Military Sealift Command (MSC), based in Norfolk, VA, operates a fleet of approximately 110 cargo, resupply, special mission and other ships that sustain our nation’s warfighting forces. It also delivers specialized maritime services in support of national security objectives in peace and war. MSC employs approximately 5,800 civilian employees who work aboard ships, another 1,200 civilian employees who work in offices ashore, and 300 active-duty military personnel both ashore and aboard ships.

Chief Engineer Clarence E. Vick is a civilian mariner who normally works aboard ships at sea. He also provides guidance to the MSC on a wide range of engineering and personnel matters. He’s a native of Rocky Mount, NC, and enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard after graduating high school. After being honorably discharged in 1981, he worked for the Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) before joining MSC. He attended various engineering schools and technical courses as he advanced his knowledge of engineering and his professional credentials.

At MSC he’s earned a steady line of promotions leading to his 2007 promotion to chief engineer, the most senior engineering officer on a ship. Vick also holds a U.S. Coast Guard License, Chief Engineer of Vessels of Any Horsepower, and has received numerous awards. He’s been serving as port chief engineer at MSC headquarters, advising other senior officials about ship engineering matters and managing the work assignments of more than 40 other ships’ chief engineers. He currently resides with his wife and family in North Carolina.

 

STEM Workforce Diversity

How is diversity part of Military Sealift Command’s (MSC) culture?

 

Vick

Diversity is a major part of MSC’s culture, both in our ashore and afloat workforce. In fact, our afloat workforce is so diverse that, overall, we’re a majority-minority civilian employer. African-American and Asian-Pacific Islander employees together constitute a majority of our civilian workforce.

As a federal employer MSC’s diversity policies start with the commitment of the president via his executive order, Establishing a Coordinated Government-Wide Initiative to Promote Diversity and Inclusion in the Federal Workforce. Support for that flows from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management and the Department of Defense through every level of command down to MSC.

Our commitment to diversity is displayed via regular workforce training, special emphasis and outreach events, surveys and focus groups and in evaluation criteria for managers and executives. At all levels of the DoD, we recognize the need for innovation to remain ahead of our potential adversaries and diversity in all of its forms - thought, gender, ethnicity, race and other measures - can unleash that innovation.

 

STEM Workforce Diversity

How does MSC recruit and attract a diverse workforce?

 

Vick

Ashore, we employ civilian employees in numerous professions; however, our STEM employees traditionally work in our engineering and IT departments. Though we have more than 200 STEM employees on staff, we still need more than 300. We need mechanical, electrical, marine and other equipment/hardware-type engineers. We also need software, network and systems engineers. Afloat, our STEM employees are ship engineering officers and deck officers. We have more than 600 positions for each of those fields.

Many of our recruitment efforts for engineering jobs ashore are nationwide, although we also target universities with strong programs in marine, naval or ocean engineering, as well as IT. In addition to hiring graduates full-time, we also hire students part-time, hoping that will lead to full-time employment upon graduation.

MSC is hiring now as we move more than 500 jobs from Washington, DC to Norfolk, VA, and expect the majority of the people in those positions to choose not to relocate. Part of that effort includes strengthening our relationship with area colleges, noting the Hampton Roads area is home to several universities, including two Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Most of our office jobs are in Norfolk, VA, although there are also periodic opportunities in places as varied as San Diego, CA, Singapore, Guam, Bahrain and Italy.

Our recruitment efforts for engineering and deck officers aboard our ships focuses traditionally on the Federal U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY, and the state maritime academies in Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Texas, Michigan and California.

MSC hosts about 40 MSC-branded recruiting events each year, focused in areas we believe offer a high level of diversity. We also attend a number of military and veteran career fairs, and advertise in several printed and electronic publications to get the word out about career opportunities within MSC. Plus, we participate in targeted conferences and symposiums to highlight the opportunities we have for women in non-traditional career fields such as the maritime industry.

 

STEM Workforce Diversity

What traits, qualities and skills do you seek in a new hire?

 

Vick

MSC seeks quality individuals who want to work aboard ships, or work ashore supporting ships that back our deployed armed forces. We seek people who want to contribute to our national security. We seek intelligent people who can communicate well, collaborate effectively, work in a team environment, think through a problem, and identify and implement a solution. Jobs on ships, in particular, are very hands-on. We seek people willing to work hard and maybe get a little dirty from time to time.

 

STEM Workforce Diversity

What’s the best piece of advice you can offer to help others achieve their professional goals?

 

Vick

First, decide on a goal. Research what it’ll take to accomplish it. Then set mini-goals to accomplish on your way to the final goal. Be positive. Apply for a job you want and do your best to prepare for the interview, even if you think the job is a long shot. Prepare yourself to take advantage of opportunities that present themselves. Volunteer for special projects. Seek opportunities to showcase your ability and talent. Nothing is guaranteed, but you can make your own luck.

 

STEM Workforce Diversity

How would you describe MSC’s culture? Why is it a great place to work?

 

Vick

Working at MSC is an amazing experience that can take you places you have never imagined. Working on board a ship, or working ashore to support a ship, gives you exposure to a variety of cultures and experiences that will forever change the things you value about working with a team. We take care of each other. We promote from within. With MSC, you truly have the ability to take command of your career. Year after year, surveys tell us our employees think working here is a very good match for their talent and interests. They feel like they’re doing something important here. Sometimes our employees read about what we do in the local, national and even international media. They understand how what they do contributes to the overall mission of the U.S. Navy and national security.

 

STEM Workforce Diversity

What types of jobs are you seeking to fill? Where can our readers view job opportunities at MSC and apply online? And how can they connect with MSC on social media?

 

Vick

In the STEM area we’re looking to hire mechanical, electrical, marine and other types of hardware or equipment engineers, as well as software, network and systems engineers. We also need people to work as crew members aboard ships in the deck, engine, supply (culinary and logistics), communications and medical departments. Those positions aboard ships require merchant marine credentials issued by the U.S. Coast Guard. Shipboard positions range from entry-level to licensed officers, and open and close throughout the year.

Visit sealiftcommand.com/now-hiring for current open positions. There, you can also find afloat mariner vacancies, but the best place to learn about ashore vacancies is usajobs.gov. USAJOBS connects job seekers with federal employment opportunities across the U.S. and around the world.

MSC’s website www.msc.navy.mil also has command specific links, photos and information about the many exciting careers currently under recruitment for both ashore and shipboard.

MSC’s robust social media program also helps us develop relationships with prospective employees.