Firewatch/General Laborer

General Laborer / Firewatch

Entry-Level | $20.00 per Hour | Chesapeake, VA

Support critical U.S. Navy ship repair and maintenance operations while helping protect personnel, equipment, and vessels. Join Caribou Thunder and become part of a mission-focused team where safety, reliability, and hard work make a difference every day.
A Day in the Life - What You'll Do

• Support Shipboard Operations: Assist electricians, welders, pipefitters, machinists, and other skilled trades during naval vessel repair, maintenance, and overhaul operations. Transport tools, materials, and equipment while supporting general cleaning, surface preparation, and equipment staging.
  
• Provide Firewatch Protection: Monitor welding, cutting, grinding, and other hot work activities for sparks, fire hazards, and unsafe conditions. Verify that fire extinguishers, hoses, blankets, and other required fire prevention equipment are available and operational.
  
• Maintain a Safe Work Environment: Remove debris, scrap materials, and potential hazards from shipboard, dry dock, and pier-side work areas. Follow all company, shipyard, and U.S. Navy safety requirements, including proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
  
• Respond to Hazards and Support Compliance: Maintain communication with hot work operators and safety personnel, respond appropriately to emerging hazards, remain on firewatch throughout designated cool-down periods, and accurately complete required safety forms, permits, and checklists.

Required Qualifications

• Basic understanding of shipyard safety procedures, fire prevention practices, and workplace hazard awareness.
  
• Ability to recognize potential safety hazards, report unsafe conditions, and follow established emergency response procedures.
  
• Ability to safely operate basic hand and power tools as directed.
  
• Physical ability to climb ladders, access scaffolding, enter confined spaces, work at heights, and lift up to 50 pounds.
  
• Ability to work aboard naval vessels, in dry docks, and in pier-side industrial environments.
  
• Ability to perform duties in varying environmental conditions, including heat, noise, dust, fumes, confined spaces, and areas with moving machinery.
  
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions accurately.
  
• Strong reliability, punctuality, attention to detail, and commitment to workplace safety.
  
• Ability to maintain and properly utilize required PPE while adhering to company, shipyard, and Navy safety protocols.
  
• Ability to maintain effective communication with supervisors, skilled trades personnel, and safety teams.
  
• Ability to remain attentive and vigilant throughout hot work operations and designated firewatch cool-down periods.
  
• Ability to complete required safety documentation, permits, and checklists accurately.

Preferred Qualifications

• High school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) equivalent.
  
• Previous experience working in shipyards, industrial facilities, construction sites, or similar environments.
  
• Prior experience supporting ship repair, vessel maintenance, overhaul operations, or industrial trades.
  
• Previous experience performing firewatch duties during welding, cutting, grinding, or other hot work activities.
  
• OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 Shipyard Industry Safety Card.
  
• Firewatch / Hot Work Safety Certification.
  
• Basic First Aid and CPR certification.
  
• Familiarity with fire extinguishers, fire blankets, water hoses, and other fire prevention equipment.
  
• Experience working aboard U.S. Navy vessels or in naval shipyard environments.

Firewatch and hot work safety training may be provided.
Work Environment

This position primarily supports naval vessel repair and maintenance operations in Chesapeake, Virginia, including work aboard ships, in dry docks, and on piers.

Candidates must be comfortable working in physically demanding industrial environments that may involve ladders, scaffolding, confined spaces, elevated work areas, open decks, exposure to weather, high noise levels, dust, fumes, heat, and moving machinery.

Safety awareness, situational vigilance, and adherence to established procedures are essential to success in this role.
Who Is Caribou Thunder?

Caribou Thunder is a HUBZone-certified small business providing advanced technical and engineering services to the U.S. Department of War and its mission partners.

With operations spanning 35+ states and 20+ countries, we've delivered trusted solutions for over two decades - strengthening national readiness across missions on land, undersea, in the air, and throughout LEO, MEO, GEO, and deep space.
Why Caribou Thunder?

TEAM THUNDER - Mission Focused. Delivery Proven. Ready to Serve.

• Employee Advocacy: Putting our people first through meaningful career opportunities, professional development, and comprehensive benefits.
  
• Mission Proven: Supporting critical national defense programs with proven expertise and dependable execution.
  
• Global Reach: Delivering mission-focused solutions across the United States and internationally.
  
• Skilled Teams: Working alongside experienced professionals dedicated to safety, quality, and operational excellence.
  
• Modern Tools: Leveraging proven technologies, equipment, and innovative solutions to support demanding mission requirements.
  
• Empowering Culture: Building a workplace centered on teamwork, accountability, professional growth, and mutual respect.

Our engineers, technicians, and innovators ensure capability from sea floor to space frontier - delivering on time, maintaining compliance, and performing with precision in high-consequence environments.

We specialize in Engineering Services, Cybersecurity, Software Development, Modeling & Simulation, Digital Engineering, and Artificial Intelligence - disciplines powering the nation's most complex technical missions.
Employee Advocacy + Benefits

Our people are the heart of Caribou Thunder. We invest in their growth, flexibility, and well-being - knowing their success drives ours.

Benefits Include:

• Premium Health, Dental & Vision Insurance
  
• 401(k) with 6% Company Match
  
• Flexible PTO & Work Schedule
  
• Education & Certification Reimbursement
  
• Support for Military Leave
  
• Work-Life Balance & Traditional Family Values

Your future, your flexibility, your well-being - we invest in you.

Apply today and join TEAM THUNDER, where your commitment to safety and mission success makes a difference.