Plant Mechanic Operator

Bureau of Reclamation; Palisades (ID); On-site; USD 42,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Bureau of Reclamation in Idaho seeks a Plant Mechanic/Operator to apply hands-on expertise in maintaining and repairing water facilities essential to western water delivery. The role emphasizes reading instructions and blueprints, troubleshooting equipment, and performing installations with minimal supervision, ensuring safe operation and reliable service.

Applicants should document relevant experience and training.

Qualifications

• Ability to perform work with minimal supervision.
• Knowledge of materials.
• Knowledge of equipment assembly, installation, and repair.
• Technical practices (theoretical, precise, artistic).
• Ability to interpret instructions, specifications, etc. (blueprint reading).
• Ability to use and maintain tools and equipment.
• Strong troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to operate equipment safely.

Skills

Supervision-free work

Materials knowledge

Equipment assembly, installation, and

Technical practices

Blueprint reading

Tools and equipment operation

Troubleshooting

Safe operation of equipment

Job description

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.

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-11/18/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

To qualify for this position, you must have sufficient knowledge and ability in the following job-related factors:

1. Ability to do the work without more than normal supervision. (Screen out)
2. Knowledge of Materials
3. Knowledge of equipment assembly, installation, and repair.
4. Technical Practices (Theoretical, precise, artistic).
5. Ability to interpret instructions, specification, etc. (includes blueprinting reading)
6. Ability to use and maintain tools and equipment.
7. Troubleshooting
8. Ability to operate equipment safely.

If your knowledge and ability in the SCREEN OUT factor above is not sufficient, you will receive no further consideration. In preparing your application, describe in detail the experience and training which you have had that specifically prepared you for this job and to perform the duties described for this job. Experience should be clearly described and documented in your resume. Your resume must support your response to the assessment questionnaire, and if it does not, your application will be marked as not eligible. The qualifications reviewer will not assume performance of such duties by Job Titles alone. Address your knowledge, skills and/or abilities in the areas shown in the job-related factors.

You must meet at least 2 points on the screen-out element(s) and obtain an average of at least 2 points on all of the job elements to be considered qualified for this position.

Volunteer Experience:

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.