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Specialist Advisor III - Maritime Maintenance Specialist

  • Panama City, Panama

Specialist Advisor III - Maritime Maintenance Specialist

Location: Panama City, Panama
Remote Work: No
Clearance: MPRT  
Work Status: Full-Time
Travel Requirements: Travel throughout Panama and some international destinations are required.

Applications submitted by 08/21/2026 will receive full consideration. Candidates applying after this date may still be reviewed and will remain in our talent pipeline for future opportunities.

Position Description

ATSG is presently identifying candidates for a Specialist Advisor III - Maritime Maintenance Specialist. The Specialist Advisor III - Maritime Maintenance Specialist will join the ATSG team to enhance our partnership with the U.S. Department of State (DOS) Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs' (INL) Western Hemisphere Program (WHP) – Panama task order. The WHP is a large and sophisticated multilateral security effort, provides funding for the USG to assist the governments of the WHP countries with police professionalization, justice sector reform, counter narcotics efforts, border security management, crime and violence prevention, and anti-corruption efforts. Hours for this full-time position will be Monday through Friday, 40 hours per week.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Contributes to the whole-of-government strategy to strengthen the institutional capacity of Panama's open-ocean, coastal patrol, interceptor, and riverine forces by enhancing vessel and equipment maintenance capabilities in support of maritime law enforcement and the disruption of transnational criminal organizations in the maritime domain;  
  • Maintains effective coordination and communication with INL, U.S. Government agencies, Government of Panama (GOP) counterparts, regional partners, and international stakeholders to support maintenance initiatives, strengthen institutional capacity, and advance Panama's development as a regional maintenance and training hub;
  • Participates in bilateral and interagency working groups related to maritime and riverine maintenance and logistics programs in Panama;  
  • Exercises expert judgment in advising the Maritime Security Program Manager (MSPM), Maritime Security Project Advisor (MSPA), and other INL program managers on the development, implementation, and evaluation of maritime maintenance and logistics initiatives;  
  • Assists INL in the establishment of an integrated logistics and preventative periodic maintenance and inventory program that is essential to the Central American Regional Security Initiative (CARSI) and the operational capabilities of Panama;
  • Closely assists and advises INL and other USG entities regarding the enhancement of Panama’s Marine Maintenance Training Center (MMTC), repair, overhaul, and logistics capabilities for maritime, maritime surveillance, coastal, and riverine interdiction assets; 
  • Supports regional engagement efforts aimed at establishing Panama as a regional maintenance and training hub for U.S.-provided maritime systems, assets, specialized equipment, and interoperable maintenance capabilities; 
  • Serves as INL’s subject matter expert (SME) on marine maintenance, logistics, life-cycle sustainment, 3M (maintenance, repair, and modernization/management systems), Preventive and Periodic Maintenance (PPM), inventory management, and supply chain operations, advising INL, U.S. Government partners, Panama’s Maritime Maintenance, Naval Command, Special Boat Unit (UBE), and Joint Maritime Force (JMF) maintenance directorates on the design, development, and implementation of maintenance, repair, overhaul, and sustainment programs to improve asset readiness and operational availability, including but not limited to PPM schedules, refurbishment and overhaul of existing assets, spare parts and inventory management, maintenance facility improvements, and modernization of maintenance infrastructure and outpost stations; 
  • Assists INL in obtaining GOP requests and commitments related to maintenance support, sustainment of U.S. provided commodities associated and related to the implementation of maintenance programs; 
  • Advises INL on the best use of limited INL and interagency funds to maximize the operational readiness and maintenance capabilities of Panama's maritime assets across all three principal law enforcement institutions: SENAN, SENAFRONT, PNP; 
  • Serves as a liaison for maintenance and sustainment training initiatives, including Mobile Training Team (MTT) engagements to facilitate the identification, development, and availability of appropriate technical training opportunities aligned with marine engineering, vessel maintenance, logistics, and life-cycle sustainment requirements, including but not limited to programs provided through the U.S. Colombia Action Plan (USCAP), U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Department of War (DoW), private institutions, and supports the inclusion of Panamanian maintenance personnel in advanced technical maintenance training programs in the United States and partner nations;  
  • Develops and maintains marine maintenance doctrine, technical manuals, standard operating procedures, preventive maintenance schedules, troubleshooting guides, performance reports, and comprehensive project documentation for Panama's Joint Maritime Force Maintenance Directorates, including scopes of work, implementation timelines, resource requirements, success metrics, risk assessments, lessons learned, and other supporting documentation necessary to support program planning, execution, institutionalization, knowledge retention, and long-term sustainability in support of INL and U.S. security cooperation objectives; 
  • May be tasked to provide technical maintenance assistance to other U.S. agencies supporting Panama, including asset condition assessments, maintenance tracking systems, and sustainment planning; 
  • Assists in drafting requests for proposals (RFPs) and supporting documentation for grants, cooperative agreements, and contractor-supported maintenance initiatives;
  • Monitors and evaluates maintenance program performance against established bureau, mission, and office objectives; identifies risks, gaps, and opportunities for improvement; and recommends corrective actions to ensure program effectiveness and alignment with U.S. strategic priorities; 
  • Supports INL end-use monitoring (EUM) responsibilities for U.S. Government-provided commodities and services by assessing maintenance status, asset condition, and sustainment compliance, and by contributing to annual EUM reporting requirements;
  • Prepares weekly, monthly, quarterly, annual, and ad hoc reports detailing program activities, progress toward objectives, performance metrics, asset readiness rates, milestones achieved, maintenance statistics, training activities, project highlights, and recommendations for advancing U.S. and mission objectives; and  
  • Keeps the INL Director, Deputy Director, MSPM, MSPA, and other designated U.S. personnel informed on matters related to the Maritime Maintenance Specialist's activities, program status, and operational developments. 
  • Performs other related duties as assigned, in support of INL maritime security, maintenance, logistics, and sustainment objectives. 
  • This position requires a work plan.
  • The position is located in Panama City, Panama.
  • Travel throughout Panama and some international destinations are required. 

