Portsmouth Naval Shipyard looking to fill 800 new jobs in 2018

Courtesy / Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery expects to add as many as 800 jobs in fiscal year 2018, which would bring the shipyard's civilian workforce to 6,100.

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By Staff

The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard hopes a job fair on Tuesday will help fill 160 positions created by an increasing workload that is expected to add as many as 800 jobs in fiscal year 2018, which would bring the shipyard’s civilian workforce to 6,100.

The Kittery shipyard is holding the job fair at the Regatta Conference Center in Eliot from noon to 8 p.m. to help fill the 160 immediate positions, Foster’s Daily Democrat reported.

Positions available include chemists, electrical workers, engineering, insulation, mechanics, pipefitting, radiological workers, sheet metal workers and other positions. Those attending the job fair should bring their resume, professional certificates, academic transcripts and for former members of the military, DD-214s.

Spokesman Jeremy Lambert said a large number of submarines are due at the shipyard for scheduled repairs and upgrades, increasing the workload.

The shipyard is seeking candidates with experience working in industrial settings, such as commercial shipbuilding, commercial marine vessel overhaul and repair, power plant construction commercial building construction or bridge construction. Lambert said some applicants could be eligible for expedited hiring through Direct Hiring Authority, which allows the human resource office to begin an immediate review of the candidate.

The submarine maintenance schedule at the shipyard and other factors that will increase the workload has given the shipyard approval to add 800 employees to its workforce of 5,300, he added.

Lambert told Foster’s that about 650 entry-level trades and engineering positions will be filled through efforts such as Engineering Pathways, Worker Skills Progression and trades apprenticeship programs, which are advertised on the USAJOBS.gov website.

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