Welding Fire Watch Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

GENERAL SUMMARY: Delphinus Engineering, Inc. is seeking qualified Fire Watch / Tank Watch personnel to support fire watch and tank watch touch-labor requirements aboard U.S. Navy vessels under Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) Naval Supervisory Authority (NSA) Lead Maintenance Activity (LMA) cognizance. Work directly supports shipboard and in-shop non-nuclear welding/hot work operations and confined/enclosed space entry operations.

LOCATION: Norfolk, VA

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Ability to perform fire prevention / tank watch standing in direct support of various shipboard and in-shop non-nuclear welding/hot work operations.
• Ability to actively discharge a fire extinguisher and demonstrate use on both a flammable liquid and ordinary combustible type fire.
• Capable of climbing vertical ladders; able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Capable of working in confined and enclosed spaces.
• Able to read and understand precautionary-type signage or postings.
• May be assigned to work areas where potentially harmful physical and chemical agents are present (fumes, dust, noise, heat, chemicals, etc.)

Required Training (must be completed and documented; proof submitted per contract schedule):

• Fire Watch / Tank Watch training "Fire Protection in Shipyard Employment,"
• Confined and enclosed space safety
• Welding and allied processes / fire watch
• Respirators (negative pressure)
• Hazard Communication

Contractor-Furnished Equipment: Each Fire Watch / Tank Watch must have and maintain in working order the required contractor-furnished tools upon arrival, including a fully charged and properly sealed fire extinguisher, fire watch instruction card, and fire watch identification badge or red armband issued by the fire/tank watch coordinator.

Duties and Responsibilities

Fire Watch

• Maintain constant surveillance over the assigned hot work area and ensure no fire starts or damage occurs from the hot work operator's work.
• Before hot work begins, inspect the work site with the NNSY hot work operator and/or NNSY supervisor and determine where and how to activate a fire alarm.
• Station yourself as directed by the NNSY hot work operator/supervisor; keep a charged fire extinguisher, instruction card, and proper ID on your person.
• Immediately notify the hot work operator if a fire starts and begin firefighting operations; if the fire cannot be extinguished, shout for help and activate a fire alarm.
• Remain at the hot work site for a minimum of 30 minutes after all hot work is complete, or until the site is cooled to ambient temperature, whichever is longer.
• Notify the hot work operator before leaving the station; return all fire watch material and tooling when duties are complete.
• Support blind-side bulkhead inspections with the hot work operator and understand how to enter a confined/enclosed space safely and respond in an emergency.

Tank Watch

• Stand outside one or more confined and poorly ventilated enclosed spaces and monitor authorized entrants; remain outside the space during entry unless relieved by another authorized tank watch.
• Verify the NNSY confined space certificate (date posted, expiration, safe for hot work, safe for entry / not safe for entry) is current and enforce any restrictions before allowing entry. Entry is not authorized without a posted confined space certificate.
• Maintain communication with entrants and keep an accurate log using the confined/enclosed space watch log sheet. Cell phones may not be used as a means of communication.
• Never leave the tank unattended with personnel inside; coordinate relief through the NNSY supervisor via the contractor supervisor when necessary.
• Prevent unauthorized entry into confined/enclosed spaces and turn in log sheets to the NNSY supervisor at end of shift.

General / Standby Duties

• Perform general housekeeping ("GHK") as needed per shift, including removal of industrial debris (sheet metal, steel plate, structural shapes, piping, cable ends, hardware, spent welding wire, trash) from the assigned project — overhead to deck, pier, and dry-dock.
• Perform "spotter" duties as assigned, coordinating pedestrian and vehicular traffic (typically at the head or foot of the ship's ramp) to maintain safety.
• Follow hot work operator directions and comply with the hot work permit system.

Wage Range: $18.53 - $20.53 per hour

*In determining compensation, various factors will be considered, including but not limited to, educational background; relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, market factors; and geographic location.