Combat Cargo Expert - Vessel Assessment Team

MANTECH is seeking a Combat Cargo Expert to help support our current USMC contract from home and out of Australia. The location of work is Remote (home) while not on the vessel and either Brisbane or Darwin are the Vessel's Homeports (Brisbane for four months and Darwin for 32 months). The successful candidate will be joining a diverse team at an industry-leading organization known for prioritizing employee development and offering opportunities for advancement.

This role focuses on ensuring that all Marine Corps and Australia combat cargo operations are conducted efficiently, safely, and in alignment with mission requirements, while adapting to experimental configurations and stepping outside traditional MOS boundaries to learn and support other VAT roles for
team success. This position serves as a second Combat Cargo Expert on a team of four that will breakdown into two two-person teams to be on the vessel at all times except while the vessel in an extended maintenance period. Position will alternate between aboard vessel on 4-6 week rotation with other VAT members and ashore supporting VAT requirements.

This position will collaborate closely with the crew, other VAT members, Marine Corps personnel, Australian Army, and unit stakeholders to ensure the vessel meets operational needs for littoral, joint, and Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO) experimentation requirements.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• The Combat Cargo Expert is responsible for evaluating, mentoring, and overseeing the embarkation, stowage, and movement of Embarked Force personnel and cargo aboard the experimental vessel. This role focuses on ensuring that all Marine Corps shore-to-shore operations are conducted efficiently, safely, and in alignment with mission requirements, adapting standard Combat Cargo procedures and TEO methodologies to non-standard stern-landing configuration for shore-to-shore, ship-to-shore, and ship-to-ship operations.
• Develop and evaluate plans for the embarkation and stowage of personnel, vehicles, ammunition, supplies, and other military cargo aboard the vessel.
• Ensure that cargo configurations align with mission requirements Force Design distributed operations, and the vessel's design accommodates efficient loading, stowage, and deployment of assets, incorporating tools like Integrated Computerized Deployment System (ICODES) and Sea Service Deployment Module (SSDM).
• Supervise the safe and secure stowage of all cargo, ensuring that weight and balance requirements are met for operational readiness regulations for a Commercially Owned/Commercially Operated (CO/CO) ship, and vessel-specific parameters like modular deck systems.
• Ensure that crew members are familiar with Marine Corps operational requirements related to cargo handling and personnel movement
• Identify and address any risks associated with the embarkation, stowage, and deployment of combat cargo, ensuring that all operational practices support mission success while maintaining safety.
• Provide detailed reports and recommendations regarding the vessel's Embarked Force capability set cargo handling capabilities and performance during experimentation, including SITREPs, Test Reports, Quicklooks, Developmental Testing Reports, Storyboards, and contributions to Final Assessment Reports disseminated via Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC).
• Document any issues related to the stowage, movement, or deployment of cargo and personnel, offering corrective actions to ensure optimal operational efficiency, while supporting deliverables.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelors Degree and at least 5 years of extensive experience with US Military cargo operations, including embarkation, stowage, and movement of personnel and equipment. Additional 2 years of experience may be substituted in lieu of degree
• Expertise in amphibious and littoral operations as well as the integration of cargo handling procedures with U.S. Military vessels and platforms.
• Knowledge of military cargo handling techniques, logistics, and risk management practices.

Preferred Qualifications:

• In-depth knowledge of marine diesel engines, generators, pumps, hydraulics, and other essential shipboard systems.
• Experience managing resources, budgets, and personnel related to watercraft operations.
• Experience in overall management and maintenance of an entire fleet of Army watercraft.
• Understanding of all aspects of Army watercraft systems and their interrelationships.
• In-depth knowledge of marine diesel engines, generators, pumps, hydraulics, and other essential shipboard systems.
• Advanced certifications relevant to the field, such as merchant mariner credentials, engineering certifications, or project management certifications.
• Solid understanding of navigation principles, techniques, and regulations.
• Extensive experience in developing and conducting training programs for vessel crew and/or vessel departments.
• Served as a MEU, PHIBRON and/or a Ship Combat Cargo Officer, S-4 Logistics Officer during a standard ARG/MEU deployment.
• Served as a TEO during a complete ARG/MEU workup series and deployment
• Familiar with EABO (Littoral Operations) and how it differs from traditional Amphibious Operations related to an ARG/MEU.
• Strong understanding of maritime safety regulations and military operational logistics including International Maritime Organization (IMO), American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), and Australia Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) standards.
• Familiar with Marine Corps processes, procedures, and interoperability requirements.
• Familiar with the Marine Corps Planning Process (MCPP) as well as the Joint Exercise Life Cycle (JELC) process and structure.
• Completed U.S. Marine Corps Expeditionary Warfare School (EWS) PME Program or service equivalent.
• Completed U.S. Marine Corps Command and Staff (CS) PME Program or service equivalent.

Clearance Requirement: US Citizen with the ability to obtain a DoD Secret clearance.

Physical Requirement:

• Requires the ability to work aboard vessel for 4-6 week cycles and ashore, including extended at-sea period (less than a month), sea trials, beach landings, walking on and off the vessel by the ramp into water during beach landing operations, experimentation support in austere environments, heavy lifting oversight, and compliance with Joint Travel Regulations (JTR) for official travel to sites like with the western and south Pacific (i.e. Australia, Indonesia, Philippines, and Japan.
• Be able to lift up to 60 pounds of equipment