Careers

Dewees is a private, three-mile-long oceanfront island located between Capers Island and the Isle of Palms. Access to the Island is available via ferry.

Also a nature preserve, the Island has only 150 homesites, no paved roads, and defined building codes that demand a small environmental footprint. The community consists of environmentally conscious people who choose to live and work on this sensitive barrier island.

As the workforce on Dewees is limited, the team strives toward upholding a vibrant, fun, and synergistic work culture. Each team member is prepared to roll up their sleeves and dig in to help problem-solve and accomplish tasks.
 
If you are interested in working in a truly beautiful and unique environment, take a look at the job openings below. 
 
Click here to apply for open positions 

Full Time Ferry Captain

The Dewees Island POA is currently seeking a Captain. Candidates must be reliable, self-motivated, and customer service-focused.

Summary

Provides prompt and reliable boat transportation to and from Dewees Island for property owners and their guests, renters, prospects, clients, employees and contractors. Projects a friendly, courteous and well-groomed image representing the Dewees Island POA. Assures the boat is in clean, safe and proper operating condition. The schedule for this position will be a weekly rotation from morning to evening. The week of mornings is Wednesday - Sunday, and evenings is Thursday - Sunday

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned. Every effort has been made to identify the essential duties and responsibilities of this position. However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or is an essential function of the position.
 
  1. Pilot ferry boat safety, keeping alert of traffic, and transport property owners and their guests, renters, prospects, clients and employees to and from the island in accordance with the posted schedule. Follow US Coast Guard regulations when crossing waters and navigating boat and keep updated on Coast Guard regulations and radio communications.
  2. Assist in keeping the boats in good working order. Complete daily check of engine systems and report any concerns/problems to island manager. Keep all necessary inspections current as required and maintain all mandatory equipment, licenses, and other pertinent information on board at all times.
  3. Maintain ship’s log to include:
    • Date, time of trips and the number of individuals transported.
    • Service records of the boat.
    • Fueling records
    • Other miscellaneous pertinent information
  4. Always obey all applicable state and federal marine regulations.
  5. Provide proper training to deckhands for all operations of the boat including but not limited to man overboard procedures, emergency fuel shutoffs, properly handling of lines, location of flotation devices, driving and docking of the boat, etc.
  6. Provide a security presence to ensure that unauthorized passengers do not get to Dewees Island. Notify the island manager’s office if there is any question regarding a passenger’s authorization. Monitor the boat dock on the Dewees Island side to ensure all docked boats have proper authorization.
  7. Oversee the deckhand to ensure that the boat is kept in a clean, orderly and secure manner.
The ferry is our life-line to and from Dewees. Your attention to the above duties is greatly appreciated. By the nature of the fact that we have a small, limited workforce here on Dewees Island, it is important that every member of the team be flexible and willing to perform duties and responsibilities not strictly in the scope of his or her job description. These duties, as directed by management, will often involve helping other staff members in other departments. Please be aware that each team member’s efforts in this regard will be reviewed along with normal job description criteria during his or her annual performance evaluation.


Qualifications To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
  • Knowledge of procedures, practices and safety regulations pertaining to a ferryboat operation and maintenance. Ability to keep records and make reports; follow oral and written directions. Ability to establish and maintain positive and cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work at all levels, including a culturally diverse general public, with a focus on quality service. Ability to administer CPR and/or first aid as needed, provide water rescue and operate fire equipment in the event of a fire and respond to emergencies. Ability to operate the gears of ferryboats and life-saving devices. Requires ability to understand and carry out oral commands and written instructions involving terms commonly used in vessel communication. Ability to perform semi-skilled maintenance and repairs on a vessel. Ability to swim and carry out life saving actions during emergencies.
  • Education and/or Experience High School Diploma or equivalent At least one year of vessel experience required, including handling and splicing of sheets, lines, tackle and mooring equipment. Extensive knowledge of coast guard regulations and boating safety required. Any combination of related education and/or related experience will be considered.
  • Certificates, Licenses, Registrations Possession of valid CPR and first aid cards is essential. Possession of a Captain’s license with the United States Coast Guard that is commensurate with the size of the ferry. Possession of a valid current drivers license is essential for all Dewees Island employees.
  • Mathematical Skills Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure.
  • Reasoning Ability Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out simple one- or two-step instructions. Ability to deal with standardized situations with only occasional or no variables.
  • Language Skills Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to Property Owners, visitors, and other employees of the organization.

