Engineering Equipment Operator

U.S. Department of the Interior; Yosemite Lodge (CA); On-site; USD 39,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Uniform allowance

Job summary

Yosemite National Park in California seeks an Engineering Equipment Operator to support Facilities Management and Utilities Maintenance. The role involves operating heavy trucks and construction equipment in a demanding 24/7 environment, with on-call and travel requirements within the park.

Candidates must be a U.S. citizen, pass background checks and drug tests, hold a valid CDL (Class B initially, with Class A within 12 months), and be prepared for extensive safety training and uniform

Qualifications

• US citizen or national.
• Background investigation required.
• Selective Service registration for males born after 1959.
• Pre-employment and random drug testing.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• CDL required and must obtain Class A CDL within 12 months.

Responsibilities

• Operate 3,000-gallon sewage pumper truck to pump septic tanks and similar units.
• Operate Vactor Truck/Sewer Cleaner to clear clogged lines and drains.
• Operate heavy engineering/construction equipment (graders, loaders, excavators, dozers) as required.
• Load, secure and haul equipment to project sites using trucks and trailers.
• Move dirt, riprap, and materials with dump trucks and trailers as part of road work.

Skills

Operate heavy equipment

Vehicle operation safety

Communication skills

Tools

CDL Class B

CDL Class A within 12 months

Job description

Summary

You will serve as a Engineering Equipment Operator within Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Pacific West Region, Facilities Management, Utilities Maintenance, Yosemite National Park, California. You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime work. You may be required to travel occasionally within the park bounties. You must obtain a government charge card for travel purposes.

Major Duties

Salary Range Information (Per Hour): $28.48- $33.22 AC-412R 412R-14Apr2026.pdf First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the step 1 rate.

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

• Deals with varying conditions and supervision that include responsibilities that are based upon a 24-hour, 7 day/week operation.
• Operate 3,000-gallon sewage pumper truck to pump septic tanks, sewage wet wells, basins, manholes and vault toilets.
• Operate Vactor Truck/Sewer Cleaner to clear clogged sewer lines, storm drains, root or debris intrusions.
• Operate gasoline or diesel-powered engineering and construction equipment with wheeled or crawler type traction, such as road graders, tractors with bulldozer or angle dozer blades, front-end loaders, excavators, backhoes, wheel loader, trench diggers, and large industrial tractors with pan or scraper attachments.
• Operate motor grader up to and including the Caterpillar 16/160 or John Deer 772 (or equivalent), with up to 16-foot blade.
• Operate dozer up to and including a Caterpillar D-7 (or equivalent). Dozers may have straight, angle or multiple way blades and rippers.
• Operate a variety of industrial type wheel or track loaders (e.g., Caterpillar 988 size) and backhoes (e.g., Case 580 size (or equivalent) with a 1/2 cubic yard to 6 cubic yard buckets.
• Loads, secures and hauls equipment to and from project sites using truck and trailer.
• Operate up to 14 cubic yard straight dump trucks or truck tractor with belly or side dump trailers for the purpose of moving dirt, blacktop and coarse materials for roadway and shoulder, hauling riprap, barriers and logs.

Yosemite National Park, California, known worldwide for its spectacular natural beauty is the backdrop for this position. Sitting astride the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the park covers 1,182 square miles of varied wilderness ecosystems, from river valleys to alpine meadows to lofty 13,000 foot high peaks. Yosemite Valley is located 208 miles from San Francisco, 81 miles from Merced, and 94 miles from Fresno. Shopping, medical, postal and laundry services are available in the park. Elevation at the Valley floor is approximately 4,000 feet and 2,200 feet in El Portal. The park is open year-round with the majority of activities occurring during the busy season March through October. For more information, please visit: https://www.nps.gov/yose/index.htm.

Education

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

Requirements

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 https://www.e-verify.gov/.

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

Must possess and maintain a valid Class B Commercial Driver's License (CDL) at Entrance of Duty (EOD).

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

Pre-employment and random drug testing are required.

You will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test is received.

You are required to wear a uniform and comply with 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.

You must be at least (1)18 years old or (2) at least 16 years old and:

(a) Have graduated from high school or been awarded a certificate equivalent to graduating from high school; or (b) Have completed a formal vocational training program; or (c) Have received a statement from school authorities agreeing with their preference for employment rather than continuing their education; or (d) Be currently enrolled in a secondary school and either work only during school vacation periods or work part-time during the school year under a formal student employment program.

*Additional Requirements located under qualifications*

Evaluations

A review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job.

If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses provided in the Assessment Questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation, you will be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score will be adjusted accordingly.

If a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications or experience, you can lose consideration for this position.

Your resume must not exceed 2 pages.

Only the document submitted as the "Resume" under the Documents section will be used to determine your qualifications/eligibility and for rating purposes.

In the event you submit more than one resume, only the latest submission will be reviewed.

You will be assessed in the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision (SCREEN OUT) Ability to Drive Safely (Motor Vehicles) Ability To Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (related to mobile equipment operation) Ability To Operate Safely (Non-Motor Vehicle) Operation of Motor Vehicles Reliability and Dependability as a Engineer Equipment Operator Work Practices (including keeping things neat, clean, and in order)

All qualified non-competitive applicants and the best-qualified Merit Promotion applicants will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration.

