The Port Aransas Ferry Operation runs a fleet of 8 ferries! Three, 20-car ferries and five, 28-car ferries. The operation crosses the Corpus Christi Ship Channel between Aransas Pass Harbor Island to Port Aransas, on Mustang Island. The quarter-mile route typically takes less than ten minutes, although peak summer hours may require drivers to wait longer. The operation is open 24-7, 365 days a year and considered a part of SH-361. The Port Aransas Ferry Operation is an evacuation route for the City of Port Aransas during a hurricane event.

Salary Grade/Range

Ferryboat Deckhand IA13 - $35,439.00-$52,388.00
Ferryboat Deckhand IIA15 - $38,976.00-$58,045.00
Ferryboat Deckhand III A17 - $42,976.00-$64,469.00

The Texas Department of Transportation reserves the sole right in determining the level position based on the applicant's work experience, education, skill level, and all other appropriate factors and based on business needs.

At TxDOT, we value work-life balance and are committed to providing our employees with a comprehensive range of benefits and programs, including:

• Retirement Plans
• Alternative and/or Flexible Work Schedules
• Paid Leave and Holidays
• Health Premiums paid at 100% for Full-Time Employees
• On-the-Job Training
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Holistic Wellness Program with Leave Incentives
• Career Development and Advancement Opportunities
• Family-Friendly Policies and Programs

In 2024, TxDOT was recognized as a Best Place for Working Parents, and many of our offices statewide are also designated as Texas Mother-Friendly Worksites. These recognitions reflect our dedication to supporting families and promoting a healthy work-life balance.

For a complete list of our total compensation package please visit our website at: Total Compensation Package
To view benefits available to all State of Texas employees visit: Benefits at a Glance (ERS.texas.gov)

Performs as deckhand of motor ferry vessels transporting crew members, public vehicles and passengers. Work requires constant contact with private entities. Employees at this level follow standard practices that do not require frequent supervision of details.

Essential Duties:

Ferryboat Deckhand I:

• Perform duties as ferryboat oiler.
• Assists in the daily inspection of the operating condition of an emergency firefighting, lifesaving and childbirth equipment on the vessel.
• Assists in the repair or renovation of motor ferry vessels as directed.
• Attends to passenger needs and performs cleanup and maintenance duties.
• Ensures strict compliance with the Federal Waters Pollution Control Act and the Federal Communications Commission Communications Act of 1934.
• Participates in periodic all hands drills and emergency exercises.
• Performs deck evolutions, operates safety gates and vehicle loading ramps, directs, spaces, parks and blocks vehicles and maintains security about the decks.
• Pumps out bilges as needed.
• Reads all gauges and fluid levels in engine room and reports any problems to the captain.
• Reports all observations, actions and/or matters affecting the stability, operational capacity, safety and welfare of the vessel, crew, passengers, vehicles and other public properties to the captain or first deckhand.
• Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.

Ferryboat Deckhand II:

In addition to the above duties, duties for a Ferryboat Deckhand II include the following:

• Conducts the daily inspection of the operating condition of all emergency firefighting, lifesaving and childbirth equipment on the vessel
• Perform duties of first deckhand.
• Stands lookout watch and assist ferryboat captain in maneuvering vessels in high-density traffic areas under all weather and sea conditions in accordance with the Inland Navigation Rules of the Road and the rules of good seamanship
• Performs duties as ferryboat oiler
• Assists in the repair or renovation of motor ferry vessels as directed.
• Serves as secondary enforcement authority for state regulations governing operation of the ferries
• Performs other job responsibilities as assign

Ferryboat Deckhand III:

In addition to the above duties, duties for a Ferryboat Deckhand III include the following:

• May serve as a lead worker and the related tasks.
• Serves as loading supervisor when working as first deckhand.
• Performs duties as first deckhand, and as required as a ferryboat oiler.
• Performs other job responsibilities as assign.

Minimum Qualifications:

Ferryboat Deckhand I: No education or experience required.

Ferryboat Deckhand II: 12 Months in Ferry deckhand- related work. (Experience can be satisfied by fulltime or prorated part-time equivalent)

Ferryboat Deckhand III: 36 Months in Ferry deckhand related work. (Experience can be satisfied by fulltime or prorated part-time equivalent)

Licenses and Certifications:

• Must have required US Coast Guard (USCG) certifications an/or documents appropriate for the position and vessel being operated.
• Vessel Crew Member Certificate.
• Mandatory: Safety Impact Certificate.

Competencies:

• Methods and procedures used in the maintenance and repair of marine equipment, machinery, facilities and ferryboats.
• Emergency response procedures.
• Applicable industry safety standards, guidelines and specification codes.

• Applicable laws, rules, and regulations.

  Some skill in:

• Public relations for maintaining effective working relationships with individuals and groups, both internal and external.
• The use of tools and equipment used in vessel, ramp and facility maintenance.
• Firefighting.

• Maintaining a safe and effective working relationship with others.

  Ability to:

• Work in varying conditions to include heavy traffic, overhead power lines and underground utilities.
• Work in cramped spaces (bend, stoop, crawl) and at varied heights.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Required to wear protective gear-respirator, hard hat, or other device.
• Works in narrow aisles or passageways.
• Medium work: Lift up to 50 lbs. at a time and frequently lift or carry objects up to 25 lbs.
• Climbing and/or ascending/descending ladders, stairs, scaffoldings, ramps, etc.
• Balancing-walking, standing, crouching on various surfaces without falling.
• Standing-prolonged periods of time.

Conditions of Employment:
Please click this link to read the standard conditions of employment for all positions: Standard Conditions of Employment (TxDOT)

• This job has been identified as physically demanding and will require a pre-employment physical.
• Must pass a drug test prior to employment for safety impact positions. This is a Safety Impact position and will be subject to random drug testing.
  • Please note that the Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulation – 49 CFR Part 40, at 40.151(e) – does not authorize “medical marijuana” under a state law to be a valid medical explanation for a positive drug test result for an employee in this position.

TxDOT is committed to hiring veterans. To assist in determining whether your military experience may pertain to the minimum requirements for this position, Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes from each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces have been assigned to each state classification code/title where applicable. The MOS codes are grouped by occupational category.

To view the MOS codes please click on link below and click on the appropriate occupational category.

https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions

The Texas Department of Transportation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

If requested, reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities for any part of the employment process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Action of 1990.

Please click this link to read the information for applicants: Additional Applicant Information