JOIN ALASKA MARINE HIGHWAY SYSTEM FOR A REWARDING MARITIME CAREER!
Sail around the great state of Alaska while working aboard our beautiful ships! If you love to travel, meet new people or are looking for the perfect opportunity to kick start a career on the water, the Alaska Marine Highway may have the ideal opportunity for you!

Passenger service employees provide exceptional customer service and ensure the safety for our passengers while performing tasks in the galley, dining room or cafeteria, crew mess, staterooms and public areas aboard the ferries.

COMPENSATION
AMHS offers a competitive starting pay scale which can vary by operating region. Probationary steward salaries typically range between, $17.48 and $21.26 per hour. Applicants who successfully complete their probationary period, approximately six months for full-time employees, will then be considered permanent and receive a pay increase. AMHS also offers progressive pay for advancement to higher level positions.

BENEFITS

Stewards qualify for State of Alaska benefits usually within 30 days of hire. The State of Alaska offers one of the best benefit systems in the state and includes medical and dental insurance with optional family coverage, retirement benefits and vacation and personal leave which accrues with years of service. A summary of state benefits can be reviewed here.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
High School diploma or equivalent
Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age
Must be eligible to obtain a TWIC and MMC
Must be willing to submit to a physical and drug test
Ability to perform any required duties, with or without reasonable accommodation

DESIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE

This is a public service position in the government sector providing service in a maritime environment. As such, a strong commitment to safety, customer service and work ethics are required. Food service experience and/or culinary education (cooking, table or fast food service, etc.) is highly preferred. Basic computer skills, especially with using Point-of-Sale systems (computerized cash registers) and Microsoft Office programs are desired.

DESIRED ABILITIES AND CHARACTERISTICS

This position serves as a public agent for the State of Alaska. Thus, AMHS employees are required to perform duties/tasks in a safe and highly ethical manner. Public employees have a responsibility to maintain the public’s trust. AMHS is an Alcohol and Drug-Free Workplace and has a strictly enforced Drug & Alcohol Policy. Candidates that can meet or exceed above expectations and demonstrate the following characteristic are highly desirable;

A genuine desire to serve the public

Positive, outgoing, professional attitude

Adaptive to learning new skills and knowledge

Ability to take directions and work within a team

Ability to interpret and follow policy & procedure

Ability to maintain composure & professional demeanor

Adaptive to changes in a progressive work environment

Excellent communications skills: verbal, non-verbal, and written

Strong conflict resolution skills and ability to work within a diverse workforce

REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS
AMHS operations are governed by State, Federal and International maritime regulations. Employees are required to possess and maintain several maritime and service industry certifications to work onboard AMHS vessels. Obtaining these certifications can take some time depending on the issuing agency (approx. 2 months). Some certifications require US Citizenship or Legal Residency and a background check. Cost associated with these documents are the candidate’s responsibility. Below is the list of the certifications required for a new hire for the Steward position before they can be dispatched to work:
 

1. TWIC (Transportation Worker Identification Credential): This credential is issued by Transportation Security Administration (TSA), a division of the Department of Homeland Security. The ability to obtain this credential will require a criminal history/background check. The application process takes several weeks and must be started before applying for the MMC (Merchant Mariner Credential). More information is available at Transportation Security Administration.
2. MMC (Merchant Mariner Credential): This credential is issued by the National Maritime Center, a division of United States Coast Guard (USCG). Please contact your nearest USCG office for obtaining the MMC or go online to the listed website below. There are different versions of the MMC; use the Entry Level application option and ensure you have the Steward (FH) endorsement and Medical Certificate on your MMC. You must possess or apply for your TWIC before you can apply for your MMC. More information is available at National Maritime Center.
3. DOT 5 Panel Drug Test: All prospective employees must submit to a pre-employment chemical test for drugs and must receive a negative test result prior to performing employee functions. The test must have been done within the 6 months prior to your new hire orientation. Test results will usually be included in your Merchant Mariner Credential paperwork if MMC was obtained recently. You may otherwise get your test done at USCG authorized drug testing facility. 
4. Alaska Food Worker Card: This card is issued by Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Application is available online at http://dec.alaska.gov/
5. Training for Alcohol Professionals (TAP): This certification is required for any crew member 21 and older. Information for obtaining this certification is available at https://alaskatap.com/

WORK LOCATIONS

AMHS operates in two distinctive regions. The Southeast (SE) region covers the routes between Bellingham WA and Skagway, AK. The majority of AMHS vessels operate in this region. The other, more remote and smaller region is the Southwest (SW), which includes the routes between Cordova and the Aleutian Chain. The relief pool for the Southwest route is very small in comparison to Southeast. Currently, we are only recruiting for the SE region with Ketchikan and Juneau as the change ports (dispatch locations). Therefore, a successful candidate will need to relocate to Southeast Alaska, at least for the first 6 months to a year of their employment and until they became eligible to bid for a permanent position.

SCHEDULE
AMHS vessel operations are a 24/7 work environment with variable assignments. The AMHS dispatch department handles all vessel assignment related matters. In general, you will be assigned to a vessel on a week on/week off schedule, working an average of 84 hours per week. Your daily schedule during your vessel assignments may vary from 8 hours to 12 hours and you may be asked to work split shifts. Onboard department heads delegate your tasks based on the position you were assigned by Dispatch. You may also be asked to switch/upgrade positions during your assignment(s). Schedules are posted periodically by dispatch.

LIFE ONBOARD

This is a fast-paced and dynamic work environment with a very diverse workforce. Room & board is provided while on assignment (select vessels only). Crew stays in shared quarters and meals are provided at the crew mess on most vessels.

APPLICATION PROCESS
The Steward position is listed through several job sites however applications are only accepted through the employment page on the AMHS website. Applicants must have a reliable email account that is monitored daily, and provide a working phone number that can be reached during regular business hours to effectively communicate with our recruitment desk.

DOCUMENTATION
Valid copies of the certifications listed above must be received by our recruitment desk within 3 months of the job offer. The hiring process cannot continue without the required certifications for the position which will lead to cancellation of the job offer.

NEW HIRE ORIENTATION (NHO)
Successful candidates will need to attend the New Hire Orientation (NHO) in Ketchikan, Alaska and complete their hiring process. Once the hiring paperwork is done and the NHO completed you will be eligible for dispatch.