MANAGER - MARINE VESSEL MAINTENANCE TRADES
Location: Cape May-Lewes Ferry, Cape May, NJ
Salary: $86,900 to $106,500 (Grade 109) - (Commensurate with Skills)
Benefits: https://www.flipsnack.com/5de6a5a7c6f/drba-2026-benefit-guide_ft-employees
Opening Date: June 4, 2026 _________Closing Date: July 4, 2026
I. POSITION SUMMARY
This position reports to and assists the Assistant Port Engineer in overseeing and providing leadership for the marine vessel maintenance trades in the Vessel Maintenance Department. The individual in this position is highly skilled and capable of assisting in performing hands-on repairs to all machinery or mechanical equipment on board all Authority vessels. Determines the priorities for the department and develops a clear action plan to deliver on those priorities. Manages several key essential trades to include welders, vessel mechanics, electrician/electronics technicians, and HVAC personnel who perform complex troubleshooting and corrective measures to ensure that overall standards of quality and timeliness are maintained often within a tight timeframe to keep the vessels in safe operation for the transporting of customers. This position has considerable discretion to determine and direct preventive and corrective maintenance work with both subordinate employees and external subcontractors. Responsible for project planning, personnel assignments, and budgetary control and monitoring. May be called on to contribute on key Authority-wide teams to help determine the future needs and direction of the organization.
II. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
· Sets overall priorities and performance standards for assigned areas and assigned vessel maintenance trades personnel.
· Supervises the day-to-day maintenance and repair of the vessels and participates and directs engine overhauls.
· Assigns personnel with proper skills to various repairs or tasks, delivering the highest quality maintenance while also providing value and good stewardship of Authority resources. Manages personnel across multiple trades to include diesel and electromechanical engine mechanics, electrician and electronics technicians, welders, and marine HVAC.
· Able to troubleshoot and propose courses of action to be performed for emergency repair of a variety of shipboard systems including diesel engines, generators, hydraulics, electrical, pneumatic, and plumbing.
· Manages resources across all assigned areas and oversees the supervision of personnel in assigned area, which includes work allocation, training, and problem resolution; evaluates performance and makes recommendations for personnel actions; motivates employees to achieve peak productivity and performance.
· Seeks to balance quality and cost in all purchases required by the department; follow all Authority guidelines for purchase approvals, as well as scope development and solicitation of bids, and manages vender relationships according to Authority guidelines, often involving acquisition of industry limited supplies for aging equipment
· Oversees and executes annual and monthly preventative maintenance plans; directs seasonal servicing of equipment, systems, and infrastructure. Develops and implements systems to maintain records on equipment, inventories, and preventative maintenance activities. Responsible for coordinating maintenance with other departments, and overseeing work on vessels for quality, efficiency, and safety.
· Interfaces with regulatory and government agencies, venders, contractors, and customers on matters related to maintenance.
· Oversees training and ensures compliance with established policies, procedures, and regulations.
· May attend inter-departmental staff meetings.
· Participates in development, implementation and maintenance of policies, objectives, short- and long-range planning; develops and implements projects and programs to assist in accomplishment of established goals.
· Participates in environmental and safety planning and compliance within policies and regulations to include the execution of mandated inspection processes.
· Provides the highest level of customer service and professionalism to all internal and external customers.
III. REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
· Knowledge of management principles and maintenance practices, procedures, and operations; proven success in managing a diverse workforce.
· Knowledge of relevant local, state, and federal regulations; and Authority protocols and procedures that impact maintenance in general and work unit in particular.
· Ability to set clear expectations and performance standards for employees; ability to hold individuals accountable for poor performance.
· Ability to read, understand, follow, and enforce safety procedures.
· Effective oral and written communication skills.
· Demonstrated proficiency with machine shop tools including metal lathes, drill presses, brakes etc.
· Ability to provide superior customer service by responding in a courteous and efficient manner.
IV. REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
o Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university or equivalent job
experience.
o Two (2) or more years of experience in vessel maintenance operations.
o Two (2) or more years of experience in supervisory roles with direct supervision of
maintenance workforces.
o Supervisory experience of unionized workforces.
o Three (3) or more years of experience in the repair and maintenance of commercial vessel propulsion components including line shaft bearings, air compressors, hydraulic systems and other ancillary systems.
o Five (5) or more years of experience in the repair and maintenance of diesel engines, with marine propulsion air and/or electronic control systems experience.
V. LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS, AND/OR CERTIFICATES
· Valid driver’s license
· Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) upon hire
· Merchant Marine Credential of a Wiper required upon hire, with some underway work in support of a chief engineer required; Chief Limited with unlimited HP license highly preferred but not required.
· Certifications in diesel engine repair and maintenance preferred
VI. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
· Subject to a background investigation and pre-employment physical including drug test.
· Delaware River and Bay Authority requires all employees to have direct deposit with a financial institution to receive their bi-weekly pay.
· Must be willing and available for duty at such hours, day, or night, as may be required to maintain continuous operations.
· Must be willing and available to support project management assignments associated with off-site work during dry-docking and other repair evolutions.
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If you are interested in applying for this position please copy and paste the following link into your web browser (Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge preferred). Then, scroll down to the "Sign Up" button to create a username/password and you will be taken directly to the online employment application for this position:
https://selfservice.drba.net/esslive/EmploymentOpportunities/ApplicationEntry.aspx?form=2&req=702&sreq=17&desc=MANAGER%20-%20MARINE%20VESSEL%20MAINTENANCE%20TRADES
In addition, you must also attach a resume to the completed application.
The Delaware River and Bay Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $86,900.00 - $106,500.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Relocation assistance
- Retirement plan
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Experience:
- commercial vessel propulsion maintenance: 3 years (Preferred)
- unionized workforce supervisory: 1 year (Preferred)
- Diesel engine repair: 5 years (Preferred)
- Maintenance Supervisory: 2 years (Required)
- Vessel Maintenance: 2 years (Required)
License/Certification:
- Driver's License (Required)
Work Location: In person