Competencies To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:
  • Ethics and Values – Works with integrity and ethically, upholding the organizational values and policies of Dewees Island POA. Promotes positive public relations with clients/customers and visitors and cooperates and works together with all co-workers.
  • Diversity - Demonstrates knowledge of EEO policy. Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences. Maintains compliance with current law and policy to provide a work environment free from sexual harassment and all illegal and discriminatory behavior.
  • Attendance/Punctuality - Is consistently at work and on time. Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent. Arrives at meetings and appointments on time.
  • Cost Consciousness – Develops and implements cost saving measures; Conserves organizational resources.
  • Safety and Security - Supports, cooperates with and implements specific procedures and programs for safety, including universal precautions and safe work practices, established fire/safety/disaster plans, risk management and security, reports and or corrects unsafe working conditions, equipment repair and maintenance needs. 
Customer Service Standards
  • Communicates and interacts with members of the community to provide exceptional customer service.
  • Acknowledges homeowners and guests, greets them with a smile and positive attitude. Be courteous and polite.
  • Treat customers and coworkers with respect.
  • Maintain a neat and clean appearance; wear the proper uniform and keep it cleaned and pressed properly

Start Your Application 

Part Time Ferry Mate

Dewees Island is a small barrier island that is under a conservation easement. We take pride in the preservation of the beautiful environment and wildlife. The private island is also home to residents who share the same passion for the environment.

The Dewees Island POA is currently seeking a Ferry Mate. Candidates must be reliable, self-motivated, and customer service-focused.

Assist the Captain with providing prompt and reliable boat transportation to and from Dewees Island for property owners and their guests, renters, prospects, clients, employees and contractors. Project a friendly, courteous and well-groomed image representing the Dewees Island POA.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities. Every effort has been made to identify this position's essential duties and responsibilities. However, it does not state or imply that these are the only duties you will be required to perform. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or is an essential function of the position. Additionally, other duties may be assigned. The essential duties and responsibilities include meeting the Physical Demands set forth in more detail below, as well as the following:


Assist the Captain with the safe operation of the ferry. Assist passengers with the loading and off loading of luggage, groceries and goods to and from the floating dock. (Deckhands and captains should not lift contractor’s equipment, materials or supplies, contractors are responsible for their own lifting).

Know how to handle the lines on the ferry properly, boat Captains are responsible for this training. Maintain a neat and clean appearance. Wear the proper uniform and keep it cleaned and pressed properly. Clip aft gates on vessels whenever ferry is underway (Coast Guard Regulation.) Act as a lookout for the Captain, especially when the ferry backs away from the dock and the waterway is busy. At times, the Captain may have limited visibility. Be thoroughly familiar with the man overboard and fire procedures, be able to drive and dock the boat in the eventuality the Captain is unable to, boat Captains are responsible for this training.

Answer phones in a timely manner with a smile and positive attitude. Check voicemails at the start of each shift and return calls if necessary. Interact with all owners and guests in a friendly manner. Log in all passengers using the Ferry Access System. Do not allow any non-approved passenger access to Dewees Island. Keep an eye on passengers when vessel is underway, especially small children.

Maintains cleanliness of the vessels and ferry dock facilities; clean up all trash, dry off any wet seats, sweep the decks, clean windows, straighten newspapers and magazines, clean vinyl seats, ensure soap dispenser, paper products are stocked. monitor any other items that pertain to keeping the boat and facilities clean and presentable.

Make sure the mail is on the boat each day when delivered and notify owners (if possible) or island staff of any parcels that have been delivered. Bring over and distribute (along with the Captain) newspapers for Island subscribers.

Ensure all passengers have had time to disembark before allowing boarding passengers and contractors to enter the cabin. Participate in water rescue and fire drills.Maintain courteous and cooperative relationships with the traveling public, co-workers, property owners and guests.

The ferry is our life-line to and from Dewees. Your attention to the above duties is greatly appreciated. By the nature of the fact that we have a small, limited workforce here on Dewees Island, it is important that every member of the team be flexible and willing to perform duties and responsibilities not strictly in the scope of his or her job description. As directed by management, these duties will often involve helping other staff members in other departments. Please be aware that each team member’s efforts in this regard will be reviewed along with normal job description criteria during his or her annual performance evaluation.
Qualifications. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements below represent the required knowledge, skill, and/or ability. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.