DUE WEIGHT: Please submit 1) a copy of your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation and 2) a list of any awards (e.g. superior performance awards, special act or achievement awards, quality step increase, etc.) you received in the last 5 years.

Any performance appraisal/evaluation and award documentation you provide will be forwarded to the selecting official.

The selecting official will review this documentation and give it due weight consideration during the overall selection process.

If you do not have your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation, you must submit a statement as to why it is not available.

Please indicate if any prior performance appraisals/evaluations were at an acceptable level.

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration or your score may be lowered.

Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in your application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position.

What to Expect Next

Please refer to your USAJOBS account for application status; the Human Resources Office cannot respond to individual status inquiries. Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application. You can find your path with the Department of Interior at https://careers.doi.gov/. Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempt to conceal information may disqualify you for employment consideration. We may verify all information you provide in your resume and questionnaire responses, through reference and/or background checks, and/or verification of your education. If you are selected, you will be contacted personally by the Human Resources Office posting this announcement.

Required Documents

The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) -09/04/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement: Resume which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed. If military or civilian, please include your rank and/or grade. Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted. The minimum font size is 10-point for all body text. All resumes must maintain a minimum 0.5-inch margins on all sides to ensure readability and prevent excessive content compression. Including supplemental pages or attachments disguised as resume extensions are prohibited and will not be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications. Your 2-page resume must contain information sufficient to make a valid determination that you fully meet the qualification requirements. More information on how to write a Federal Resume: https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include Complete All Required Assessments. Performance Appraisals and Awards: All applicants must submit their most recent performance appraisal showing the official rating of record and signed by a supervisor. If the performance appraisal is not dated within the last 18 months OR no performance appraisal is available, you must submit a statement as to why it is not available (including if any prior performance appraisals/evaluations were at an acceptable level). Must possess and maintain a valid Class B Commercial Driver's License (CDL) at Entrance of Duty (EOD). Must possess and maintain a valid Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) within 12 months of EOD. Eligibility Documentation: Current and former Federal employees must submit latest SF-50 (i.e. Promotion, Separation, Within Grade Increase (WGI)) showing tenure 1 or 2 in block 24, grade, and if applicable, an additional SF-50 showing the highest grade or promotion potential held. Time in grade will be determined by reviewing your resume and required SF-50s.

If your SF-50 showing highest permanent grade held has an effective date within the past year, your resume must clearly show that you held that grade for one year. Do not submit award SF-50s. Veterans Preference Documentation: Veterans eligible under VRA (GS-11 & below only), VEOA, 30% or more Disabled, or Disabled Veterans Enrolled in a VA Training Program must submit the most recent Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions (e.g. DD-214) as listed on the SF15. If you are a Parent or Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Veteran, you must submit all documentation as listed on the SF15. You may request a copy of the VA letter from https://www.va.gov/records.

If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active-duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, & 6) dated within 120 days of your separation.

Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA): If you are applying under LMWFA, you must submit ALL Appointment AND Termination SF-50s for EACH appointment verifying the Position Occupied code 1-Competitive Service (block 34); AND Documentation of satisfactory performance for each period of temporary employment claimed, such as, performance evaluations, memorandum of record, whereas the supervisor(s) documented an acceptable performance level for a specified rating/employment period.

Interagency Career Transition (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP): You MUST submit proof of eligibility including a copy of the agency notice, most recent performance rating, and most recent SF-50 showing your position, grade level, and duty location. For more information visit: USAJOBS Help Center - Career Transition Programs (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL). Failure to submit any of the above‑mentioned required documents will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted. Do not submit photographs with your application package. Do not upload Adobe portfolio documents.

Other 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, DOI Ethics Prohibitions | U.S. Department of the Interior. Physical Demands: Heavy physical effort is required in constantly climbing in and out of different machines, pushing and pulling levers continuously while machine is in operation, and lifting such items as opening and closing tail gates on dump trucks. Work is strenuous because of the large equipment operated, the frequent adjustments made, and the adverse operating conditions. Considerable strain is caused by the constant vibration of the equipment and the jerking and jolting from operating over rough surfaces. The incumbent is required to frequently lift and carry items weighing up to 50 pounds, and often puts forth similar effort when pushing, pulling, turning, and positioning parts, assemblies, equipment, and tools. Working Conditions: This position is required to perform work both inside and outside with most of the work performed outside. The incumbent works in rain, mud, snow, and in hot/cold temperatures and is frequently exposed to irritation or discomfort from noise, vibration, dust, dirt, fumes, exhaust, oils, heat, cold, and dampness. The operation of large and complicated equipment in difficult circumstances increases the incumbent's exposure and risk of injury. The incumbent is frequently subjected to the possibility of receiving cuts, abrasions, bruises, and strains while servicing and operating equipment. When working inside, the incumbent must ensure proper ventilation. The incumbent is required to follow prescribed safety practices and use safety equipment such as protective hearing devices and hard hats.