Employment

The Alaska Marine Highway, a division of the State of Alaska's Department of Transportation, provides essential transportation service to the coastal communities of Alaska not accessible by our land based road system.

The Alaska Marine Highway route encompasses over 3500 miles from our southernmost port of Bellingham, WA throughout the Inside Passage of Southeast Alaska, cross gulf sailings to Prince William Sound, the Kenai Peninsula and east along the Aleutian Island chain to Dutch Harbor. AMHS employees are provided with an array of benefits while working in what are considered to be some of the most beautiful and exciting waterways in the world. A route so special, it's been named an "All American Road," the highest recognition afforded in the USDOT's American Byways program.

The AMHS has been operating year-round since 1963, with regularly scheduled passenger and vehicle service aboard a fleet of 11 vessels. From ocean class mainline vessels to innovative fast vehicle ferries and day boats, the AMHS services a total of 32 communities along the Alaska coastline, British Columbia and Washington.

Approximately 1100 AMHS employees serve aboard our vessels and in our communities. Whether working in administration, onboard a vessel or in a terminal all of our employees contribute to the successes we achieve as an organization. We are always on the lookout for focused, hard working individuals interested in positions ranging from vessel and terminal operations to professional, business and support roles. If you're interested in a maritime career working in one of the most scenic areas of the world, the Alaska Marine Highway may be the ideal opportunity for you!

Benefits

The Alaska Marine Highway System and the State of Alaska boasts one of the best benefit systems in Alaska. For more information, see the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities' benefits page.

Hiring

Workplace Alaska is our online hiring system for all positions throughout the Alaska Marine Highway System. For more information on job class specifications and how to apply, you should start at the Workplace Alaska home page.

Licensed administrative and vessel positions may be hired through direct application to the appropriate department contacts, as listed below:

Steward and Purser Departments

Entry level vessel positions for all departments are hired through the Steward department. Entry level positions for steward, purser, engineering and deck departments all follow the same application process. Employees with prior maritime experience may qualify for other available positions. All previous training and experience are considered in the hiring process.

Applications for the Steward department are generally accepted in November through January with interviews held in March. For further details on the timeline and minimum requirements for Steward positions see the steward class specification, or download our steward brochure.

If you have questions after reviewing the steward brochure please contact:

Lynn Stewart, Passenger Services Inspector
Alaska Marine Highway System
7559 N Tongass Highway
Ketchikan, Alaska 99901
lynn.stewart@alaska.gov
P: 907-228-7259
F: 907-225-1516

Engineering Opportunities

Entry level positions in the engineering department are handled through the steward department. Please see the application process above or download our engineering brochure.

Click on the desired position for a brief description of the minimum requirements.

Motor Vessels:

Third Assistant Engineer
Second Assistant Engineer
First Assistant Engineer
Chief Engineer

Fast Vehicle Ferries:

FVF Engineer
FVF Chief Engineer

For the availability of un-licensed positions available in the engineering department please contact:

Dan Benson, Crew Dispatcher
Alaska Marine Highway System
7559 North Tongass Highway
Ketchikan, Alaska 99901
P: 907-228-6814
F: 907-225-1513

For the availability of licensed positions available in the engineering department please contact the Licensed Dispatcher for additional hiring information.

Gene Christian, Licensed Dispatcher
Alaska Marine Highway System
7559 North Tongass Highway
Ketchikan, Alaska 99901
P: 907-228-7273
F: 907-225-1513

Licensed Crew Requirements

Motor Vessels:

Third Mate
Second Mate
Chief Mate
Pilot
Master

Fast Vehicle Ferries:

FVF Mate
FVF Chief Mate
FVF Master

For the availability of un-licensed positions available in the deck department please contact:

Dan Benson, Crew Dispatcher
Alaska Marine Highway System
7559 North Tongass Highway
Ketchikan, Alaska 99901
P: 907-228-6814
F: 907-225-1513

For the availability of licensed positions available in the deck department please contact the Licensed Dispatcher for additional hiring information.

Gene Christian, Licensed Dispatcher
Alaska Marine Highway System
7559 North Tongass Highway
Ketchikan, Alaska 99901
P: 907-228-7273
F: 907-225-1513