FUL-Tractor Operator (Seasonal)

U.S. Department of the Interior; Decatur (AL); On-site; USD 17,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of the Interior’s Wheeler NWR in Decatur, Alabama invites applications for a seasonal FUL-Tractor Operator (WG-5705-5). The role supports habitat management by operating tractors, mowers, pumps, and related equipment, and performing routine maintenance.

This position is temporary, not to exceed 1039 hours, under the Field Unit Local Hiring Authority. Responsibilities include operating 75– horsepower tractors, mowing along riverbanks, and maintaining safety and uniform

Responsibilities

• Operates hand tools and small two cycle engines, such as chain saws, weed eaters, portable pumps, and lawn mowers.
• Operates gasoline or diesel powered tractors that are 75 horsepower - 100 horsepower and weigh 7,000 - 12,000 gross vehicle weight.
• Operates tractor‑towed mower and boom ax to trim overhanging branches in order to create fire breaks on refuge properties.
• Mows grass and weeds along river banks; in wooded, range, and marshy areas; along roadways; and near open fields.
• Performs limited operator maintenance such as checking and replacing fluids, hoses, tires, batteries, and fittings.

Job description

Summary

You will serve as a FUL-Tractor Operator (Seasonal) WG-5705-5 working in Decatur Alabama for the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge. This is a temporary not to exceed 1039 hours position. This position is being filled under the Field Unit Local Hiring Authority (FUL). See below under Additional Information for further eligibility guidance.

Major Duties

• Operates hand tools and small two cycle engines, such as chain saws, weed eaters, portable pumps, and lawn mowers.
• Operates gasoline or diesel powered tractors that are 75 horsepower - 100 horsepower and weigh 7,000 - 12,000 gross vehicle weight.
• Operates tractor‑towed mower and boom ax to trim overhanging branches in order to create fire breaks on refuge properties.
• Mows grass and weeds along river banks; in wooded, range, and marshey areas; along roadways; and near open fields.
• Performs limited operator maintenance such as checking and replacing fluids, hoses, tires, batteries, and fittings.

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 www.dhs.gov/EVerify/. You are required to wear a uniform and comply with the uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided. Driver's License: Must possess and maintain a valid State driver's license prior to operating Government-owned vehicles.

Evaluations

This position is being filled under the Field Unit Local Hiring Authority. Under this authority, competitive rating, ranking, and veterans' preference procedures do not apply. The Servicing Human Resources Office will determine whether applicants meet the qualification and eligibility requirements described in this announcement. Applicants who meet these requirements may be referred to the selecting official on a certificate of eligibles for consideration. You must certify that you will maintain a permanent and exclusive residence within the defined vicinity of the field unit(s) listed in this announcement. Upon receipt of a completed application package, the Servicing Human Resources Office will review your resume and supporting documentation to determine whether you meet the minimum qualification requirements described in this announcement. Resumes must not exceed two single‑sided pages. Resumes longer than two pages will not be reviewed. Applicants may submit only one resume. Only the document submitted as the "Resume" under the Documents section will be used to determine qualifications and eligibility. If more than one resume is submitted, only the most recent submission will be reviewed. If your resume is incomplete or does not demonstrate that you meet the qualification requirements or specialized experience described in this announcement, you may be determined ineligible or not qualified for further consideration. Providing false or misleading information on your resume or supporting documentation may result in removal from consideration or other action consistent with applicable federal hiring regulations. Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position.

Required Documents

Two Page Resume which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed. 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. Headers may be slightly larger but must remain legible. 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. Proof of residence (e.g. mortgage or property deed, lease/rental agreement, utility bill, insurance policy). SF‑50 cannot be accepted as proof of residence. Veteran Documentation, if applicable, such as: DD‑214, SF15, letter from Veteran Affairs, etc. Do not submit photographs with your application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials – you must remove your image from all documents. Do not upload Adobe portfolio documents. Adobe portfolio documents are not viewable by our agency's staffing offices.

Other 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: DECATUR ALABAMA. 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. Non‑Competitive Rehire Eligibility: Temporary seasonal employees can only maintain their non‑competitive rehire eligibility if they work no more than a combined total of Temporary NTE less than 1040 hours within their established service year. Accordingly, non‑competitive rehire eligibility allows for re‑appointment to the same position or another position appropriate for temporary appointment with the same qualification requirements (5 CFR 316.402[b][7]), based on series and grade, anywhere in the major subdivision. If you have held a temporary seasonal appointment in the past 12 months and have already worked the maximum temporary appointment less than 1040 hours during that period, you are still welcome to apply. However, please be aware that exceeding the limit of 1040 hours in your established service year will result in the loss of your non‑competitive rehire eligibility. The limit can be exceeded by working multiple temporary seasonal positions that result in a combined total greater than 1040 hours. The limit also can be exceeded by working a single temporary seasonal appointment that exceeds 1040 hours, unless granted an exception by OPM. Employment may be terminated at any time due to fluctuations in funding levels, project needs, employee performance, or other considerations. 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, https://www.doi.gov/ethics/ethics-prohibitions.