Marine Mechanic I

Kitsap Transit

$116K — $156K *
Transportation
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • High school diploma/GED required; marine maintenance experience preferred.
  • Minimum three years of experience in marine engine service and repair.
  • Shipboard experience in marine engineering is desirable.
  • Valid Driver's License required; US Coast Guard Engineer's License preferred.
  • Previous lead experience in marine maintenance is a plus.

Responsibilities

  • Perform routine maintenance on various high-speed marine engines and systems.
  • Diagnose and repair mechanical issues in diesel-powered vessels.
  • Conduct inspections and maintain machinery in compliance with regulations.
  • Sail on vessels to assess maintenance needs and conduct trials post-repairs.
  • Oversee day-to-day marine maintenance operations and staff assignments.

Benefits

  • Subsidized medical insurance and fully paid dental insurance for employee and dependents.
  • Disability insurance and life insurance coverage included.
  • Participation in WA State Public Employees' Retirement Plan (PERS).
  • Generous leave accrual, including 10 holidays and 2 floating holidays.
Full Job Description
Salary: $55.91 - $75.20 Hourly
Location : Bremerton
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number:
Department: Fast Ferry
Division: Ferry General Maintenance
Opening Date: 07/06/2026
Closing Date: 7/20/2026 4:00 PM Pacific

Purpose of the Job
Under general supervision, perform journey-level diagnostic repair and maintenance work on a diverse fleet of passenger ferries, including a wide spectrum of marine engines, equipment, facilities, and supporting systems.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities
Directly supports the Marine Services Department's goal to provide safe, secure, reliable, regulatory-compliant, environmentally sound, and customer-friendly passenger-only ferry services. In this regard, this position's duties and responsibilities include the following:
Perform routine preventative maintenance and repair on a wide array of passenger-only ferry high-speed marine diesel engines and generators, hybrid diesel-electric propulsion, waterjet and propeller propulsion, and related marine systems.
Install, maintain, evaluate, and repair marine electronics, primary and auxiliary vessel systems. Ensure that machinery and machinery spaces are maintained in a safe, orderly manner in compliance with applicable requirements and in accordance with sound marine practice.
Inspect, diagnose, and repair mechanical defects in diesel-powered vessels, including engines, steering and propulsion, fuel, lubricating, electrical, water cooling, hydraulic, sewage, water, electronic, heating/air conditioning, and related marine systems.
Diagnose, dismantle, and troubleshoot as necessary to determine the need for overhauls or repairs on vessel engines, motors, pumps, generators, and related equipment, and perform identified equipment repairs and overhauls.
Maintain appropriate records of work performed, parts used, and time worked in support of a robust maintenance program that is used to sustain system reliability.
As necessary, sail on vessels to assist in diagnosing and determining maintenance or repair needs; coordinate and conduct at-sea trial runs after completing major repairs to check for proper operation of completed work and adjust the repaired equipment during and after sea trials.
Prioritize maintenance needs, coordinate with operating schedules as needed and assign work to maintenance staff. Review completed work to ensure maintenance and repair work is accurate and complete.
Directly support prompt, timely, and targeted response to vessel mechanical issues, initiating thorough troubleshooting, assigning resources to resolve problems and/or take corrective actions, and support research and delivery of appropriate parts and/or support services.
Provide shipyard project oversight in conjunctionwith the Marine Maintenance Manager. Assist the Marine Maintenance Manager with developing the work scope for shipyard work projects. Act as the shipyard owner's representative before, during and after shipyard availability, ensuring that appropriate work is scheduled and completed using sound marine practices, and appropriate follow up is completed to ensure warranties and payments are accomplished appropriately.
Oversee the day-to-day operations in marine maintenance to include prioritizing, assigning, and reviewing work completed by marine maintenance staff. Report personnel and mechanical problems to, and coordinate remedial actions with, the Marine Maintenance Manager. Provide instruction and mentoring to maintenance staff, as needed to ensure procedural compliance with applicable regulatory and organizational standards.
Provide engineering instruction, technical assistance, and mentoring as needed to marine maintenance staff, consistent with operating in a safe, reliable, and efficient manner, with vessels that are seaworthy in all aspects.
Report maintenance issues or concerns, personnel issues or challenges to the Marine Maintenance Manager.
Follow applicable security plan protocols; consistently use proper safety equipment and applicable personal protective equipment or gear and enforce the same for all maintenance staff.
Perform a wide spectrum of administrative functions and other duties as assigned in support of Kitsap Transit's Marine Services Department and ferry program.

Minimum Qualifications and Knowledge Skills and Other Characteristics
High school diploma/GED and three years of increasingly responsible marine maintenance experience in the service and repair of marine engines and related marine equipment. Shipboard experience in marine engineering is desirable. Previous lead experience is a plus.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
The following characteristics are needed to be successful in this position:
Knowledge of:

  • Techniques and methods of maintaining and repairing diesel and electrical-powered and ancillary marine equipment.
  • Methods, materials, tools, equipment, and standard practices and protocols used in the full spectrum of marine maintenance and repair functions.
  • Marine, environmental and operating hazards and the full suite of applicable state and federal regulations governing the maintenance and operation of a passenger ferry service, in particular U.S. Coast Guard-promulgated marine regulations governing ferry operations.
  • The use and application of pertinent safety equipment and appropriate safe working practices.

