Engineering Equipment Operator.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS); Tallulah (LA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking a skilled Engineering Equipment Operator to operate and maintain a range of heavy machinery in support of field activities near Tallulah, LA. The role requires a valid CDL Class A and willingness to work outdoors in varying conditions.

Expect a probationary period, background checks, and compliance with strict safety and uniform standards. This federal position includes benefits and opportunities within the agency.

Qualifications

• U.S. citizen or national.
• Background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Selectsive Service registration for males born after 12-31-59.
• Direct Deposit participation required.
• Pre-employment and random drug testing are required.
• Must have and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with Class A endorsement.
• Uniforms provided and required to be worn.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Probationary period may apply with continued employment certification.
• Residency within 70 miles of Tallulah, LA is required.

Responsibilities

• Operate a variety of tracked and wheeled heavy equipment (e.g., excavators, dump trucks, motor-graders, tractors) including attachments up to 850 size.
• Operate and maintain heavy motorized equipment (e.g., front-end loader, forklift, dump truck, backhoe/loader) as needed for project activities.
• Operate power tools such as handsaws, power saws, planers, welders, and related equipment.
• Perform maintenance/repair to buildings, facilities, and equipment (electrical, mechanical, welding, carpentry).
• Service and repair equipment by checking fluids, lubricating, replacing components, and rebuilding parts.
• Execute grading-related tasks (disk, mow, dig, load, level) for ditch cleaning, culvert installation, trails, fire breaks, pothole patching, and slash piling.

Skills

Heavy equipment operation

CDL Class A endorsement

Job description

Duties

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

• Operate a variety of tracked and wheeled heavy equipment, such as excavators, dump trucks, motor-grader, agricultural and articulating tractors with implements, and dozers up to the 850 size.
• Operate and maintain heavy motorized equipment (e.g., front-end loader, forklift, dump truck, farm agricultural tractor and implements, rubber tired backhoe/loader, skid steer, excavator, bulldozer, road grader, crawler tractor) and other pieces of equipment as needed for project activities.
• Operate power tools, including: handsaws, power saws, power planers, plumb bobs, mercury gauges, dividers, closet augers, hydrostatic pumps, lead pots, pipe threaders and cutters, soldering irons, electrical circuit testing equipment and gas and electrical welders.
• Perform maintenance/repair to buildings, facilities, and equipment requiring basic electrical, mechanical, welding, and carpentry skills.
• Service and repair equipment which includes checking fluids, lubricating, replacing components that require dismantling of the equipment such as radiators, hydraulic tanks, alternators, tracks, and excavator bucket teeth, and rebuilding components.
• Conducts disking, chopping, mowing, rotovating, digging, loading and leveling to a rough grade for the purpose of ditch cleaning, culvert installation, creating and maintaining trails and fire breaks, patching potholes, and piling slash for various purposes.

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
• Pre-employment and random alcohol and drug testing are required. You will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive test is received.
• Must have and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with Class A endorsement.
• You are required to wear a uniform and comply with the uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
• You may need to complete a statement regarding your physical ability.
• Must be at least 18 years of age or older to operate government vehicles.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a probationary period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated. 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:

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

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

Have a level of experience, education, and/or training that demonstrates the ability to perform as an Engineering Equipment Operator, WG-5716-08 Experience for this position requires operating multiple types of heavy engineering equipment inclusive of but not limited to: graders, bulldozers, loaders, excavators/backhoes, and compactors. Work involves operating engineering equipment on steep and rough terrain to excavate, backfill, grade or level earth including roads, to exact specifications.

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. 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.

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

This position will be filled under the Field Unit Local Hiring Authority. Eligibility is limited to applicants who reside within the defined local commuting area at the time of application. For this announcement, the local commuting area is the area from which individuals can reasonably commute to the duty station under normal conditions. The defined vicinity for this position is: within 70 miles of Tallulah, LA. You must provide proof of residency within the defined vicinity (e.g. mortgage or property deed, lease/rental agreement, utility bill, insurance policy, etc.). See the Required Documents section for information on how to verify current residence.

This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies.

Physical Demands:

Considerable physical effort is required in the operation of equipment and attachments to perform maintenance. Strain can be caused by constant vibration/jolting of equipment over rough surfaces. Location of controls to attachments frequently requires working in awkward or strained positions. Physical effort is required to reach, bend, turn, and move hands, arms, feet, and legs to handle different sets of controls to operate equipment and attachments. Will frequently lift and carry items weighing up to 50 pounds and put similar effort when pushing, pulling, and positioning parts, assemblies, equipment and tools.

Working Conditions:

Work is accomplished both in an office setting (5%) and outdoors (95%). Works outside in all kinds of weather and frequently exposed to irritation or discomfort from running water, fumes, dust, grease, dirt, and moving parts of equipment and machinery. Work performed outside is in a variety of settings where steep terrain, uneven, rocky and slippery footing is normal. Temperature extremes are common. Employee exposed to possibility of shock, cuts, scrapes, bruises, falls, or injury from equipment. 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.

All Department of Interior (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,

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.