Job Description

Overview

StanCraft Marine Construction is looking for an experienced Tugboat Captain (Welder) with strong barge operations experience to join their team in Priest River, Idaho. This position involves the safe and efficient operation of tugboats and barges, as well as hands-on welding and maintenance skills to support marine operations.

Responsibilities

  • Safely operate tugboats while pushing, pulling, towing, and maneuvering barges.
  • Maintain control of tug-and-barge configurations during loading, unloading, transit, docking, and positioning operations.
  • Make and break tow connections and properly secure barges.
  • Assist with barge positioning at docks, work sites, and other designated locations.
  • Conduct pre-operation inspections of vessels, barges, towing equipment, lines, and associated gear.
  • Monitor barge stability, lines, connections, equipment, weather, water conditions, and overall operating conditions.
  • Coordinate with crew members and shore personnel during barge movements and other marine operations.
  • Maintain required vessel logs and operational documentation and ensure work is performed safely and according to applicable regulations and company procedures.
  • Perform welding, cutting, fabrication, and repair work on barges, tugboats, equipment, and related structures.
  • Repair and maintain barge components, deck equipment, structural members, railings, brackets, and other marine infrastructure.
  • Assist with maintenance and troubleshooting of tugboats, engines, hydraulics, pumps, and other marine equipment.
  • Identify and address structural or mechanical issues before they become safety or operational concerns.
  • Keep vessels, barges, equipment, and work areas clean, organized, and safe.

Requirements

  • High school diploma or equivalent.
  • Previous experience operating a tugboat or similar commercial vessel.
  • Experience with marine welding, fabrication, and repair.
  • Experience with diesel engines, hydraulics, pumps, and other marine equipment.
  • Familiarity with inland waterways and local operating conditions.
  • Additional welding certifications or marine-related credentials are preferred.
  • Strong understanding of marine safety, vessel operations, and maintenance.
  • Strong judgment and ability to make sound operational decisions.
  • Ability to troubleshoot problems and work independently.
  • Ability to work safely in a physically demanding environment.
  • Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.
  • Ability to pass required background, drug, or physical examinations.
  • Ability to access and navigate construction and marine work areas in a variety of weather conditions.
  • Ability to travel to multiple locations and job sites.
  • Ability to lift up to 50 pounds at times.
  • Ability to stand, crouch, kneel, climb, lift, and remain physically active throughout the workday.

Benefits

  • 401k
  • Health Insurance
  • Dental
  • PTO
  • Vision

Benefits

401k
Health Insurance
Dental
PTO
Vision

How this job compares in Hayden, ID

Pay in context

This employer didn't publish a rate. For reference, welding jobs across Idaho currently run a median of $27/hr in our index, with the middle half of them falling between $23–$35/hr across 33 postings with published pay. That median is a reasonable floor to anchor on when a recruiter asks what you're looking for.

The local market in Hayden, ID

Hayden, ID is a small market in our index: 2 other active welding openings alongside this one, from 2 employers. Across Idaho as a whole we're tracking 47 other active welding openings from 40 employers. With this few local postings, most welders here end up either commuting or looking at travel work. Browse welding jobs across Idaho.

The most active employers in Idaho at the moment, by number of open welding reqs, are MasTec Industrial, a MasTec Company (2), Phoenix Industrial, Inc., a MasTec Company (2), and Jobot (2). Volume like that usually means either a genuine expansion or a staffing agency working several client sites — worth knowing which before you apply.

Similar openings near Hayden, ID

Pay figures are medians computed from live postings in the Welding Pros index, not from survey data, and they move as employers post. Tugboat Captain (Welder) figures were last recalculated when this page was built.