Minimum Qualifications

  • US Citizen
  • NFATC level 3/3 Spanish, NFATC level 3/3 English;
  • This position requires an MRPT level security clearance.
  • Bachelor’s or associate degree in engineering, technical writing, project management, logistics management, public administration, or related field, and ten (10) years of experience in logistics lifecycle sustainment, maintenance material management (3M), quality assurance, or related field of specialty;
  • Five (5) Experience in Maintenance Quality Assurance Management, Periodic Maintenance Planning/Scheduling, Hazardous Material Management, Maintenance Process Enhancement/Standardization, Outboard Motor Engines, Inboard Diesel Engines, and Small Boat Operations;
  • Two (2) years of demonstrated experience in technical report writing, requirements documentation development, preparation of justification packages for senior leadership at government agencies, international organizations, military commands, or multi-national corporations, and creating technical manuals, standard operating procedures, maintenance documentation, and training materials for maritime maintenance or other technical operations;
  • Proven ability to develop comprehensive project documentation including scopes of work, implementation plans, budget justifications, and performance metrics for complex maintenance programs;
  • Two (2) years of specialized experience in capacity building, institutional development, or advising foreign security forces on maintenance and logistics operations;
  • Two (2) years of military/U.S. interagency assignments overseas; or relevant private company experience in international maritime maintenance, logistics, or technical program management operations;
  • Experience briefing in Spanish and English and presenting technical information to diverse audiences including, but not limited to, U.S. Government officials, non-U.S. Government counterparts, international organizations, military personnel, non-governmental organizations, or private sector partners;  
  • Demonstrated skill in oral and written communication in both Spanish and English including writing reports, assessments, technical documentation, justifications, and general correspondence with clarity, precision, and professionalism.
  • Must be physically fit enough to travel into remote locations in undeveloped vehicles such as dugout canoes or over rough waves in basic motorboats, and to conduct site assessments at maintenance facilities and maritime bases;
  • Strong analytical and organizational skills with the ability to synthesize complex technical information into clear, actionable documentation for varied audiences;
  • Demonstrated ability to work with limited supervision and exercise independent judgment in complex technical and programmatic matters; and;
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and experience with project management tools and documentation systems.  

About ATSG

ATSG Corporation is a Veterans Affairs (VA) CVE-Certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) based in Fairfax, VA with branch offices throughout Central America. Since 2004, ATSG has successfully deployed its experience and expertise to support the most challenging and complex projects for various Federal agencies. Our robust portfolio includes cutting-edge technical solutions and professional support in Program Management, Consulting, Operations and Planning Support, Training and Advisory Services, and IT and Knowledge Management. We take pride in our proven dedication to providing expert assistance to our government partners. ATSG provides a variety of services within the Intelligence Community and is experienced in areas such as Mobility, Enterprise Architecture, Data Processing, Law Enforcement Mission Support, and Acquisition Support. Our products may be diverse, but the results are one and the same—on schedule, on budget, and completed with superior quality. As an organization, we are consistently expanding our global footprint in the contracting community. We work hard to honor our commitment to our clients while ensuring our employees feel secure and empowered in their work. We take excellent care of our team, so they may have the freedom and confidence to focus on their missions and provide nothing but the best output on the work site and at home.
 
ATSG Corporation is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer, our applicants and employees are protected from discrimination. Visit https://www.eeoc.gov/ for more information. Equal access to programs, services and employment is available to all persons. Those applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application and/or interview process should notify a representative of the Human Resources Department. To comply with Federal law, ATSG Corporation participates in E-Verify. Successful candidates must pass the E-Verify process after hire.
 
This contractor and subcontractor shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals on the basis of protected veteran status or disability and require affirmative action by covered prime contractors and subcontractors to employ and advance in employment qualified protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. To comply with Federal law, ATSG Corporation participates in E-Verify. Successful candidates must pass the E-Verify process after hire.

We respectfully request not to be contacted by recruiters and/or staffing agencies.
 

Application Requirements

  • All applications must be submitted in .pdf, .doc, or .docx format.
  • Applications and resumes for this position are only accepted via electronic submission through ATSG Corporation’s Consolidated Applicant Tracking System (CATS).
  • Mailed, emailed, faxed, or hand-delivered applications and resumes will not be accepted.
  • The decision to interview an applicant is based solely on the information received for this position from their electronic application and/or resume.