1

Volunteer Rope Access Rigger Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

RIGGER

Portsmouth, VA

$23.25 - $30/hr

You will fabricate, install, and repair standing and running rigging and wire cable or fiber rope ... Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable ...

RIGGER

Portsmouth, VA · On-site

$23.25 - $30/hr

You will fabricate, install, and repair standing and running rigging and wire cable or fiber rope ... Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable ...

Warehouse Driver

Chantilly, VA

$17.50 - $21/hr

Position blocks and/or tie rope around items to secure cargo during transit. * May load and unload ... This continuity and commitment to excellence offers you deep knowledge and access to only the best ...

Tree Climber

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$21.75 - $30/hr

Access a tree safely according to company protocols after having made all the necessary inspections ... Able to successfully follow directions and established procedures related to roping and rigging ...

Tree Climber

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$22 - $30.25/hr

Access a tree safely according to company protocols after having made all the necessary inspections ... Able to successfully follow directions and established procedures related to roping and rigging ...

Volunteer Rope Access Rigger information

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Volunteer Rope Access Rigger, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Volunteer Rope Access Rigger, you need a solid understanding of rope access techniques, rigging principles, and safety protocols, usually supported by relevant training such as IRATA or SPRAT certification. Familiarity with technical equipment like harnesses, descenders, ascenders, and fall arrest systems is essential. Strong teamwork, attention to detail, and calmness under pressure are crucial soft skills for this role. These skills and qualifications are vital to ensure safe, efficient, and effective operations in challenging environments.

What are some common challenges faced by Volunteer Rope Access Riggers when working on site?

Volunteer Rope Access Riggers often encounter challenges such as adapting to changing weather conditions, ensuring strict adherence to safety protocols, and coordinating efficiently with team members in high or confined spaces. Because the role typically involves working at heights and handling specialized equipment, maintaining clear communication and vigilance is crucial. Additionally, volunteers must frequently update their technical skills and certifications to stay compliant with industry standards, which can be demanding but also rewarding in terms of professional growth and teamwork.

What are Volunteer Rope Access Riggers?

Volunteer Rope Access Riggers are trained individuals who use specialized climbing and rigging techniques to safely access hard-to-reach areas, typically for purposes such as maintenance, construction, inspection, or rescue work. As volunteers, they often donate their time and skills to non-profit organizations, environmental projects, or community events. Their work commonly involves setting up and managing ropes, harnesses, and safety systems to ensure secure movement while working at height. Rope access riggers must follow strict safety procedures and usually require certifications from recognized bodies like IRATA or SPRAT. Volunteering in this role offers valuable experience, networking opportunities, and the chance to contribute to meaningful projects.

What is the difference between Volunteer Rope Access Rigger vs Professional Rope Access Rigger?

AspectVolunteer Rope Access RiggerProfessional Rope Access Rigger
CertificationsBasic safety and rigging certifications, often voluntaryAdvanced certifications like IRATA or SPRAT required
Work EnvironmentTypically non-paid, volunteer-based projects, often in rescue or community workPaid work in industrial, maintenance, or construction settings
Employer & IndustryNon-profit organizations, rescue teams, community projectsConstruction, oil & gas, industrial maintenance

The main difference between a Volunteer Rope Access Rigger and a Professional Rope Access Rigger lies in their certifications, work environment, and employment status. Volunteers usually participate in non-paid projects with basic certifications, while professionals work in paid industrial settings with advanced credentials. Both roles require a strong understanding of safety and rigging techniques, but their scope and responsibilities differ significantly.

What are the most commonly searched types of Rope Access Rigger jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Rope Access Rigger jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Volunteer Rope Access Rigger jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Volunteer Rope Access Rigger job openings:
RIGGER

$23.25 - $30/hr

Full-time

Posted 15 days ago


United States Navy rating

6.2

Company rating: 6.2 out of 10

Based on 368 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

39th of 46 rated military and defense


Job description

Summary
You will serve as a RIGGER in the DEPARTMENT OF NAVY to include work sites of Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Trident Refit Facility Bangor, and Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility.
Applicants will only be considered for positions within their own UIC. For example: if you are within UIC 4523A, you will only be considered for positions within 4523A.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
Help
  • You will direct the operation of cranes and similar equipment and direct laborers and helpers.
  • You will fabricate, install, and repair standing and running rigging and wire cable or fiber rope articles, such as slings, towing bridles, nets, rope ladders, and other ship and boat rigging and weight handling gear.
  • You will assist in ship docking operations by laying out and handling lines and tackle, snubbing lines on cleats or bollards, hauling on lines with capstans, and performing similar duties.
  • You will install beam clamps, gin poles, gallows frames, and other supporting structures; and use jacks, pulley blocks, chain falls, rollers, and similar equipment as necessary to move and position heavy items.
  • You will perform and direct the placement, removal, or re-positioning of machinery, structural members of ships or buildings, heavy equipment, or other loads.
  • You will estimate the size, weight, equipment capacity, and plans for clearance and safety factors.
  • You will guide and direct apprentices and helpers in proper and safe rigging practices.