Knowledge.

Knowledge of procedures, practices and safety regulations pertaining to a ferryboat operation and maintenance. Ability to keep records and make reports; follow oral and written directions. Ability to establish and maintain positive and cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work at all levels, including a culturally diverse general public, with a focus on quality service. Ability to administer CPR and/or first aid as needed, provide water rescue and operate fire equipment in the event of a fire and respond to emergencies under the direction of the vessel Captain. Ability to operate the gears of ferryboats and life-saving devices. Requires ability to understand and carry out oral commands and written instructions involving terms commonly used in vessel communication. Ability to perform semi-skilled maintenance and repairs on a vessel. Ability to swim and carry out life saving actions during emergencies.

Education and/or Experience.

High School Diploma or equivalent. Prefer one year of vessel experience. Any combination of related education and/or related experience will be considered.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations. Possession of valid CPR and first aid cards is essential. Possession of a valid current drivers license is essential for all Dewees Island employees.


Mathematical Skills.

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure.

Reasoning Ability.

Applying common sense understanding to carry out simple one- or two-step instructions. Ability to deal with standardized situations with only occasional or no variables.

Language Skills.

Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to Property Owners, visitors, and other employees of the organization.

Competencies.

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:


Ethics and Values

Works with integrity and ethically, upholding the organizational values and policies of Dewees Island POA. Promotes positive public relations with clients/customers and visitors and cooperates and works together with all co-workers.

Diversity

Demonstrates knowledge of EEO policy. Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences. Maintains compliance with current law and policy to provide a work environment free from sexual harassment and all illegal and discriminatory behavior.

Attendance/Punctuality

Is consistently at work and on time. Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent. Arrives at meetings and appointments on time.

Cost Consciousness

Develops and implements cost saving measures; Conserves organizational resources.

Safety and Security

Supports cooperates with and implements specific procedures and programs for safety, including universal precautions and safe work practices, established fire/safety/disaster plans, risk management and security, reports and or corrects unsafe working conditions, equipment repair and maintenance needs.

Customer Service Standards

Communicates and interacts with members of the community to provide exceptional customer service.
Acknowledges homeowners and guests and greets them with a smile and positive attitude. Be courteous and polite.
Treat customers and coworkers with respect.
Maintain a neat and clean appearance; wear the proper uniform and keep it cleaned and pressed properly



Physical Demands.

The physical demands described here represent those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Primary functions require sufficient physical ability to work in a emergency response setting. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is regularly required to stand, walk and climb stairs. The employee must regularly lift between 50 and 65 pounds and occasionally up to 100 pounds. The employee must be able to move a wheeled cart over varying weights, including up to 300 pounds, up and down inclined ramps. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus, vision to read printed materials; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone and/or radio. Must be able to swim. Must possess strength, stamina and mobility to perform heavy physical work out of doors in all weather conditions and with exposure to potentially hazardous conditions. Deckhands should not assist contractors with lifting contractor equipment, materials and supplies.


Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here represent those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee regularly works near moving mechanical parts and in areas of limited and restricted entry and exit; regularly exposed to outside weather conditions and wet and/or humid conditions; occasionally works in high, precarious places; occasionally exposed to exhaust fumes or airborne particles, extreme cold, extreme heat, and vibration; risk of electrical shock, drowning, and asphyxiation. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Must work nights, weekends, and holidays as the schedule demands.
 

START YOUR APPLICATION

Part Time Ferry Captain

Dewees Island is a small barrier island that is under a conservation easement. We take pride in the preservation of the beautiful environment and wildlife. The private island is also home to residents who share the same passion for the environment.

The Dewees Island POA is currently seeking a part-time Captain. Candidates must be reliable, self-motivated, and customer service-focused.

Summary

Provides prompt and reliable boat transportation to and from Dewees Island for property owners and their guests, renters, prospects, clients, employees and contractors. Projects a friendly, courteous and well-groomed image representing the Dewees Island POA. Assures the boat is in clean, safe and proper operating condition.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned. Every effort has been made to identify the essential duties and responsibilities of this position. However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or is an essential function of the position.

