Plant Mechanic Operator

U.S. Department of the Interior; Idaho; On-site; USD 84,000 - 87,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, Palisades Powerplant Maintenance in Palisades, Idaho, seeks a Plant Mechanic/Operator to perform maintenance on hydroelectric powerplant equipment and related facilities.

The role requires operating cranes, welding across multiple methods, and driving responsibilities in a demanding environment. The position includes cross-training requirements, reporting duties, and a 60-minute commute threshold for emergency response.

Qualifications

• Experience performing mechanical maintenance in hydroelectric powerplant environments.
• Ability to operate and supervise crane and hoisting equipment.
• Proficiency with welding on aluminum, steel, stainless steel and cast materials.

Responsibilities

• Perform the full range of mechanical maintenance duties in a hydroelectric powerplant and related facilities.
• Operate bridge cranes and hoisting mechanisms to move, dismantle, assemble, overhaul, and repair machinery.
• Maintain logs, records, and reports for plant operations and equipment availability.
• Follow safe switching procedures and complete required cross training.

Skills

Mechanical maintenance

Hydroelectric plant operations

Welding (oxyacetylene, arc, TIG, MIG)

Crane operation

Driver's license

Tools

Lathes

Shapers

Milling machines

Drill presses

Band saws

Job description

Summary

Reclamation is seeking a career professional looking for an opportunity to capitalize on his or her expertise as a Plant Mechanic/Operator. Make a difference in the West by assisting in meeting increasing water demands while protecting the environment. This position is also open to status candidates under announcement CBVM-27-13102135-ST-VG. You must apply to each announcement separately if you wish to be considered under both recruitment methods.

Major Duties

This position is located within the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, Pacific Northwest Region, Palisades Powerplant Maintenance, Palisades, Idaho. At the full performance level (BB) the major duties of this position include, but are not limited to the following:

• Performs the full range of mechanical maintenance duties in a hydroelectric powerplant, dam, and related facilities.
• Performs work in accordance with applicable mechanical standards, Facility Instructions, Standards and Techniques, and other nationally recognized trade practices.
• Operates bridge cranes and other hoisting mechanisms for the purpose of moving, dismantling, assembling, overhauling and repairing of hydroelectric plant machinery and related equipment.
• Operates and maintains lathes, shapers, milling machines, drill presses and band saws.
• Skilled in the use oxyacetylene, arc, air-arc, TIG and MIG welding equipment for use on materials such as; aluminum, steel, stainless steel and cast.
• As a Sub-Operator, starts and stops hydroelectric generating units and operates valves, gates, and all related electrical and mechanical-supporting equipment independently or as directed by dispatchers or supervisors.
• Maintains daily, weekly, and monthly logs, records, reports, work requests, trouble reports, power generation reports, operations reports, and equipment availability records as required for plant operation.
• Performs switching as required and observes all switching and safe-clearance procedures and other safe work practices.
• Must complete SRAO sub-operator cross training program.
• Required to live within 60 minute commute, as employee will be on the call-out list and provide first response in emergency situations.
• Major mechanical projects and maintenance would not be performed. This would also reduce the number of sub operator's for call outs which could put the Plant in danger or have issues restoring the river.
• Use of a government credit card is required.
• Must have a valid state driver's license and will be subject to periodic license checks.
• Must be able to drive on unimproved mountain roads.
• Must be able to drive on snow and ice.
• Must be able to drive 4-wheel all-terrain vehicles and snow machines.

Salary Range Information (Per Hour): *First time hires to the federal government typically start at the beginning salary in the range for their respective grade level. Salary: $60.98 SRAO Operator Cross-Training Requirement: The selectee will be required to complete the Snake River Area Office sub-operator cross training program within one year of beginning the instructional program. Failure to successfully complete the training will result in removal from Federal service. The selectee will initially be placed at the rate of $60.98 and upon successful completion of the training program, the selectee may be promoted without further competition to a Plant Mechanic/Operator at the full performance rate of $63.42.

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/. Must have and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment. You must pass a physical examination. You are required to complete training, obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority. You 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 1-year 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: 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.

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. Candidates will be rated and ranked using Category Rating procedures. These procedures place candidates with veteran's preference above non-preference eligibles within each category. Veterans with a service-connected disability of at least 10 percent are listed in the highest quality category. Under Category Rating, candidates will be rated and ranked into the following categories: Best Qualified - applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are highly proficient in all requirements of the job and can perform effectively in the position Well Qualified - applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in most of the requirements of the job Qualified - applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in some, but not all of the requirements of the job. You will be evaluated on the following competencies and/or job elements: Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision (Screen-out Element) Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (Includes Blueprint Reading) Ability to Operate Safely (Non-motor Vehicles) Ability to Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation, and Repair, etc. Knowledge of Materials Technical Practices (Theoretical, Precise, Artistic) Troubleshooting Current or former displaced Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, you must be well-qualified, score at least 80 (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements), and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from 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.

Other Information

Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement. Promotion to the full performance level is neither guaranteed nor implied and will be based solely on your ability to satisfactorily perform the work of the position, existing work at the higher grade level, and recommendation by the position's supervisor. If otherwise eligible and qualified, you may be offered a recruitment or relocation incentive. The decision to offer an incentive will be made on a case-by-case basis and is neither promised nor guaranteed. For information visit: Recruitment Incentive or Relocation Incentive. A continued service agreement may be required if it is determined you are eligible for a permanent change in duty station (PCS), recruitment, or relocation incentive.

Physical Demands:

• In the performance of duties, the incumbent may be required to lift and carry items weighing up to 40 pounds, and often puts forth similar effort in pushing, pulling, turning and positioning parts, assemblies, equipment and tools.
• May be required to lift and move heavier items with the assistance of others and with lifting devices such as jacks, hoists and cranes.
• Frequent standing, bending, stooping, kneeling and sitting for long periods may be required.
• May perform work requiring the use of a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), respirator, air filtration mask or other respiratory devices.

Working Conditions:

• Work is performed indoors and outdoors during mixed weather conditions and subject to varying terrain requiring increased physical demands to perform duties.
• Works on or around hazardous energy.
• Work may be performed from ladders, scaffolds and on top of switchyard structures.
• May work in close restricted quarters.
• May work in hazardous areas and with hazardous materials.
• May be subjected to hazardous noise.
• May be required to work from a bucket truck.
• Requires welding in the turbine pits with fresh air supply.
• Works in confined spaces using applicable safety procedures.
• Works on or around moving equipment.

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.