Home / Federal careers / WG-5786
Boat Operator
WG/WS Boat Operator. Operates self-propelled or non-self-propelled craft for transporting personnel, equipment, supplies; performs deck and engineering duties; navigation, mooring, line handling. Common in USACE, NOAA, U.S. Fish & Wildlife, Bureau of Reclamation, DoD installations.
What WG-5786 pays
Federal Wage System pay is set by local prevailing wage surveys, so it moves with the wage area rather than a national table.
Wage Grade rates are published per wage area rather than nationally, so the number that matters is the one for the installation you are applying to.
Source: DoD Civilian Personnel Advisory Service wage schedules.
Qualification requirements
OPM's standard for WG-5786, as written.
The qualification standard for this series is not loaded yet.
What this means if you served
- Write the duties, not the billet. OPM credits military experience on the work performed, and does not use rank or pay to judge specialized experience.
- Put the training and certifications you earned in service on the page. They count here.
- Claim your veterans preference on the application. It is not applied for you.
- No positive education requirement here, so qualifying experience can stand in for the education.
How to qualify for WG-5786
1Review Trade/Craft Requirements
WG positions require demonstrated skill in a specific trade or craft. Review the job announcement for required certifications, licenses, and hands-on experience.
2Document Your Experience
WG positions are experience-based, not grade-based. Document your years of hands-on trade experience, apprenticeships completed, and journeyman status if applicable.
3Gather Credentials
Collect your DD-214, trade certifications (welding, electrical, HVAC, etc.), apprenticeship completion certificates, and any specialized licenses required for your trade.
4Build Your Federal Resume
Two pages, the same USAJOBS limit that has applied since 27 September 2025. Lead with hands-on trade experience: the tools and equipment you ran, safety training, the projects you finished, and hours worked per week.
5Apply on USAJOBS
Search for WG positions in your trade specialty, carefully answer assessment questions about your skill level and experience, and submit before the closing date.
Military jobs that map to this series
Coast Guard Diver
Boat Operator series fits DVs with extensive small boat coxswain hours from Coast Guard cutter and station operations. Direct fit at federal waterfront facilities.
Skills that carry over: Small boat operations, Navigation, Maritime safety, Crew coordination, Federal regulatory compliance.
Usually opens at: WG-7, WG-8, WG-9.
Watercraft Operator
88Ks map directly to WG-5786 Boat Operator. Crew boat, push boat, and small craft operations at USACE, NOAA, U.S. Fish & Wildlife, and Bureau of Reclamation are the primary employers. The MMC plus military sea time is the unlock for higher grade levels.
Skills that carry over: Vessel operation, Watch standing, Cargo handling, MMC credentialing, Navigation.
Usually opens at: WG-5, WG-7, WG-9.
Special Warfare Boat Operator (SWCC)
GS-5786 Small Craft Operator is the closest direct federal match. SWCC craft command and navigation translate without friction to agencies operating patrol, survey, and support vessels.
Skills that carry over: Small-craft operation, Navigation and seamanship, Vessel readiness, Crew supervision.
Usually opens at: GS-5, GS-7, GS-9.
Your record can qualify you even when your code is not on this list. The crosswalk is a starting point, not the gate.
Ready to apply for WG-5786?
A rater matches your record against the announcement's specialized experience statement, inside two pages. BMR writes that shape from your own experience: competency headers, real scope, hours per week, and the supervisor detail the rater checks.