Summary You will serve as a Engineering Equipment Operator with US Fish and Wildlife Service. This position operates gasoline- or diesel-powered heavy equipment for Service projects. Projects may include wetland and upland restoration, canal and ditch construction or cleaning, road construction and rehabilitation, dam and levee construction or repair, and parking-area development. You may be required to work other than normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Duties Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following:
- Drive and operate semi-trucks trailer, load, secure, and haul equipment to and from project sites.
- Operating road graders, bulldozers, backhoes, front-end loaders, excavators, wheel loaders, skid steers, and large industrial tractors with attachments.
- Daily maintenance checks and service include performing minor repairs, coordinating major repairs, replacing worn, defective, or broken parts, and troubleshooting equipment issues.
- Interpret plans and profiles for roads, buildings, and earthwork construction and maintenance while utilizing various types of engineering equipment to ensure projects are completed according to plan specifications.
- Conduct basic building maintenance and repairs, which encompasses tasks such as replacing plumbing components, outlets, sockets, lighting and power fixtures, as well as working with various wiring and systems. Proficient in installing outlets, switches, light fixtures, regulators, and circuit breakers.
Qualifications
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-11/06/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.
For current Federal employees, if hours worked per week are not included on your resume, you must submit a non-award SF-50 as part of your application to be used to validate your work schedule and determine the amount of specialized experience that you will be granted. An award SF-50 will not be acceptable documentation for which to consider your amount of qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the work schedule requirement as the service dates will be reflected. For all other applicants who are not current federal employees, your resume must state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience.
To qualify for this position, you must have sufficient knowledge and ability in the following job-related factors:
- ABILITY TO DO THE WORK OF AN ENGINEERING EQUIPMENT OPERATOR WITHOUT MORE THAN NORMAL SUPERVISION (SCREEN-OUT).
- Operation of Motor Vehicles.
- Ability to Drive Safely.
- Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair, etc.
- Ability To Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (related to mobile equipment operation).
- Ability To Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment .
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. 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 https://www.e-verify.gov/.
- Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.
- Must possess and maintain a valid Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) .
- Pre-employment and random alcohol and drug testing are required. You will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive test is received.
- You must pass a physical examination.
- You may need to complete a statement regarding your physical ability.
- You are required to wear a uniform and comply with uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
Probationary Period: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period to evaluate your fitness and whether your continuation of employment advances the public interest.
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. How you will be evaluated 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.
You will be assessed in the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):
- Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision (SCREEN OUT)
- Ability to Drive Safely (Motor Vehicles)
- Ability To Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (related to mobile equipment operation)
- Ability to Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
- Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair, etc.
- Operation of Motor Vehicles
All qualified non-competitive applicants and the best-qualified Merit Promotion applicants will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration.
Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration or your score may be lowered. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position.
Current surplus and current or former displaced Federal individuals who have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. Well qualified means that the applicant meets the following: OPM qualification standards for the position; all selective placement factors, where applicable; special qualifying conditions that OPM has approved for the position, where applicable; is physically qualified with reasonable accommodation, where appropriate to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and is rated by the organization at least at the well qualified level.
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 85 (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors, experience and/or physical requirements), and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry.How to apply Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments and submit all required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the 11/06/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement to receive consideration. Note: You will only be marked eligible for those eligibilities that you selected and provided the appropriate supporting documentation.
The application process is as follows:
- Click the Apply Online button.
- Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. To PREVIEW the application questionnaire, select the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13099309
- Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date.
Applicants who apply under this job opportunity announcement agree to have their application, associated documents and applicable personal information shared with other Bureaus/Offices within the Department of the Interior (DOI) who have vacancies within the same occupational series, grade, full performance level and in the same geographic location(s), including within the same metro/commuting area. Applying to this announcement does not replace the need to apply to other job opportunity announcements for which you wish to receive consideration.
To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.
To view the announcement status or your application status, visit https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/status. Other information Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.
EXPLORE Act Veteran Hiring Pilot Program
The Department of the Interior has created a two-year Veteran Hiring Pilot as established by the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act that aims to expand employment opportunities for Veterans (and eligible transitioning Service Members). This position has been identified as EXPLORE Act Veteran Hiring Pilot eligible. The pilot supports DOI's conservation and resource management mission by connecting qualified Veterans with career opportunities across the Department. To learn more, visit https://www.doi.gov/veterans/explore-act.
All 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, DOI Ethics Prohibitions | U.S. Department of the Interior.
Physical Conditions: Work requires very strenuous physical effort to operate and frequently adjust large equipment and attachments, often under adverse conditions and in awkward positions. Tasks may involve confined spaces, ladders, and frequent lifting, stooping, bending, twisting, and similar movements. Employees expend considerable energy working in tight or elevated areas and over rough terrain. Duties include extensive standing, walking, kneeling, and bending, and lifting up to 50 pounds alone and up to 100 pounds with assistance.
Working Conditions: Work occurs mostly outdoors, with exposure to rough, steep, and uneven terrain, temperature extremes, and hazards such as noise, vibration, dust, fumes, grease, dirt, and moving equipment parts. Operators face risks including equipment overturns, falls, cuts, scrapes, bruises, and injury from hazardous materials or power equipment. Safety requirements include regular use of PPE such as hardhats, gloves, eye and hearing protection, steel-toe boots, and respirators. Serious injury may result from becoming caught in operating machinery or from collisions when working near public roads.