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Vessel Traffic Control Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Vessel Traffic Mgt Spec

New Orleans, LA · On-site +1

$74.68K - $97.09K/yr

Provides continuous direct vessel traffic management services as a Vessel Traffic Control Specialist in a Vessel Traffic Center * Ensures that vessel traffic is properly informed, advised, or ...

Tenders must be able to operate electrically operated bridge and traffic control devices, signaling ... Ensures that motor vehicle traffic and vessel traffic are properly controlled when opening and ...

Serving as Bridge Tender, operating electric controls in the bridge house to control motor vehicle ... Ensures that motor vehicle traffic and vessel traffic are properly controlled when opening and ...

Serving as Bridge Tender, operating electric controls in the bridge house to control motor vehicle ... Ensures that motor vehicle traffic and vessel traffic are properly controlled when opening and ...

Team Leadership & Operational Control * Lead and develop traffic coordinators, documentation staff, and support team members. * Assign work based on vessel schedules, volume, and compliance deadlines.

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Vessel Traffic Control information

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$25.5K

$92.5K

$182K

How much do vessel traffic control jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for vessel traffic control in the United States is $92,458.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $57,500.00 and $119,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Vessel Traffic Control job?

A Vessel Traffic Control job involves monitoring and managing the movement of ships in and around ports, harbors, and busy waterways to ensure safe and efficient navigation. Professionals in this role use radar, radio communication, and traffic management systems to coordinate vessel movements, prevent collisions, and respond to emergencies. They work closely with port authorities, coast guards, and shipping operators to enforce maritime regulations and maintain orderly traffic flow. This role requires strong communication skills, attention to detail, and knowledge of maritime operations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Vessel Traffic Control position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Vessel Traffic Control professional, you need strong situational awareness, knowledge of maritime navigation regulations, and typically a relevant maritime or nautical qualification. Familiarity with vessel tracking systems (such as AIS and radar), radio communication equipment, and sometimes certifications like VTS (Vessel Traffic Service) Operator certification are important. Attention to detail, problem-solving ability, and effective communication are key soft skills valued in this role. These skills are crucial for maintaining safe and efficient vessel movements, preventing accidents, and ensuring smooth port or waterway operations.

What are some common challenges faced by Vessel Traffic Control professionals?

Vessel Traffic Control professionals frequently deal with challenges such as managing multiple vessels in congested waterways, adapting to rapidly changing weather conditions, and responding quickly to emergencies or unexpected incidents. The work often requires maintaining high levels of concentration for long periods and effectively communicating with ship crews, harbor authorities, and other stakeholders. Working in this high-pressure environment demands decisiveness and the ability to remain calm under stress. Despite these challenges, many in the role find it rewarding to play such a vital part in ensuring maritime safety and efficient port operations.
What cities are hiring for Vessel Traffic Control jobs? Cities with the most Vessel Traffic Control job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Vessel Traffic Control jobs? The most popular types of Vessel Traffic Control jobs are:
What states have the most Vessel Traffic Control jobs? States with the most job openings for Vessel Traffic Control jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Vessel Traffic Control jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Vessel Traffic Control jobs are:
Infographic showing various Vessel Traffic Control job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, and 4% Temporary. Highlights an 16% Physical, 26% Hybrid, and 58% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $92,458 per year, or $44.5 per hour.
Vessel Traffic Control Specialist

Vessel Traffic Control Specialist

U.S. Coast Guard

San Francisco, CA • On-site, Remote

$93.36K - $121.37K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 3 days ago


Job description

Summary
This vacancy is for a GS - 2150 - 11, Vessel Traffic Control Specialist located in the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard, SECTOR SAN FRANCISCO WATERWAYS MANAGEMENT DIVISION in SAN FRANCISCO, California.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
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You will serve as a Vessel Traffic Control Specialist and be responsible for directing vessel traffic management services and responsible for promoting the safe and efficient movement of maritime traffic in assigned geographic area.
Being a Coast Guard civilian makes you a valuable member of the Coast Guard team. Typical work assignments include:
  • Monitoring, informing, advising and directing the movement of vessel traffic in the assigned sector.
  • Gathering, analyzing and disseminating nautical data and navigational safety information.
  • Coordinating advisory information between participating and non-participating vessels and small craft, many of which may be involved in activities such as regattas, fishing or other marine events.
  • Providing radar tracking or other sensor information in support of other Coast Guard missions, including search and rescue, law enforcement, and military missions.
  • Operating a variety of surveillance sensors, communications, and data processing equipment.
  • Participating in training exercises to prepare for maritime accidents or natural disasters.

