Engineering Equipment Operator

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Austwell (TX); On-site; USD 46,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Austwell, Texas seeks an Engineering Equipment Operator, WG-5716-10, to support construction, maintenance, and habitat management at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge.

You will operate heavy equipment, transport loads, diagnose and repair machinery, perform electrical, plumbing, and carpentry tasks, plan projects with staff, protect natural resources, and mentor employees and volunteers while recording maintenance data.

Responsibilities

• Operate heavy equipment such as excavators, bulldozers, graders, skid steers, loaders, and dump trucks.
• Transport oversized and heavy-haul equipment and materials following safety rules.
• Maintain and repair equipment, diagnose malfunctions, and perform preventive maintenance.
• Perform building and facility maintenance across electrical, plumbing, carpentry, roofing, and HVAC.
• Plan land management, construction, and repair projects with minimal supervision.
• Train and mentor employees and volunteers to ensure safe work practices.
• Maintain logs and enter data into approved systems.

Job description

This listing is a summary.

Open: October 30, 2026 — Closes: November 16, 2026

Summary

This position is an Engineering Equipment Operator, WG-5716-10, with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior, stationed at the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in Austwell, Texas (Region 2). Salary Range Information (Per Annum): $33.57 - $39.25 per hour *First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the step 1 rate.

Major Duties

Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following: Operate heavy equipment, such as excavators, bulldozers, graders, skid steers, loaders, dump trucks, specialized tracked equipment, agricultural tractors with implements, and herbicide spraying equipment, to support construction, maintenance, and habitat management projects. Transport oversized and heavy-haul equipment and materials in accordance with established safety requirements. Maintain and repair a variety of equipment, such as heavy equipment, specialized tracked equipment, vehicles, boats, generators, and small engines, by diagnosing malfunctions, replacing defective parts, and performing preventive maintenance. Perform building and facility maintenance by troubleshooting and repairing electrical, plumbing, carpentry, roofing, masonry, welding, and heating and cooling systems. In coordination with Refuge staff, plan and complete land management, construction, maintenance, and repair projects with minimal supervision. Protect natural resources by following environmental compliance requirements and minimizing impacts to wildlife habitat during project activities. Train and mentor employees and volunteers while ensuring safe work practices and proper use of tools, equipment, and protective gear. Maintain accurate maintenance, equipment, and work records by updating logs and entering data into approved electronic systems.