Engineering Equipment Operator

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Tulelake (CA); Remote; USD 45,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Tulelake, California, seeks an Engineering Equipment Operator to operate heavy equipment and perform earth-moving tasks for the Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complex. The role includes vehicle operation, routine maintenance, and strict adherence to safety rules.

First-time federal hires start at step 1 of the wage scale. The position is telework-eligible, with a posted hourly pay range of $32.92 to $38.41 and a government pay schedule.

Qualifications

• Experience operating heavy equipment across varied terrain.
• Knowledge of safety practices and regulations.
• Ability to perform preventative maintenance and simple repairs.

Responsibilities

• Operate a variety of heavy equipment to excavate, backfill, grade, or level earth.
• Perform earth moving operations on steep slopes, rocky ground, and uneven surfaces.
• Operate motor vehicles including tractor trailers, trucks and trailers, buses, vans, and dump trucks.
• Perform daily preventative maintenance and repairs to equipment and attachments.
• Follow established safety rules and procedures.

Skills

Heavy equipment operation

Earthmoving

Safety procedures

Vehicle operation

Job description

• Hiring Agency: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

You will serve as an Engineering Equipment Operator with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complex in Tulelake, California. First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the step 1 rate.

Key Responsibilities

Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following: Operating a variety of types of heavy equipment to excavate, backfill, grade, or level earth. Performing earth moving operations on mountains and steep slopes, graded curves and shoulders, rocky or soft ground, hilly forests, vertical drop-offs (>10ft) and other surfaces with similar rough features.

Operating motor vehicles including tractor trailers, truck and trailer combination, platform trucks, passenger buses, van trucks, fuel trucks, stake trucks, and dump trucks. Performing daily preventative maintenance and makes repairs and adjustments to equipment and attachments to equipment. Following safety practices and procedures following established safety rules and regulations.

Requirements & Education

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

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $32.92 – $38.41/hr.

Is this position remote or telework eligible?

This position is eligible for telework.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-10-22.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Fed Transition' hiring path.