Mandatory training is required which must be successfully completed and other training may occur as necessary for success in the position.
Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. Reasonable Accommodation Information
Requirements
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Conditions of employment
All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
Do NOT include the following types of information in your resume:
  • Social Security Number (SSN)
  • Date of Birth (DOB)
  • Photos of yourself (if included on your resume you will not be considered for this position)
  • Personal information: such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.

Key Requirements:
  • Must be a U.S. Citizen.
  • Must be registered or exempt from the Selective Service. See www.sss.gov
  • A one-year probationary period may be required.
  • To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully pass a background investigation. This position requires a Secret clearance.
  • This is not a Bargaining Unit position.
  • Selectee must be able to obtain/maintain a valid state driver's license.
  • All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit.
  • This position requires the selectee to pass a pre-employment drug test.

The Office of Personnel management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule, C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.
Qualifications
To qualify at the GS-11 grade level, your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level in the federal sector. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work. Examples of specialized experience include performing the following types of tasks on a regular basis.
  • Promoting the safe and efficient movement of maritime traffic.
  • Ensuring that vessel traffic is properly informed, advised, or directed in order to reduce the probability of collisions, rammings, groundings, and environmental damage.
  • Monitoring the progress of vessels, and informing, advising, or directing vessel operators.
  • Employing computers and communications technology to provide critical information and guidance to a master, pilot, or the persons in charge of vessels or commercial maritime experience engaging with a VTS.

OR
Have successfully completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related.
OR
A combination of specialized experience and graduate level education that meets 100% of the qualification requirements for this position.
NOTE: All experience statements (i.e., duties, specialized experience, or related applicable assessment) copied from this announcement and pasted into your resume will not be considered as a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.
NOTE: Education can be substituted for experience at this grade level.
National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Education
This position does not have a positive education requirement. If you are including education on your resume, report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. See Required Documents section for detail.
Are you qualifying based on education? Submit a copy of your college transcript (unofficial is acceptable) from an accredited institution. Once selected & prior to appointment, applicants must provide an official college transcript. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the U.S. (see FOREIGN EDUCATION below).
College Transcript: If this position requires specific educational course work to qualify, or you are qualifying based in whole or part on education, you are required to provide all unofficial transcripts (undergraduate, graduate, etc.) by the closing date of this announcement or you will be disqualified from further consideration. Transcripts should be legible and detailed, showing course number and department (i.e., bio 101, math 210, etc.), course title, number of credit hours, and grade earned. If course content cannot be easily identified from the title of the course as listed on your transcript, you must submit an official course description from the college/university that reflects the content at the time the course was taken.
FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States. To receive this credit, you must submit evidence of equivalency as provided by a credentialling evaluation service. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence with your application. See Recognition of Foreign Qualifications click here
Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.
Additional information
E-Verify
DHS uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.
Fair Chance Act
The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Homeland Security and its Components from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to sabrina.w.lee@uscg.mil.
Suitability Statement
If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment.
Shared Certificates Statement
Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.
Special Employment Consideration
The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR 213.3102(u), and or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps, VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.
Moving expenses will be paid in accordance with appropriate regulations.
If you are unable to apply online, please contact sabrina.w.lee@uscg.mil. Decisions on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. Visit Reasonable Accommodation
More than 1 selection may be made from this announcement if additional identical vacancies in the same title, series, grade, and unit occur within 45 days from the date the certificate was issued.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays.
Other benefits may include flexible work schedules; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities. For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select "Benefits." Disabled veteran leave will be available to any federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service- connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.