Ferryboat Captain I - III

Ferryboat Captain I - III - (2602773)

Position Information

Are you a seasoned mariner ready to take the helm of one of Texas' most unique transportation operations? We are seeking an experienced Ferryboat Captain I - III to safely navigate ferry vessels, lead crews, and ensure thousands of passengers and vehicles reach their destinations safely every day.

This is more than a captain's position. It is an opportunity to take command, make critical decisions, mentor crews, and play a key role in one of the state's most visible maritime operations.

Ferryboat Captain Salary Ranges:

• Ferryboat Captain I: $57,614 - $93,138
• Ferryboat Captain II: $61,184 - $99,658
• Ferryboat Captain III: $65,104 - $106,634

Minimum Salary

: 57,614.00

Maximum Salary

: 106,634.00

Pay Basis

: Yearly FLSA Status: Nonexempt

Travel

: Yes, 5 % of the Time Shift: Rotating Shift Details: 40 Location Flexibility: Onsite

Benefits and Perks

At TxDOT, we value work-life balance and are committed to providing our employees with a comprehensive range of benefits and programs, including:

• Retirement Plans
• Alternative and/or Flexible Work Schedules
• Paid Leave and Holidays
• Health Premiums paid at 100% for Full-Time Employees
• On-the-Job Training
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Holistic Wellness Program with Leave Incentives
• Career Development and Advancement Opportunities
• Family-Friendly Policies and Programs

In 2024, TxDOT was recognized as a Best Place for Working Parents, and many of our offices statewide are also designated as Texas Mother-Friendly Worksites. These recognitions reflect our dedication to supporting families and promoting a healthy work-life balance.

For a complete list of our total compensation package please visit our website at: Total Compensation Package
To view benefits available to all State of Texas employees visit: Benefits at a Glance (ERS.texas.gov)

Position Description

Performs as an experienced ferryboat captain of motor ferry vessels transporting crew members, public vehicles and passengers. Has total responsibility for decisions and/or actions affecting the safety and welfare of the vessel, crew, passengers, vehicles and other public properties. Has sole authority for the movement or non-movement of the vessel and the retention or expelling for cause, of crew members and/or passengers and their property from the vessel. Work requires constant contact with private entities. Employees at this level perform work independently on assignments; however all unusual issues are referred to the supervisor.

Essential Duties:

Ferryboat Captain I:

• Provides general direction to deckhands involved in performance of deck evolutions (loading, unloading, security and
  minor cleaning and maintenance.)
• Provides general direction to marine communications coordinators involved in public relations and land-to-sea
  communications.
• Provides general direction to the watch engineer involved in performance of engineering watch and maintenance duties.
• Ensures strict compliance with the Federal Waters Pollution Control Act and the Federal Communications Commission
  Communications Act of 1934.
• Ensures the daily inspection and report of the operating condition of all emergency fire fighting, lifesaving and
  childbirth equipment on the vessel.
• Leads and trains ferry operations personnel as necessary.
• Maintains and submits daily activity logs of vessel movements, traffic and passenger statistics and unusual occurrences
  or special events.
• Navigates and maneuvers vessels in high density traffic areas and/or under all weather and sea conditions in accordance
  with Inland Navigation Rules of the Road and the rules of good seamanship.
• Navigates in situations involving meetings/overtaking/crossing encounters with other vessels in times of darkness and
  light, high winds, extreme tide fluctuations, heavy ebb/flow currents, zero visibility and close proximity to shoal waters.
• Performs safety ride-ons with other captains to evaluate consistency of safe vessel operations.
• Reports to U.S. Coast Guard all incidents of marine, accident, injury or death occurring on the vessel while in his/her
  charge.
• Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.

Ferryboat Captain II:

• Gives instructions to traffic control personnel and/or law enforcement officers contracted for security purposes.
• Performs safety ride-ons with other captains to evaluate consistency of safe vessel operations.
• Serves as senior captain; takes charge of all ferry operations and support functions in the absence of the Ferry
  Operation Manager/Assistant and/or Ferry Supervisor, when directed.
• Trains and evaluates new Captains as assigned.

