Engineering Equipment Operator.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS); Austwell (TX); On-site; USD 28,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in Austwell, TX seeks an Engineering Equipment Operator to support construction, habitat management, and maintenance projects. The role requires operating a range of heavy equipment, performing preventive maintenance, and ensuring safe, efficient work under minimal supervision.

You will drive and maintain equipment, follow environmental and safety rules, and collaborate with Refuge staff on land management and repair tasks. A Class A CDL is required.

Qualifications

• Ability to perform heavy equipment operation with minimal supervision.
• Experience with motor vehicle operation and safety protocols.
• Ability to read and interpret work orders and technical instructions.
• Strong work practices and reliable performance.
• Excellent safety and compliance mindset.

Responsibilities

• Operate heavy equipment such as excavators, bulldozers, graders, skid steers, loaders, dump trucks, and herbicide sprayers for projects.
• Transport oversized and heavy-haul equipment and materials following safety requirements.
• Maintain and repair equipment (heavy, vehicles, generators, small engines) by diagnosing and replacing parts.
• Perform building and facility maintenance including electrical, plumbing, carpentry, roofing, welding, and HVAC.
• Plan and complete land management, construction, maintenance, and repair projects with minimal supervision.
• Protect natural resources by complying with environmental rules and minimizing wildlife habitat impact.
• Train and mentor employees and volunteers; enforce safe practices and proper PPE use.
• Maintain maintenance logs and data in approved electronic systems.

Skills

Operator proficiency

Motor vehicle operation

Drive safely

Work practices

Interpret instructions

Safety compliance

Reliability

Tools

CDL Class A

Job description

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.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• Must provide proof of U.S. citizenship.
• Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Direct Deposit participation required.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check.
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated.
• Must have and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
• Pre-employment and random drug testing are required. You will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test is received.
• A physical examination will be required, or a statement regarding physical ability will need to be completed. You must maintain physical fitness standards throughout employment.
• You are required to wear a uniform and comply with the uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
• You are required to complete training, obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority.

Probationary Period

This probationary period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government;
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated.

Upon completion of your probationary your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-11/16/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

To qualify for this position, you must have sufficient knowledge and ability in the following job-related factors:

• Ability to do the work of an Engineering Equipment Operator without more than normal Supervison (SCREEN OUT)
• Operation of Motor Vehicles.
• Ability to Drive Safely (Motor Vehicles)
• Work Practices (includes keeping things neat, clan and in order)
• Ability To Interpret Instructions, Specification, etc. (related to mobile equipment operation)
• Ability to Operate Safely (Non-Motor Vehicle)
• Reliability and Dependability as an Engineering Equipment Operator

If your knowledge and ability in the SCREEN OUT factor above is not sufficient, you will receive no further consideration.

In preparing your application, describe in detail the experience and training which you have had that specifically prepared you for this job and to perform the duties described for this job. Experience should be clearly described and documented in your resume. Your resume must support your response to the assessment questionnaire, and if it does not, your application will be marked as not eligible. The qualifications reviewer will not assume performance of such duties by Job Titles alone. Address your knowledge, skills and/or abilities in the areas shown in the job-related factors.

You must meet at least 2 points on the screen-out element(s) and obtain an average of at least 2 points on all of the job elements to be considered qualified for this position.

Volunteer Experience:

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

There is no substitution of education for experience for Federal Wage System (FWS) positions.

Additional information

Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.

Related Non-Federal experience or related experience as retired members of the uniformed services may be credited towards computing entitlement to leave accrual, at managerial discretion, providing that experience meets certain criteria. This provision allows new employees to earn annual leave at a higher rate than would otherwise be allowed. (5 Code of Federal Regulations, 630).

Physical Demands

Very strenuous heavy physical effort is required in the operation and frequent adjustment of large pieces of equipment and attachments, often under adverse operating conditions. Location of the controls and attachments frequently requires work in awkward or strained positions. Additional physical requirements may be required due to facility maintenance assignments and tasks regarding ladders, confined spaces, lifting, stooping, bending, twisting, etc. Considerable energy is needed working in small, confined spaces or elevated areas, and operating equipment over rough surfaces. Work normally requires extensive standing, walking, kneeling and bending. Lifts, carries and sets up, parts, equipment and objects or loads up to 50 pounds, unassisted, and up to 100 pounds with assistance

Working Conditions

Work is accomplished both in an office setting (5%) and outdoors (95%). Due to operations of large and complicated equipment, often in rough terrain, the operator is exposed to injury resulting from equipment overturning, and is subject to noise, vibration, dust, fumes, grease, dirt, and moving parts of equipment and machinery. Work performed outside is in a variety of settings where steep terrain, extremely uneven, rocky and slippery footing is normal. Temperature extremes are common.

Employee is regularly exposed to the possibility of shock, cuts, scrapes, and bruises, falls, falling material, or injury from equipment associated with power equipment or hazardous materials. Work demands conformance to safety requirements including the use of a variety of personal protective equipment such as: protective clothing, hardhats, hearing protection, safety glasses, goggles, gloves, steel toe heavy leather boots, respirator, and other personal protective items.

Serious injury may result from getting caught in operating equipment, or from collisions with automobiles when operating on or near public roads.

Current surplus and current or former displaced Federal individuals who have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. Well qualified means that the applicant meets the following: OPM qualification standards for the position; all selective placement factors, where applicable; special qualifying conditions that OPM has approved for the position, where applicable; is physically qualified with reasonable accommodation, where appropriate to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and is rated by the organization at least at the well qualified level.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.