction gears and pumps as needed to properly safeguard vessel equipment. 

They also maintain and clean lube oil stores, operate and clean oil filtration and centrifuge equipment, grease and lubricate bearings, pumps and couplings and adjust steam burning boiler drafts and maintain proper combustion, pressure and water levels in boilers. 

Marine oilers also read gauges and other indicators such as fuel oil pressure and temperature, steam pressure on heating boilers, fill out orders and logs, assist in the operation, maintenance and repair of motor ferry operation, auxiliary and related equipment, and make manual repairs on boilers and boiler auxiliaries under supervision of the marine engineer. 

They clean, scrape and/or paint compartments, bulkheads, auxiliary machinery, boiler room plates and bilges, and boilers as needed, wipe, clean and polish equipment. 

In ferry terminals, they operate heating boilers; clean and adjust burners; maintain boiler feed pumps; secure and clean strainers; and maintain proper temperature and pressure in the fuel oil system. 

They inspect below-deck emergency and rescue equipment, and perform required duties at fire drills in accordance with United State Coast Guard and department regulations. They take required actions in the event of an actual fire, rescue or other emergency. 

Marine oilers pump sludge tanks to drums on deck and supervise their removal, make periodic inspections of all auxiliary machinery in engineering spaces, examine hulls for water leakage and bulkheads for water seepage and look for structural damage in all below deck compartments. They report routine findings to supervisors after making inspections, report any unusual situations to supervisor for immediate corrective action with a complete description of the problem. They also use bilge pumps to remove normal daily accumulated seepage from compartments, examine shaft bearings, stern glands and bilges, assist marine engineer tightening and renewing stern tube packing in shafts and perform maintenance on items not in use. 

They disconnect shore power cables, fill and maintain level in potable water tanks, flush line shaft bearings, transfer oil from fuel barge to vessels and perform assigned fueling duties under the direction of the marine engineer.

Qualifying requirements

Successful applicants must have either 1) Two years of full-time, satisfactory experience as a designated duty engineer (DDE) or qualified member of the engine department (QMED) serving as a junior engineer, oiler or fireman/watertender, or a combination thereof; and possession of a valid Merchant Mariner’s Credential issued by the U.S. Coast Guard with endorsement as a DDE of motor vessels of any horsepower or QMED with the following ratings: any rating, junior engineer, oiler or fireman/watertender; or

2) 18 months of full-time satisfactory marine experience in a position or a combination of positions described in "1" above and possession of a valid Merchant Mariner’s Credential issued with endorsement as a DDE of motor vessels of any horsepower or QMED with the following ratings: any rating, junior engineer, oiler or fireman/watertender; plus sufficient training of a relevant nature acquired in an approved trade or vocational high school to make up the equivalent of the remaining six months of required experience. Six months of acceptable experience will be credited for each year of approved trade or vocational high school; or

3) A baccalaureate degree in marine engineering, marine technology or related field from an accredited college and possession of a valid engineer license or Merchant Mariner’s Credential with endorsement for third assistant engineer or higher of motor vessels issued by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Other information

Medical guidelines established by the U.S. Coast Guard apply to the position of Marine Oiler. Candidates will therefore be required to undergo a medical examination prior to appointment and thereafter, pursuant to Coast Guard regulations. Candidates must also pass a drug screening to be appointed. Marine Oilers are subject to random drug and alcohol testing during their employment.

Merchant Mariner Credentials with endorsement and medical certificate must be maintained for the duration of employment.

At the time of appointment, candidates must possess a valid Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) issued by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration. A valid TWIC must be maintained for the duration of employment.

There are no residency requirements for this position.

For complete information and to apply, go to www1.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/about/employ.shtml and look for “marine oiler” business title under the “Ferry Division” section.