Assistant Port Engineer - Cape Lewes Ferry

ASSISTANT PORT ENGINEER

Location:

Cape May-Lewes Ferry, Cape May, NJ

Starting salary up to $128,100 for a well-qualified
candidate

Opening Date:
February 17, 2026 Closing Date:
Until Filled

I. POSITION SUMMARY
This position is an independent leader of the Marine Engineers and Maintenance staff for the Cape May
- Lewes Ferry (CMLF). This position is responsible for assisting the Port Engineer in determining the
priorities for the department and setting a clear action plan to deliver on those priorities to ensure the
CMLF fleet is operated, repaired, and maintained in accordance with regulatory requirements, best
practice, company standards, and customer expectations. This position manages several key positions,
including highly skilled technicians to ensure that quality and timely maintenance and repair activities are
completed, and that performance is measured and feedback is provided. This position utilizes resources
in order to deliver on key operational priorities. This position is responsible for project planning and
management. In the absence of the Port Engineer, the Assistant Port Engineer acts on his/her behalf. This
position reports to the Port Engineer.

II.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

* Ensures maximum vessel fleet availability and reliability

* 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

* Assists in the development of the CMLF maintenance plan, and sets overall priorities and
performance standards for preventive and predictive maintenance for assigned areas and assigned
personnel

* Assists in overseeing and execution of the annual and monthly preventative maintenance plans;
directs seasonal support activities, including off-season servicing of equipment, systems, and
infrastructure; uses computerized maintenance program to monitor maintenance trends, progress
of maintenance, and to manage work orders

* Uses systems to maintain records on equipment, inventories, and preventative maintenance
activities and analyzes these records to implement or recommend improvements

* Manages and oversees the supervision of personnel in assigned area, including work allocation,
training, and problem resolution; evaluates performance and makes recommendations for
personnel actions; motivates employees to achieve peak productivity and performance

* Effectively communicates with assigned personnel to set priorities, and to understand and handle
employee issues; meets regularly with and involves assigned personnel to determine best vessel
upgrades, and improvements, and best practices for vessel maintenance and repairs

* Primary manager of night watch operations, to include: watering, pumping of sewage and bilges,
and various maintenance activities to ensure uninterrupted resumption of service the next day

* Assists in the management of the CMLF warehouse inventory to meet anticipated maintenance and
repair needs, while also managing costs

* Develops training plans (mandated and career development) for all assigned employees and
ensures their compliance with established policies, procedures, and regulations

* Assists with development of budgets; seeks best value and analyzes expenses for potential
operating, repairs and maintenance savings

* 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 vendor relationships according to Authority guidelines

* Manages on-site shipyard work during dry-docking and other repair evolutions to ensure contract
specifications are being met and best quality is achieved, negotiates change orders, documents
project schedule, and handles pay estimates

* Interfaces with regulatory and government agencies, vendors, contractors, and customers on
matters related to maintenance and operations; specialist on regulatory issues regarding marine
maintenance; assists as liaison with the U.S. Coast Guard for inspections

* Participates in environmental and safety planning and compliance within policies and regulations
to include the execution of mandated inspection processes, acts as a Qualified Individual under the
Facility Response Plan; secondary manager of the Fuel Oil Transfer Procedures

* Provides the highest level of customer service and professionalism to all internal and external
customers

* Works as duty officer as needed, dispatching crew and handling other operational needs

* On occasion, sails in an underway capacity to fill staffing needs

* Other duties as assigned

III. REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

* Knowledge of management principles and maintenance practices, procedures, and
operations; able to manage a diverse work force

* Strong knowledge of relevant local, state and federal regulations, and Authority protocols
and procedures that impact marine operations, repairs, and maintenance

* Knowledge of business and…