Maintenance Mechanic

Summary

You will serve as a Maintenance Mechanic with US Fish and Wildlife Service at the Iron River National Fish Hatchery located in Iron River, WI.

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Duties

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Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following:

• Performs non-supervisory maintenance and repair work on grounds, exterior structures, buildings, and related fixtures' and utilities on the hatchery. Performs plumbing work involving installation, modification and repair of the utility, supply, and disposal systems and equipment such as the water filtration system, sewage system, oil and gas distribution system and water closets, tubs, fire sprinkler systems and showers. Constructs, repairs or modifies building structures and related facilities such as finished paneling, doors, windows, rafters where accuracy, spacing, and fit are essential and structural soundness and appearance are important.
• Performs electrical repairs involving replacing, tightening, splicing, soldering, and insulating defective wiring controls, equipment and fixtures, and hooking up electrical items including outlets, switches, light fixtures, regulators, and circuit breakers to installed electrical systems at the hatchery. Operates a variety of gasoline and diesel powered heavy engineering and construction equipment with wheeled or crawler-type traction and attachments. Work includes the use of equipment such as road grader, backhoes, forklift, dozers, draglines, and 40-80 horsepower farm tractors in such activities as road and dike repair, ditch clean out and construction, weed and brush mowing, force account farming, clearing tree stumps, flood debris removal, and loading/unloading materials and equipment.
• Performs routine maintenance and repair work on hatchery heavy equipment consisting of dozers and road grader. Repair work consists of replacing worn out parts (i.e. generators, alternators, carburetors, cutting edges and cables, etc.) Applies a variety of electric, gas, or other manual welding processes or methods to carry out standard welding operations such as repairing, modification, fabrication, or rebuilding of various types of metal, alloy and equipment parts. Determines proper welding techniques, procedures, and machine settings to be used; assembles and sets up parts to be welded; and makes required welds following accepted shop practices, specifications and oral or written instructions.
• Serves as a member of the Safety Team and assists with implementation and compliance with the hatcheries and residences safety and health program. Assists in all lake trout distribution activities and takes a lead role in the maintenance and repair of all distribution vehicles. May be required to assist in the biological functions of the hatchery on occasion by caring for and rearing hatchery fish.
• Responsible for operating all snow removal equipment during the winter months to provide clear and safe access on all hatchery roads. Responsible for protection and security of all government property and equipment.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Must provide proof of U.S. citizenship.
• 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
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.
• Must have a current or obtain within 6 Months a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC).
• Must possess and maintain a valid State Commercial Driver's License (CDL).
• Must have a current or obtain within 6 Months a Motorboat Operator Certification Course (MOCC).
• Must have a current or obtain within 6 Months a Merchant Mariner Document (MMD).
• Pre-employment and random drug testing are required. You will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test is received.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 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.

Qualifications

Additional Position Requirements are listed below:

• You are required to wear a uniform and comply with uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
• You must be at least 18 years of age or older to operate government vehicles.
• Government Housing may be available.

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-08/17/2026-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:

1. Ability to perform the duties of a Maintenance Mechanic without more than the normal supervision. (SCREEN OUT)
2. Ability To Interpret Instructions, Specification, etc. (includes blueprinting reading)
3. Knowledge of equipment assembly, installation, repairs, etc.
4. Skill in use of measuring instruments.
5. Knowledge of Materials.
6. Technical Practices (theoretical, precise, artistic).
7. 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.

Additional information

Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.

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 Demands: Requires a considerable amount of standing, stooping, bending, climbing, and working in tiring or uncomfortable positions. May work from ladders and scaffolds. When operating heaving equipment, the worker is under a great deal of strain by constantly reaching, bending, turning, and moving of hands, arms, feet, and legs, and by the vibration and jerking of the equipment. Lifting up to 50 pounds may also be required.

Working Conditions: The incumbent may be employed at hatcheries. Work areas can be dirty, greasy, bad smelling, or smoky. The worker is

subject to cuts, burns, infections, the possibility of broken bones, and electrical shock. When welding, the worker is subject to fumes, infrared and ultraviolet radiation, flying sparks, the glare of torches, and the possibility of eye injury. Discomfort is encountered when wearing protective clothing, gloves, flash shield, or eye goggles. The position necessitates both inside and outside work and exposure to all kinds of weather.

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.

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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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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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.