AMHS - Second Assistant Engineer

ATTENTION! ALL APPLICANTS!

Set sail on a career where your office is on the Alaska coastline and every day brings new scenery and new people. As a 2nd Assistant Engineer with the Alaska Marine Highway System, you’ll work hands-on with powerful machinery while traveling Alaska’s incredible coastline. Every day is different, and you’ll be part of a tight-knit crew that keeps communities connected.

As a 2nd Assistant Engineer, you will oversee the safe and efficient operation of engineering machinery, equipment, and spaces, logging all relevant data. Your responsibilities include conducting routine maintenance and repairs on engine room machinery and auxiliary equipment, as well as supervising repairs performed by ship crew, technicians contracted in shipyards or other shore-side facilities. In addition to your crucial role in monitoring and ensuring the functionality of the engineering systems, you will actively participate as a leader in lifeboat and emergency response teams.

A key aspect of your role involves ensuring a professional watch, well-informed and execute their duties effectively. Reporting to the First Assistant Engineer, you will not only manage the technical aspects of the role but also undertake any other assigned duties to contribute to the overall success of the team.

The Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) is a vital part of the State of Alaska’s transportation network, connecting coastal communities that are not accessible by road. As part of the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities, AMHS plays a critical role in keeping Alaska moving—supporting residents, businesses, and visitors through safe and reliable marine service.

Our mission is to provide essential transportation services that strengthen Alaska’s communities, promote economic opportunity, and ensure safe, efficient travel across the state’s coastal regions.

At AMHS, our culture is built on teamwork, service, and pride in what we do. Life at sea requires a strong commitment to safety, accountability, and supporting one another in a dynamic, 24/7 environment. We value employees who are adaptable, hardworking, and dedicated to serving the public. Whether working behind the scenes or directly with passengers, every crew member contributes to delivering a positive and professional experience on board.

The State of Alaska has a generous benefits package and an excellent retirement plan. Please see here for more information: (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./

The Alaska Marine Highway System provides upward mobility and progressive advancement opportunity to higher paying positions. New hires who successfully complete their probationary period can apply for regularly assigned bid positions if they meet the MQ's (Minimum Qualifications). Union seniority plays a major role in how the work is assigned and how the bid positions are awarded. However, while building up seniority, it is not unusual for the new hires to work higher paying positions before being able to bid, through onboard upgrades, especially during the busy summer season.

Working aboard AMHS means operating in a dynamic, fast-paced marine environment across Alaska’s coastal routes, where schedules, locations, and crew rotations are driven by vessel operations.

The Alaska Marine Highway System operates across two distinct service regions. The Southeast (SE) route serves communities between Bellingham, Washington and Skagway, Alaska, and is the primary operating area for most vessels. The Southwest (SW) route serves more remote communities between Cordova and the Aleutian Chain and has a smaller relief pool. Current recruitment efforts are primarily focused on the Southeast region.

AMHS vessel operations run 24/7, including days, nights, weekends, and holidays. Employees are typically assigned to a 2 week-on / 2 week-off rotation, working an average of 84 hours per week while onboard. Daily schedules may range from 8 to 12 hours and can include split shifts. Vessel assignments are managed by dispatch, and…