Power Plant Operator.

US Army Corps of Engineers; Umatilla (OR); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Federal benefits package

Job summary

US Army Corps of Engineers seeks a Power Plant Operator to manage hydroelectric facilities and associated systems. The role requires operating turbines and auxiliary equipment, performing inspections, and ensuring safe, reliable plant performance.

The position involves rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays, with duties spanning equipment start/stop, load adjustments, and lock operations to facilitate vessel traffic and flow control.

Qualifications

• Experience with power plant operations and electrical control systems.
• Ability to perform duties requiring physical effort and shift work.
• Willingness to work nights, weekends, and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a fully qualified hydro station operator at a hydroelectric power project with adjunct facilities including navigation lock, fishways, pumping plant, and spillway.
• Perform regular and specific inspections of project areas and equipment.
• Operate power project equipment to prescribed standards (start/stop/synchronize/adjust load and voltage).
• Operate navigation lock and control machinery for valves and gates for passing vessels.
• Operate gates to control flows and pool levels; discharge debris as needed.
• Conduct light cleaning and lubrication of equipment; perform operator-related PMs.
• Maintain security surveillance of the project.

Job description

• Serves as a fully qualified hydro station operator at a hydroelectric power project with one or more adjunct operating facilities/features consisting of navigation lock, fishways, pumping plant, and spillway.
• Makes regular and specific inspections of project areas and equipment
• Operates power project equipment to prescribed standards as directed, such as stopping, starting, synchronizing, adjusting load and voltage.
• Operates navigation lock and control machinery for valves and gates in passing vessels through high, single-lift locks.
• Operates gates to control flows and pool levels or to discharge debris.
• Performs light cleaning, lubrication of equipment, and Operator-related PM's.
• Maintains security surveillance of the project.

Duties

• Serves as a fully qualified hydro station operator at a hydroelectric power project with one or more adjunct operating facilities/features consisting of navigation lock, fishways, pumping plant, and spillway.
• Makes regular and specific inspections of project areas and equipment
• Operates power project equipment to prescribed standards as directed, such as stopping, starting, synchronizing, adjusting load and voltage.
• Operates navigation lock and control machinery for valves and gates in passing vessels through high, single-lift locks.
• Operates gates to control flows and pool levels or to discharge debris.
• Performs light cleaning, lubrication of equipment, and Operator-related PM's.
• Maintains security surveillance of the project.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• Pre-employment physical is required.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a State Driver's License.
• Pre-employment drug test is required.
• Must be able to lift up to and occasionally over 45 pounds.
• This position requires rotating shifts which will include nights, weekends, and holidays.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is There is no specific length of training or experience required. However, you must be able to demonstrate, through experience shown in your written application materials that you possess the sufficient knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the work of this position without more than normal supervision.

Minimum Qualifications (Screen Out Element):

Ability to do the work of a Power Plant Operator without more than normal supervision. You must have the ability to ability to perform common journey-level Power Plant Operator duties in a power plant. (Example: Ability to restore a 12 megawatt or larger turbine generator to service after major overhaul in a large power plant with my work checked by my supervisor or another journey-level Power Plant Operator.) You must be able to respond to system plant or disturbances under close supervision of a work leader or journey-level employee who observes tasks in progress and upon completion to make sure they are properly performed.

• Physical Efforts: Eye and hand coordination is required to operate switches and controls. Job requires extensive walking, standing, and climbing vertical and inclined ladders and stairs. Is required to operate large valves, apply servolocks, lift deck hatches and other jobs requiring pulling or turning force. Lifts and carries equipment and supplies frequently up to, and occasionally over, 45 pounds. Work requires prolonged standing, walking, climbing, bending, stooping, twisting, pulling, pushing, and kneeling.
• Working Conditions: Works on a rotating shift, inside, in well-lighted work area. Works outdoors for short periods with exposure to climate extremes. Occasionally works in proximity to high voltages and currents. Incumbent is often exposed to equipment and machinery noises and outside the control room employee will be subject to the discomfort of wearing safety equipment such as hard-hats, earplugs, and respirators. Must wear appropriate safety equipment and protective clothing, and successfully complete and maintain all occupational health requirements.

Additional information

• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
• You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
• One year trial/probationary period may be required.
• Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
• Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
• If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the
• This is a Construction, Engineering, Infrastructure Career field position.
• Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
• Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
• Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full‑time, part‑time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.