Ferryboat Captain III:

• Responsible for the periodic conduct of all-hands emergency drills and exercises such as fire, collision, man overboard,
  fog navigation, grounding, bomb threat and emergency childbirth.
• Serves as primary enforcement authority for State Regulations Governing Operation of the Ferries.
• Serves as senior captain; takes charge of all ferry operations and support functions in the absence of the Ferry
  Operation Manager/Assistant and/or Ferry Supervisor, when directed.
• Submits reports on the above matters of the Ferry Operation Manager and/or staff as well as any other matters affecting
  the stability and/or operational capability of the vessel and all matters of consequence with the public.
• Trains and evaluates new Captains as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: High School Grad or Equivalent in general high school studies.

Experience:

Ferryboat Captain I : 6 years in marine operations. (Experience can be satisfied by full time or prorated part time equivalent).

Ferryboat Captain II : 7 years in marine operations. (Experience can be satisfied by full time or prorated part time equivalent).

Ferryboat Captain III : 8 years in marine operations. (Experience can be satisfied by full time or prorated part time equivalent).

*Graduation from a maritime academy will substitute for 5 years experience. (*Substitutions for Minimum Qualifications)

Licenses and Certifications:

• Valid driver’s license. This position requires driving a state vehicle.
• Must have required US Coast Guard (USCG) certifications an/or documents appropriate for the position and vessel being operated.
• For Galveston Ferry Operations: Must have or obtain a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) within ninety (90) days of the date of hire.
• Master 1600T(D) 3000T(ITC)or > (Must have at the time of application).
• Mandatory: Safety Impact Certificate
• Mandatory: Vessel Crew Member Cert
• USCG Cert Radar Observer
• USCG-Mer Mar Doc-Lifeboatman
• USCG-Mer Mar Doc-Able Seaman
• USCG Lic-Mas-S&L Ves-100 Tons
• USCG Medical Certificate

Competencies:

• Applicable industry safety standards, guidelines, and specification codes
• Navigating ferryboats
• Fire fighting
• Leading, assigning, reviewing, and monitoring the work of others
• Preparing and maintaining confidential and sensitive records, files, and reports
• Training in a classroom, office, or field environment
• Maintaining a safe and effective working relationship with others
• Communicate effectively
• Work in varying conditions to include heavy traffic, overhead power lines and underground utilities
• Work in cramped spaces (bend, stoop, crawl) and at varied heights
• Delegates both routine and important tasks and decisions; shares authority but has ultimate accountability

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Subject to environmental conditions; protection from weather but not temperature changes
• Subject to outside environmental conditions; no effective weather protection
• Subject to inside and outside environmental conditions
• Subject to extreme cold and heat; below 32 and/or above 100 degrees for more than one hour
• Subject to noise and vibration
• Subject to hazards-moving vehicles/mechanical parts, high places/heat, or chemicals
• Subject to atmospheric conditions-fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases, poor ventilation

Conditions of Employment:
Please click this link to read the standard conditions of employment for all positions: Standard Conditions of Employment (TxDOT)

• This job has been identified as physically demanding and will require a pre-employment physical.
• Must pass a drug test prior to employment for safety impact positions. This is a Safety Impact position and will be subject to random drug testing.
  • Please note that the Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulation – 49 CFR Part 40, at 40.151(e) – does not authorize “medical marijuana” under a state law to be a valid medical explanation for a positive drug test result for an employee in this position.

Job

: Maint/Skilled Craft/Ferry Ops

Schedule

: Full-time

Employee Status

: Regular

Job Type

: Standard

Job Level

: Non-Management

Job Posting

: Oct 21, 2026, 2:00:56 PM

Unposting Date

: Nov 4, 2026, 11:59:00 PM

State Job Title/s: Ferryboat Captain I State Job Code/s: 9850

Military Occupational Specialty (MOS)

TxDOT is committed to hiring veterans. To assist in determining whether your military experience may pertain to the minimum requirements for this position, Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes from each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces have been assigned to each state classification code/title where applicable. The MOS codes are grouped by occupational category.

To view the MOS codes please click on link below and click on the appropriate occupational category.

https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions

Applicant Information

The Texas Department of Transportation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

If requested, reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities for any part of the employment process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Action of 1990.

Please click this link to read the information for applicants: Additional Applicant Information