Chief Radio Electronics Technician

This is a shipboard position with the Military Sealift Command, a U.S. Navy command. Ships operate worldwide, so the work is at sea and the San Diego location is a reference point only; assignments are made by MSC. Applications are submitted through MSC's own application portal (apply.sealiftcommand.com) - contacting your Veteran Staffing Consultant does not submit one.

MSC's average annual earnings for this role: $136,012 plus a recruitment bonus of up to $50,094. That is total take-home including overtime and penalty pay, not the base pay in the job announcement.

Announcement opens continuously from 10/01/2026, with periodic cut-offs.

A recruitment incentive is authorized for eligible selectees and requires a service agreement. Incentive is paid as a lump sum at the beginning of employment with the Command. Mixed Work Schedule, VEOA candidates and Annuitants selected for employment as Able Seaman are not eligible for recruitment incentives.

The Chief Radio Electronics Technician is a Civil Service Mariner (CIVMAR) employed by the Navy to serve the Military Sealift Command (MSC) onboard naval auxiliaries and hybrid-manned warships worldwide, in peace and war. MSC exists to support the joint warfighter across the full spectrum of military operations. MSC provides on-time logistics, strategic sealift, as well as specialized missions anywhere in the world, in contested or uncontested environments.

The Chief Radio Electronics Technician is directly responsible to the Ships Communication Officer (SCO) or to the ships’ Master when assigned to Service Support Vessels (T-ARS or T-AFT). The Chief Radio Electronics Technician is responsible for the Communications Department and is the Communications Local Element (LE) EKMS custodian on EKMS matters or issues.

Able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret Security Clearance.

Understands Computer Protocols, Information Assurance (IA) Security, Applications, and Corrective Measures.

Knowledgeable of electronic theory and be competent to perform all required equipment inspection, evaluation of performance, problem troubleshooting, preventive and corrective maintenance, and minor repairs to shipboard communications systems. Fully proficient with operating radio cryptographic equipment. The incumbent must be skilled in interpretation of electronics technical manuals, drawings, specifications and schematic drawings.

Proficient in the proper use of a wide variety of diagnostic programs, electronic test equipment and tools. Skilled in diagnosing problems and determining appropriate corrective action.

Knowledgeable of the Electrical Safety Program and safety requirements of the equipment worked upon. Required to observe all safety rules and take appropriate precautions to ensure personal safety and safety of co-workers. Incumbent may be assigned as the department tag out/lock out coordinator. Proficient in the performance of shipboard emergency drills, and working aloft.

Knowledgeable with policy and procedures related to duties and responsibilities of the EKMS Local Element (LE) alternate custodian.

Duties include: Supervises allocated watch standing personnel. Prepares and coordinates planned maintenance schedules as required by the SCO. Provides technical assistance and conducts necessary training. Maintains technical publications and files. Ensures COMSEC procedures and instructions related to crypto security, transmission security, and emissions security are complied with. Ensures compliance with safety procedures.

Supervises IT personnel in a computer environment (CE) performing vulnerability scans on information systems utilizing tools mandated by Department of Defense (DOD) and or private sector industry. Performs system back-ups, scanning for computer viruses, implementing security measures when tasked by industry mandates and/or DOD requirements. Manage computer assets. Maintains a ship’s or industry company Local Area Network (LAN).

Manages the transfer of information technology using Military or commercial satellites, Tactical LOS, HF, UHF, VHF and HF Longhaul communications. Operations are routinely performed within a battle group with specific circuits and protocol that must be utilized. Complies with COMSEC requirements on both transmission and receipt of communications messages.

Trouble shoots LAN outages and or computer systems. Diagnoses system faults to isolate failures between hardware, system software and application programs. Investigates and reports CE issues or Information Assurance (IA) security violations to higher authority for resolution.

Manages the operation of information systems in support of worldwide telecommunications network. Assigned systems include, but not limited to MDU/MDS, NAVMACS II, GATEGUARD, NIPR/SIPRNET, ADNS and COMPOSE SYSTEMS.

Advises the SCO on capabilities, limitations and condition of equipment. The incumbent may be required to work aloft and over side to ascertain equipment condition.

Interacts with technical support personnel and peers to resolve technical hardware and software problems. Provides technical assistance to personnel involved in system programming and hardware selections. Performs customer service assistance and/or training in response to mission/companies needs and requirements.

Operates Command, Control, Communications, Computer and Systems (C4S) including equipment used for communication, tracking, recognition and identification. Systems to be kept fully operational include ship’s capability to handle two secure Fleet Broadcast Satellite Communications (FLTBROADCAST) channels for classified traffic, CUDIXS Full period termination to send and receive genser traffic and tactical information via GCCS-M, NGW and CBSP if equipped.

Supervises and trains assigned personnel.

Ensures continuing application and compliance with EEO laws, regulations and policies. Carries out EEO Policies and communicates support of these policies to subordinates.

Everything in this Position Description is considered to be an essential function of this position. Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Minimum Eligibility Requirements: Must be a United States citizen of at least 18 years of age and possess and maintain:
• U.S. Regular Passport (also referred to as a tourist or blue passport) with minimum of ten (10) months of expiration date.
• Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) with a minimum of ten (10) months remaining of expiration.
• United States Coast Guard (USCG) Merchant Mariner's Credential (MMC), and medical certificate, with a minimum of ten months remaining of expiration date.
• United States Coast Guard (USCG) Medical Certificate without any Limitations/Restrictions, with a minimum of ten (10) months remaining of expiration date.
• Position Specific Requirements: **Must have one of the following. **
• Must have three (3) years cumulative experience sailing on MSC Vessels as a permanent First Radio Electronics Technician (RET1) or temporary Chief Radio Electronics Technician (CRET). Experience must have been aboard at least two (2) ship class types, i.e. AO, AKE, AOE, ARS, ATF, AS, etc. OR
• U.S. Navy or other Military Branch IT trained personnel E6 or above with experience supervising a shipboard Communications Center (i.e. Radio Central/Outboard Shack), or other Government, Military or Commercial environment (i.e. NCTAMS, NTCC, TAGOS (SURTASS), DOD COMMCENTER). Applicants utilizing Military experience should have no more than 10 years recency out of the field.

NOTE: When submitting an application for employment, you must provide a letter from your Facility Security Officer and or Government Security Official to document Top Secret eligibility. You must have Top Secret eligibility within the last 24 months when hired for this position:

Work for Warriors is a no-cost employment program of the California Military Department for Service Members, Veterans, and military family members. The Veteran Staffing Consultant for Military Sealift Command is Chuck Callahan.