Job Description
ALASKA RESIDENTS ONLY!***NOW OFFERING $5,000 HIRING BONUS*** POSITION SUMMARY Stewards are tasked with providing exceptional customer service and ensure the safety and comfort of our passengers while performing tasks in the galley, dining room, cafeteria, crew mess, staterooms and public areas aboard the Alaska State ferries. The Passenger Services department is the cornerstone of outstanding onboard customer service. This department is responsible for services that include; maintaining all vessel amenities, on-board storage and distribution of provisions and supplies, administering embarkation & disembarkation of passengers and vehicles, handling financial transactions and reporting, food and beverage service, medical assistance, stateroom sales and service, filing and reporting of regulatory paperwork, and providing information services for both crew and passengers.This is a safety sensitive position with the State of Alaska and serves as a public agent in direct contact of the traveling public.
POSITION DETAILS Definition: Under supervision of the Chief Steward or designee, performs a variety of housekeeping, cleaning and/or galley duties aboard the vessels of the Alaska Marine Highway System.
Examples of Duties: - Washes dishes, pots, and pans.
- Cleans and operates various galley equipment.
- Busses tables and waits on passengers in the cafeteria/dining room.
- Works with traveling public. Responds to and assists with customer needs.
- Cleans and makes up staterooms, restrooms, and public areas of the vessel.
- Loads stores/assists in stock handling. Stows trash. Loads and unloads laundry bags.
- Other duties as assigned by the Chief Steward or designee.
Please note: Working onboard the ships is a physically and mentally demanding career. The nature of the shipboard positions requires able-bodied personnel who can endure working long hours and being away from shore for extended periods of time. Employees must have the ability to perform required duties with or without reasonable accommodation.
ROUTES AND CHANGE PORTS AMHS operates in two distinctive routes. The Southeast (SE) route serves the communities between Bellingham, WA and Skagway, AK. The majority of AMHS vessels operate on this route. The other, more remote route is the Southwest (SW), which includes the communities between Cordova and the Aleutian Chain. The Change Ports (crew change locations) for each route is listed below;
Southeast (SE): Ketchikan, Juneau
Southwest (SW): Homer, Valdez
Please note: This position requires employees report to designated change ports in Alaska for their work assignments. Employees are responsible for their own travel expenses between their physical residence and their designated change port. Commuting between home in Lower 48 and change ports in Alaska is not a financially viable option for most crew.
SCHEDULE & ASSIGNMENTS AMHS vessels operate in a 24/7 work environment with variable crewing schedule. In general, periodic crew assignments are based on a 2 Weeks-On and 2 Weeks-Off rotation with some exceptions. New hires are dispatched as randomly assigned relief stewards until they are awarded with a regularly assigned (bid) position. On vessels operating in Southwest route, your assignment duration will depend on the lengths of the absence of the crew member you relieve. Once onboard, the daily schedule during each assignment may vary from 8 hours to 12 hours depending on the route/vessel. Vessel supervisor set work schedule upon signing on to the vessel that may include split shifts. Crew members may be asked to fill in a higher paying position after the crew change if a vacancy occurs (temporary upgrades). Crew lists are posted periodically by AMHS dispatch office which handles all crew scheduling related matters. Please note: Work assignments are scheduled by the Dispatch desk, based on the fluctuating operational needs and in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreements. Seniority plays a major role on how work is assigned.
WORKING ONBOARD This is a fast-paced and dynamic work environment with a diverse workforce. Room & board is provided while on assignment - on select vessels. Crew stays in shared quarters and meals are provided at the crew and/or officers mess. On some vessels the crew returns to home port each night before heading out the next day (Day Boats). Regardless of the various room and board situations, AMHS is a Drug and Alcohol-Free workplace and has a strictly enforced Drug & Alcohol Policy. Please note: All employees stationed onboard the vessels, regardless of their status, including new hires residing onboard through the housing assistance incentive, are subject to all DOT&PF and AMHS policies. There is no tolerance for Drug and Alcohol policy violations.
PAY SCALE AMHS offers a competitive pay based on operating route and residency. See table below for starting pay range for new Steward (probationary) hires:
Route Probationary Rate - Non Resident Probationary Rate - Resident Southwest (SW) $19.24 $23.33 Southeast (SE) $21.05 $25.54
Please note: Whether the new hire qualifies for the resident rate is determined by department Human Resources through the Cost of Living Differential (COLD) application. This is a post-hire application process that takes place after your official appointment. Passenger Services is not involved with this determination. Employees receiving housing assistance incentive do not qualify for the COLD benefits.
Overtime is paid at the rate of time and a half (x 1.5). Probationary period is approx. 1092 hours in Southeast and 1,456 hours in Southwest. Refer to Career Path section below for information about upgrading to higher paying positions.
HIRING INCENTIVES * Selected candidates may qualify for the following hiring incentives depending on the crewing needs.
- Hiring Bonus: $5,000 (less payroll deductions)
- Housing Assistance: up to 3 months accommodation onboard the hotel ship in Ketchikan
- Relocation Assistance: a one way - single use ferry ticket to an approved change port within Alaska (must originate and end in Alaska)
* Hiring incentives are subject to change at any time. Additional conditions apply. Details provided if a Job Offer is made.
BENEFITS New hires qualify for the State of Alaska benefits usually within 30 days of official hire. The State of Alaska offers one of the best benefit systems in Alaska and includes medical and dental insurance with optional family coverage, retirement benefits, vacation and personal leave which accrues with years of service. A summary of state benefits can be reviewed at R&B website.