Skills in:

  • Assigning and monitoring work and instructing others on the maintenance and repair of marine systems and equipment.
  • Diagnosing malfunctions and determining appropriate repairs.
  • Providing instruction, technical assistance, and training to other marine employees.
  • Using logical, persuasive, and effective communications.
  • Keeping accurate and detailed records,
  • Working across the organizational hierarchy, as well as with other agencies and regulators.
  • Motivating diverse and geographically dispersed individuals in a team environment.
  • Handling multiple competing priorities in a timely, effective manner.
  • Communicating effectively orally and in writing.
  • Using computers and software in a Windows-based operating environment.
  • Working cooperatively with others and discerning when technical and personnel issues need to be elevated within the Marine Services Department.
  • Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other Kitsap Transit employees, vendors and the public.


Licenses/Certifications, Benefits, ADA and Other Requirements
Benefits: Full-time employees receive a generous benefits package including subsidized medical insurance and fully paid dental insurance for employee and dependents, as well as disability insurance and life insurance.
Hours of Work: Work will be performed on vessels after service hours during the week and on weekends. These hours may vary depending on the business needs of the agency. As the business needs of the agency change, applicants must also be available to work any hours of operation including weekends and all holidays. The schedule for this position may vary from week to week and may include weekend and holiday work on a permanent basis.
Kitsap Transit employees who wish to apply must have a satisfactory performance and attendance record. Kitsap Transit Operators with any of the following criteria in the last twelve months are excluded from recruitment opportunities:
  • a current Decision-Making Leave or higher in the Safety category
  • more than two held customer complaints
  • more than four unscheduled absences
  • more than two late reports

Licenses and Certifications:

Must possess the following valid/current credentials/licenses/certifications:

  • Transportation Workers Identification Credential (TWIC) issued by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) within thirty days of hire
  • Valid Driver's License
  • Possession of a US Coast Guard issued Engineer's License is desired.

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:

Positions in this class typically require dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard and other equipment, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions. Work may be performed in the hours of darkness, on weekends, outside regular office hours, outdoors, at sea, and in stressful and/or emergency situations. This position will require lifting heavy objects up to 70 pounds, and requires vision, dexterity, strength, mobility, crouching for extended periods, lengthy mechanical work in very small spaces, climbing ladders, entering through narrow hatches & passageways, and being exposed to operating engines, equipment, smells, and loud sounds. This position may require overtime and may be called upon outside normal business hours for consultation and hands-on support.
Selection Process: After evaluating the completed application packets, we will invite the most qualified applicants to interview for the position.
To Apply: If you decide to apply for this position, please visit our employment link at
Please contact Janel Silver in the Human Resources Department at (360) 473-1138 if you have any questions.

Closing Date: Your completed application must be submitted online by 4:00 PM,April 24, 2026. You may include a resume; however, it may not be used in lieu of a completed application.

Generous benefits package including: Medical, Dental and Vision for employee and dependents, disability and life insurance. Kitsap Transit also participates in the WA State Public Employees' Retirement Plan (PERS) and a generous general leave accrual and 10 holidays plus 2 floating holidays.

Visit our Benefits page at
01

Do you have a High School diploma or GED?
  • Yes
  • No

02

Please enter the educational institute where you received your high school diploma or GED.
03

Do you have three years' experience in the servicing and repair of marine engines and related marine equipment on small ferries?
  • Yes
  • No

04

If you indicated having professional experience in the previous question, please describe where and how you gained this experience, including names of employers, dates of employment, and duties performed. If you do not have this experience, please indicate "N/A."
05

Persons in this position must meet the vision, dexterity, strength, mobility, voice and hearing standards as set forth in USCG licensing standards (https://www.dco.uscg.mil/nmc/medical_certificate/). Work may be performed in the hours of darkness, outdoors, at sea, and in stressful situations. This position will require lifting heavy objects up to 70 pounds, crouching for extended periods, lengthy mechanical work in very small spaces, climbing ladders and entering through narrow hatches & passageways.Are you willing and physically able to meet these working conditions?
  • Yes
  • No

06

Work will be performed on vessels after service hours during the week and on weekends. These hours may vary depending on the business needs of the agency. As the business needs of the agency change, you must also be available to work any hours of operation including weekends and all holidays. The schedule for this position may vary from week to week and may include weekend and holiday work on a permanent basis.Are you willing and physically able to meet these working conditions?
  • Yes
  • No

07

Do you have a current United States Coast Guard Engineer license?
  • Yes
  • No

08

1) Describe the most technically challenging experience you have had in your career as a Marine Mechanic. How did you address the challenge?
09

2) Describe the breadth and depth of your experience complying with USCG requirements regarding vessel repairs and inspections.
10

3) Describe your experience with developing the work scope for shipyard work projects. What was your most challenging experience and how did you address it?
11

4) Describe any experience you may have with scheduling and monitoring daily, weekly and monthly work activities for a staff of two or more employees and how you determined workload priorities for your staff.
12

5) Describe any experience you have with providing engineering instruction, technical assistance and mentoring of staff/coworkers.
13

6) How many years of shipboard experience in marine engineering do you have? Where did you gain this experience?
14

7) How many years of Lead experience do you have? Where did you gain this experience?
15

We are required to utilize a service to monitor employee driving record activity. Do you agree to have your driving record monitored during your employment with Kitsap Transit?
  • Yes, I agree
  • No, I do not agree

16

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