Maintenance Worker

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

Job summary

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Loleta, California seeks a Maintenance Worker to perform construction, repair, and maintenance on buildings, facilities, vehicles, heavy equipment, and refuge lands using hand tools, power tools, and a range of trade techniques.

You will lead small projects, help with land management tasks, and ensure safe operation of equipment, with outdoor work most of the time and exposure to varied weather and hazards.

Qualifications

• Experience in building, facility, or grounds maintenance is required.
• Ability to operate and troubleshoot hand and power tools.
• Experience planning small projects and training others is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform maintenance on buildings, facilities, vehicles, heavy equipment, and lands using hand tools, power tools, and trade techniques.
• Repair electrical, plumbing, carpentry, roofing, painting, welding, and other systems as needed.
• Maintain and repair vehicles and equipment, perform preventative service, and replace parts.
• Operate heavy equipment and transport vehicles for earth-moving and land management tasks.
• Lead small projects by planning steps, training others, and keeping records.

Skills

Hand tools

Power tools

Equipment operation

Project leadership

Tools

Heavy machinery

Job description

Open: August 3, 2026 — Closes: August 17, 2026

Summary

You will serve as a Maintenance Worker with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Loleta, California. You will perform a wide range of construction, repair, and maintenance work on buildings, facilities, vehicles, heavy equipment, and refuge lands while using hand tools, power tools, specialized machinery, and various trade techniques to support daily operations and land management needs.

Major Duties

• Perform building and facility maintenance by repairing electrical systems, heating and cooling units, plumbing, carpentry, roofing, masonry, painting, and welding using hand tools, power tools, testing devices, and trade equipment.
• Maintain and repair vehicles, heavy machinery, small engines, and equipment by replacing parts, troubleshooting mechanical issues, completing preventative service, and installing hardware or software components.
• Operate heavy equipment and motor vehicles such as bulldozers, excavators, loaders, tractors, trailers, and trucks to complete earth-moving, road and trail work, land management tasks, pesticide application, and equipment transport.
• Lead small projects by planning work steps, training others, promoting safe practices, maintaining equipment records, and entering maintenance information into approved computer systems.
• Support refuge operations by maintaining water control structures, performing habitat restoration, installing fences and signs, assisting with land management activities, and completing other related maintenance tasks as needed.

Physical Demands

• The work requires significant physical effort, including heavy lifting, carrying, and setting up parts and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds unassisted and more than 50 pounds with assistance.
• Tasks involve extensive standing, walking, bending, stooping, kneeling, climbing, and working in tiring or uncomfortable positions.
• Work frequently requires the use of jacks, pulleys, dollies, ladders, scaffolding, and platforms, as well as working in hard-to-reach or high places.
• Operation of vehicles and heavy equipment requires constant arm and leg movement, coordination, and alertness for safe control.

Working Conditions

• Work is performed both indoors and outdoors, with approximately 95 percent occurring outdoors.
• Outdoor work exposes the worker to all weather conditions, running water, fumes, dust, grease, dirt, and moving equipment or machinery.
• Work sites include steep terrain, uneven and slippery surfaces, rocky ground, forests, and other rugged environments.
• There is regular exposure to hazards such as cuts, bruises, falls, falling materials, loud noise, and risk of injury from operating machinery or working near public roads.
• Required use of personal protective equipment includes protective clothing, hardhats, hearing protection, safety glasses, goggles, gloves, steel-toe boots, respirators, and other safety gear.
• Work may involve hazardous materials, requiring proper storage, handling, labeling, and disposal according to federal and state environmental standards.