CAREER PATH AMHS provides upward mobility and progressive advancement opportunity to higher paying positions. New hires who successfully complete their probationary period can apply for regularly assigned bid positions if they meet the MQ's (Minimum Qualifications). Union seniority plays a major role in how the work is assigned and how the bid positions are awarded. However, while building up seniority, it is not unusual for the new hires to work higher paying positions before being able to bid, through onboard upgrades, especially during the busy summer season. Current salary schedules for unlicensed vessel positions can be viewed on the following web links; Southeast Route Salary Schedule / Southwest Route Salary Schedule
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (if offered the position)
AMHS operations are governed by State, Federal and Maritime regulations. Employees are required to possess and maintain several maritime and service industry certifications to work aboard the AMHS vessels. Obtaining these certifications can take some time depending on the issuing agency (approx. 3 months). Some certifications require US Citizenship or Legal Residency and a background check. Cost associated with these documents are the candidate's responsibility. Below is the list of the certifications required for the entry level stewards before they can be dispatched to work:
- TWIC (Transportation Worker Identification Credential): This credential is issued by Transportation Security Administration (TSA), a division of the Department of Homeland Security. The ability to obtain this credential will require a criminal history/background check. The application process takes several weeks and must be started before applying for the MMC (Merchant Mariner Credential). More information is available at Transportation Security Administration.
- MMC (Merchant Mariner Credential): This credential is issued by the National Maritime Center, a division of United States Coast Guard (USCG). Please visit National Maritime Center website for obtaining the MMC. You must have your TWIC card or have a receipt of your TWIC application before you can start your MMC application process. Once obtained, your MMC Passbook must include the following at the minimum:
- Medical Certificate
- Food Handler Endorsement
- DOT/USCG 5 Panel Drug Screen
- Alaska Food Worker Card: This card is issued by Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Application is available online at Alaska Division of Environmental Health/Food Safety and Sanitation Program.
- Alcohol Server Training (TAP or TIPS): This certification is required for any crew member 21 and older. Information for obtaining this certification is available at Alaska Alcoholic Beverage Control Board.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS A strong customer service aptitude is essential for this position. Experience in hotel/restaurant/tourism industry is highly desired This is a public service role in the Government sector providing service in marine environment. As such, a strong commitment to safety, public service, and exceptional work ethics are required. The ideal candidate would be willing perform functions related to food service, galley, cashiering, housekeeping, etc. and exhibit the following characteristics;
- Strong commitment to safety
- Excellent communication skills
- A genuine desire to serve the public
- Ability to work within a diverse workforce
- Adaptive to learning new skills and knowledge
- Positive, personable, and professional demeanor
EMPLOYEE CONDUCT All vessel employees (prospective or official), as Merchant Mariners, are subject to a wide spectrum of State, Federal and International maritime safety policies. Additionally, as a State employee, you will be a "public agent" who is trusted by the State of Alaska to conduct their job with the highest level of ethics while serving the public. It is our policy that all employees conduct themselves in a manner that fosters a professional, respectful, and inclusive work environment. Public employees have a responsibility to maintain the public's trust. AMHS is a Drug & Alcohol Free workplace with a strictly enforced Drug & Alcohol Policy and the violators will be subject to immediate termination. Federal and State regulations prohibit employing an individual with drug and alcohol abuse as a crew member. Employment will denied or terminated if an individual fails the drug test(s) and your Merchant Mariner Credentials may be revoked by the US Coast Guard.
SERVICE STANDARDS As with any front line customer service position in direct contact with public, Steward position requires a certain grooming and uniform standards. Most of the work is performed in plain view of the traveling public. Employees must dress appropriately to reflect a professional image to the public while representing the Alaska Marine Highway System. Good grooming and the utmost personal hygiene must be maintained at all times while on duty. Hair must be trimmed and well groomed. Jewelry worn inside the mouth, in lips, nose or eyebrows is not permitted while on duty. Tattoos must not be excessively visible while in uniform. Facial tattoos are not permitted. Candidates with tattoos should carefully review if they would be appropriate for a front line service position before applying. AMHS reserves the right to withdraw a job offer if prospective hire has offensive and/or inappropriate tattoos that is incompatible with our service standards. AMHS provides some of the uniforms (shirts, fleece etc.)
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - High School diploma or equivalent
- Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age
- Must be eligible to obtain the required documents
- Must be willing to submit to a physical and drug test
- Ability to perform any required duties, with or without reasonable accommodation
APPLICATION PROCESS Applications for Steward position are accepted online, through this applicant tracking system only. Candidates must have an email address that is monitored on a daily basis and provide a reliable phone number that can receive text and voice messages. Our recruitment desk does not accept applications by mail or over the phone. It is strongly recommended that you have access to a computer or a smart phone during the entire recruitment process. Warning! This recruitment posting is for Alaska Residents only. State of Alaska does not assist foreign nationals in obtaining employment (visit this link for more information). AMHS will not pursue a candidate if deemed unfeasible.
BACKGROUND CHECKS Candidates interested in applying for this position should be aware that they will be subject to separate background checks by multiple agencies during the recruitment and documentation process. This is a safety sensitive position with the State of Alaska which in direct contact of the public. Successful candidates will serve as a public agent and required to perform duties in a safe, reliable and highly ethical manner. Applicants are required to provide true and complete information during the recruitment process. If you intentionally or unintentionally conceal or otherwise provide a false statement of material fact in your application, it will result in permanent loss of eligibility for employment with the State of Alaska. Employer may require additional information (i.e. judgment papers) before rendering a hiring decision.
DOCUMENTATION Each prospective hire will be asked to submit their required documents within 4 months of accepting the Job Offer. Legible copies of the required documents must be received and verified by our recruitment desk before a prospective hire can attend the new hire orientation.
NEW HIRE ORIENTATION (NHO) Successful candidates must attend the New Hire Orientation to complete the hiring process. Once the final hiring paperwork is done and the NHO is completed a new hire will be eligible for dispatch. Alaska Marine Highway
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