1. Pilot ferry boat safety, keeping alert of traffic, and transport property owners and their guests, renters, prospects, clients and employees to and from the island in accordance with the posted schedule. Follow US Coast Guard regulations when crossing waters and navigating boat and keep updated on Coast Guard regulations and radio communications.

2. Assist in keeping the boats in good working order. Complete daily check of engine systems and report any concerns/problems to island manager. Keep all necessary inspections current as required and maintain all mandatory equipment, licenses, and other pertinent information on board at all times.

3. Maintain ship’s log to include:
a) Date, time of trips and the number of individuals transported.
b) Service records of the boat.
c) Fueling records
d) Other miscellaneous pertinent information

4. Always obey all applicable state and federal marine regulations.

5. Provide proper training to deckhands for all operations of the boat including but not limited to man overboard procedures, emergency fuel shutoffs, properly handling of lines, location of flotation devices, driving and docking of the boat, etc.

6. Provide a security presence to ensure that unauthorized passengers do not get to Dewees Island. Notify the island manager’s office if there is any question regarding a passenger’s authorization. Monitor the boat dock on the Dewees Island side to ensure all docked boats have proper authorization.

7. Oversee the deckhand to ensure that the boat is kept in a clean, orderly and secure manner.

The ferry is our life-line to and from Dewees. Your attention to the above duties is greatly appreciated. By the nature of the fact that we have a small, limited workforce here on Dewees Island, it is important that every member of the team be flexible and willing to perform duties and responsibilities not strictly in the scope of his or her job description. These duties, as directed by management, will often involve helping other staff members in other departments. Please be aware that each team member’s efforts in this regard will be reviewed along with normal job description criteria during his or her annual performance evaluation.

Qualifications To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Knowledge of procedures, practices and safety regulations pertaining to a ferryboat operation and maintenance. Ability to keep records and make reports; follow oral and written directions. Ability to establish and maintain positive and cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work at all levels, including a culturally diverse general public, with a focus on quality service. Ability to administer CPR and/or first aid as needed, provide water rescue and operate fire equipment in the event of a fire and respond to emergencies. Ability to operate the gears of ferryboats and life-saving devices. Requires ability to understand and carry out oral commands and written instructions involving terms commonly used in vessel communication. Ability to perform semi-skilled maintenance and repairs on a vessel. Ability to swim and carry out life saving actions during emergencies.

Education and/or Experience High School Diploma or equivalent At least one year of vessel experience required, including handling and splicing of sheets, lines, tackle and mooring equipment. Extensive knowledge of coast guard regulations and boating safety required. Any combination of related education and/or related experience will be considered.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations Possession of valid CPR and first aid cards is essential. Possession of a Captain’s license with the United States Coast Guard that is commensurate with the size of the ferry. Possession of a valid current drivers license is essential for all Dewees Island employees.

Mathematical Skills Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure.

Reasoning Ability Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out simple one- or two-step instructions. Ability to deal with standardized situations with only occasional or no variables.

Language Skills Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to Property Owners, visitors, and other employees of the organization.

Competencies To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:
• Ethics and Values – Works with integrity and ethically, upholding the organizational values and policies of Dewees Island POA. Promotes positive public relations with clients/customers and visitors and cooperates and works together with all co-workers.
• Diversity - Demonstrates knowledge of EEO policy. Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences. Maintains compliance with current law and policy to provide a work environment free from sexual harassment and all illegal and discriminatory behavior.
• Attendance/Punctuality - Is consistently at work and on time. Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent. Arrives at meetings and appointments on time.
• Cost Consciousness – Develops and implements cost saving measures; Conserves organizational resources.
• Safety and Security - Supports, cooperates with and implements specific procedures and programs for safety, including universal precautions and safe work practices, established fire/safety/disaster plans, risk management and security, reports and or corrects unsafe working conditions, equipment repair and maintenance needs. .

Customer Service Standards
• Communicates and interacts with members of the community to provide exceptional customer service.

• Acknowledges homeowners and guests, greets them with a smile and positive attitude. Be courteous and polite.

• Treat customers and coworkers with respect.

• Maintain a neat and clean appearance; wear the proper uniform and keep it cleaned and pressed properly
 

START YOUR APPLICATION