Engineering Equipment Operator.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS); Sherman (TX); On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Government housing available

Uniform allowance

Job summary

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in Texas is seeking an Engineering Equipment Operator to support field maintenance activities and equipment operation across job sites.

The role involves moving heavy equipment, performing routine maintenance on vehicles, and following manuals to ensure safe, efficient operation. Candidates should demonstrate reliability, ability to interpret technical instructions, and strong work practices.

Qualifications

• Ability to perform the work of an engineering equipment operator without more than normal supervision.
• Operation of motor vehicles.
• Reliability and dependability as an engineering equipment operator.
• Ability to use and maintain tools and equipment.
• Ability to interpret instructions, specifications related to mobile equipment operation.
• Work practices including keeping things neat, clean, and in order.

Responsibilities

• Moves equipment/materials safely and effectively around job sites.
• Maintaining/repairing infrastructure (consistently completing tasks).
• Performs maintenance on motor vehicles, heavy equipment, and small equipment.
• Follows equipment manuals and maintenance instructions.
• Performs maintenance/repair of buildings, fences, water control structures, etc.

Skills

Engineering Equipment Operator

Motor Vehicle Operation

Reliability & Dependability

Tools & Equipment Maintenance

Interpret Instructions

Work Practices

Job description

Duties

Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following:

• Moves equipment/materials safely and effectively around job sites.


• Maintaining/repairing infrastructure (consistently completing tasks)


• Performs maintenance on motor vehicles, heavy equipment, and small equipment.


• Follows equipment manuals and maintenance instructions.


• Performs maintenance/repair of buildings, fences, water control structures, etc.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.


• 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. To learn more, visit


• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.


• Must possess and maintain a valid Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) within 12 months of entry on duty.


• Pre-employment and random drug testing are required. You will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test is received.


• Government housing available.


• You are required to wear a uniform and comply with uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1 year probationary to evaluate your fitness and whether your continuation of employment advances the public interest.

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; and 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 period 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-09/24/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

For current Federal employees, if hours worked per week are not included on your resume, you must submit a non-award SF-50 as part of your application to be used to validate your work schedule and determine the amount of specialized experience that you will be granted. An award SF-50 will not be acceptable documentation for which to consider your amount of qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the work schedule requirement as the service dates will be reflected. For all other applicants who are not current federal employees, your resume must state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience.

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

• Ability to do the work of Engineering Equipment Operator without more than normal supervision (SCREEN OUT)


• Operation of Motor Vehicles


• Reliability and Dependability as a Engineer Equipment Operator


• Ability To Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment


• Ability To Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (related to mobile equipment operation)


• Work Practices (including keeping things neat, clean, and in order)

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.

All DOI employees, their spouses, and minor children may not acquire or retain any claim, permit, lease, small tract entry, or other rights granted by the Department in Federal lands, with limited exceptions. Additional ethics prohibitions can be found here,

Physical Demands:

The position requires heavy physical effort when operating and adjusting equipment and attachments, as well as performing maintenance on facilities, equipment, and related attachments. The work involves considerable physical strain due to constant equipment vibration and jolting while operating over rough or uneven surfaces. Job duties routinely require extended periods of standing and walking, as well as frequent kneeling, bending, lifting, and carrying. Employees must be able to lift and carry objects or loads weighing up to 50 pounds without assistance and up to 100 pounds with assistance.

Working Conditions:

Work is performed almost entirely outdoors in all weather conditions and around moving equipment, hazardous terrain, fumes, dust, and other environmental risks. Employees must follow all safety procedures and use required protective equipment to prevent injuries from machinery, falls, hazardous materials, and other potential dangers.

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.

Current or former displaced Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, you must be well-qualified, score at least 85 (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors, experience and/or physical requirements), and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry.

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.