temporary work, corps of engineers, river - KNOE 8 News; KNOE-TV; KNOE.com |

VICKSBURG, Ms., (KNOE 8 News) - The Corps. of Engineers say that some temporary jobs may be coming available in December.

The current revetment season will extend through February 2013 and include a larger than normal program that include critical repairs to sites damaged as a result of the 2011 historic flood. Due to this longer than normal season, there is a possibility of additional job openings for temporary positions, beginning December 2012.  Available positions will include deck hands, revetment workers (laborers), engineer equipment operators, food service workers, cooks, tying tool repairers and marine carpenters. These positions are temporary and could last from two weeks to six months.  Mat sinking is not an 8 to 5 job, but rather, seasonal work where employees live and dine on the quarter boats that tie off to the bank near the work area. These men and women work in shifts and perform one of the most important jobs in the Corps of Engineers river stabilization program.  The pay scale will range from $10.59 to $25.62 per hour and the announcements can be found on USAJOBS.gov.

More information regarding vacancies can be gotten from the Corps. by contacting Franklin Price, Human Resources Specialist, 601-631-5877 or franklin.d.price@usace.army.mil.

The Vicksburg District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Mat Sinking Unit (MSU) is currently working on the Mississippi River near Mayersville, Mississippi on river mile 495. Thus far this season the MSU has placed 167,391 squares or approximately 384 acres of articulated concrete mats on the banks of the Mississippi River. During this longer, six months, revetment season the goal is to place 442,786 squares covering approximately 1,018 acres. The next location for the MSU is mile 453 near Milliken, Louisiana.

The MSU is the only one of its kind in the world and performs one of the most important jobs in the Corps' river stabilization program. The MSU consists of the Motor Vessel Benyaurd with the quarter boats, the Motor Vessel William James with the mat sinking plant and the Motor Vessel Harrison which all work together to distribute articulated concrete mat squares on the banks of waterways. These concrete mats assist with the prevention of erosion and to protect submerged river banks. The scope of work encompasses three Corps' districts, seven states, and multiple watersheds, and utilizes the latest technology in river engineering and operations.