Requirements
Help
Conditions of employment
  • Must be a US Citizen.
  • Must be determined suitable for federal employment.
  • Must participate in the direct deposit pay program.
  • New employees to the Department of the Navy will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit e-verify.gov
  • Within the Department of Defense (DoD), the appointment of retired military members within 180 days immediately following retirement date to a civilian position is subject to the provisions of 5 United States Code 3326.
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
  • This may be a bargaining unit position.
  • You may be required to successfully complete a pre-appointment physical examination.
  • You will be required to obtain and maintain an interim and/or final security clearance prior to entrance on duty. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.
  • A tentative offer of employment will be rescinded if you fail to report to the drug test appointment or fail the test. You may be subject to random drug testing.
  • You may be required to wear personal protective equipment such as helmets, gloves, coveralls, glasses, goggles, respirators and safety shoes continuously for the duration of the work shift.
  • Work may be performed in areas where potentially harmful physical and chemical agents are present (e.g. fumes, dust, heat, ionizing and non-ionizing radiation and chemicals). You may be required to participate in medical surveillance programs.
  • This position may require exposure to high noise levels.
  • This position may require travel from normal duty station to CONUS and OCONUS and may include remote or isolated sites. You must be able to travel on military and commercial aircraft for extended periods of time.
  • This position may be subject to work an uncommon tour, including nights, weekends, and holidays to meet mission requirements. Overtime or night differential pay and/or unusual duty hours may be required.

Qualifications
Although a specific length of time and experience is not required for most trade and labor occupations, you must show through experience and training that you possess the quality level of knowledge and skill necessary to perform the duties of the position at the level for which you are applying. Qualification requirements emphasis is on quality of experience, not necessarily the length of time.
Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the job elements and screen out listed below.
This job has a screen-out element which will be used to determine minimum eligibility for this job. Applicants who do not receive a minimum of two points on the screen-out element(s) will be found ineligible. The Screen-out Element for this position is: ABILITY TO DO THE WORK WITHOUT MORE THAN NORMAL SUPERVISION.
Applicants must meet the requirements of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Job Qualification Handbook for Trades and Labor Occupations. Additional qualification information can be found at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/federal-wage-system-qualifications/#url=List-of-Approved-Job-Elements
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (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.
Education
This job does not have an education qualification requirement.
Additional information
Salary is based on geographical location and is subject to change with the annual local wage surveys in accordance with the provisions of 5 CFR Part 532 for all employees whose official duty station is located within the geographic boundary of the wage area definition. For more information please visit: https://wageandsalary.dcpas.osd.mil/BWN/AFWageSchedules/
SALARY:
Puget Sound Naval Shipyard:
WA: https://wageandsalary.dcpas.osd.mil/Content/FWS%20Special%20Schedules/MS_A143_143_Seattle_Everett_Tacoma,Washington.pdf
CA: https://wageandsalary.dcpas.osd.mil/Content/FWS%20Special%20Schedules/AM_A017_017_San_Diego,California.pdf
Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility: https://wageandsalary.dcpas.osd.mil/Content/AF%20Schedules/survey-sch/044/044R-25Nov2025.pdf
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard:
ME: https://wageandsalary.dcpas.osd.mil/Content/AF%20Schedules/survey-sch/087/087R-02Jan2025.pdf
CA: https://wageandsalary.dcpas.osd.mil/Content/AF%20Schedules/survey-sch/017/017R-02Jan2025.pdf
Norfolk Naval Shipyard:
VA:https://wageandsalary.dcpas.osd.mil/Content/AF%20Schedules/survey-sch/140/140R-09Jul2024.pdf
PA: https://wageandsalary.dcpas.osd.mil/Content/AF%20Schedules/survey-sch/115/115R-02Jan2025.pdf
Trident Refit Facility, Bangor, WA: https://wageandsalary.dcpas.osd.mil/Content/FWS%20Special%20Schedules/MS_A143_143_Seattle_Everett_Tacoma,Washington.pdf
This position is covered by the Department of Defense Priority Placement Program.
Additional vacancies may be filled by this announcement.
A tentative offer of employment will be rescinded if the selectee fails to meet the pre-employment requirements, including failure to report to any of the scheduled appointments.
Temporary promotions may be extended up to 5 years at the discretion of management and in accordance with applicable regulations.
Temporary actions taken under this announcement may be made permanent without further competition.
Certain incentives (such as Recruitment, Relocation or Student Loan Repayment) may be authorized to eligible selectees.
A relocation incentive is generally a single payment intended to offset some of the relocation costs experienced by the selectee. A relocation incentive may be authorized.
Applicants rated ineligible on this vacancy announcement need to reapply and update their application package to be considered on future vacancies filled through this announcement.
Applicants selected and hired through this vacancy announcement need to reapply to be considered on future vacancies filled through this announcement.
Referral lists will be issued on an as-needed basis as vacancies occur.
All eligibility and qualifications must be met by the referral cut-off date.
PPP applicants will be placed at the FPL, if determined Well Qualified (WQ). To receive priority consideration, the FPL must be the same grade level or equivalent of the retained grade or the grade held immediately prior to separation.
Federal annuitant information: The selection of an annuitant is subject to the Department of Defense and Department of the Navy policy on the employment of annuitants. Policy information may be found at: http://www.secnav.navy.mil/donhr/Documents/CivilianJobs/FedCivAnnuitants.pdf
Expand Hide additional information
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
Help
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.
Review our benefits
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.

What United States Navy employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


US Navy logo

About US Navy

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

National security, national security and international affairs, public safety statistics centers and offices, guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing and public administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Washington, DC, US

Social media