Engineering Equipment Operator

Summary

Reclamation is seeking a career professional looking for an opportunity to capitalize on their expertise as an Engineering Equipment Operator, WG-5716-10. You can make a difference in the West by assisting in meeting increasing water demands while protecting the environment.

This position is located in either Glen Elder, Kansas or McCook, Nebraska.

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Duties

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At the full performance level (WG-10) the major duties of this position include, but are not limited to the following:

• Operation of agricultural tractors, skid steer, backhoe and other heavy equipment in support of maintaining and enhancing wildlife habitats, and regular maintenance of gravel road infrastructure.
• Preventative maintenance and repairs of tractors, skid steer, backhoe and other equipment such as sprayers, UTVs, light and heavy duty trucks, and equipment trailers.
• Work with staff and volunteers on a daily basis for the completion of wildlife habitat and visitor services related projects.
• Serves as the Collateral Duty Safety Officer for the four-refuge complex, to include annual safety inspections and routine maintenance and performance testing of safety equipment (e.g. fire extinguishers, smoke/CO2 detectors).
• Oversees projects where contractors are performing work on one of the Refuges and ensures all work is completed on time and in line with contract parameters while adhering to industry standards.
• Responsible for building and facility maintenance.
• Assists with fleet utilization, and purchasing, annual personal property inventories, and acting as Receiving Official for personal property.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• 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
• Must possess and maintain a current, valid Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) throughout employment in this position. Applicants must provide proof of possession of CDL by closing date of this announcement.
• 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 pre-employment physical and reoccurring physical for arduous duty including clearances for wearing half-face and full-face respirators.
• You are required to complete training, obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority.
• You must be at least 21 years of age or older to operate government vehicles having a gross weight (GVW) rating of more than 26,000 pounds.
• You may be required to work on-call, evenings, holidays, overtime, and shift work.
• You may be required to travel overnight away from home up to 10 nights at a time. Travel is project based; periods of travel will be determined based on project needs.
• You must obtain and maintain Fall Protection and Rescue certifications (training will be provided).
• You must attend the following formal courses when schedule (training will be provided): Defensive Driving; Advanced First Aid; and CPR.

*Additional Requirements located under qualifications*

Qualifications

Requirements Continued...

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.

Qualifications:

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-09/02/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

To qualify for this position, you must possess and maintain a valid Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) at the time of application. You must submit proof of possession of your CDL when you apply. If you upload a copy of your CDL DO NOT include photographs. ( SCREEN OUT)

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

1. Ability to do the work of an Engineering Equipment Operator without more than normal supervision (SCREEN OUT)
2. Operation of Motor Vehicles
3. Work Practices (includes keeping things neat, clean, and in order)
4. Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (related to mobile equipment operation)
5. Ability to Drive Safely (Motor Vehicles)
6. Ability to Operate Safely (Non-Motor Vehicle)
7. Reliability and Dependability as an Engineering Equipment Operator

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.

Pay will vary based on the duty location for which you're selected. First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the step 1 rate.

Please see the following pay scales for clarification on the hourly pay rate for each duty station:

M084 - McCook, Nebraska

AC-057R - Glen Elder, Kansas

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: Heavy physical effort is used by the operator in constantly reaching, bending, turning, and moving hands, arms, feet, and legs to handle different sets of controls to operate the equipment and attachments. Considerable strain is caused by the constant vibration of the equipment and the jerking and jolting from operating over rough surfaces. Because of the location of some of the controls and attachments, the operator is frequently required to work in awkward or strained positions. The work is more strenuous because of the larger pieces of equipment and the frequent adjustments under more adverse operating conditions.

Working Conditions: Work is performed in all types of weather, on hills, slopes, grades, rolling surfaces, and forested areas. The operator is exposed to injury due to the possibility of the equipment overturning. The operator is subject to noise, vibration, dust, dirt, and fumes from the motor exhaust. The operator must pay close attention to the equipment, attachments, and terrain. Work is also performed on various hazardous waste sites requiring the proper training associated in performance of work on the identified sites. The operation of larger and more complicated equipment in more difficult circumstances increases the exposure to injury, overturning, noise, and vibration.

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,

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.

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.