Tractor Operator

Summary This is a career-seasonal position and subject to release and recall procedures. A permanent career-seasonal position includes all the benefits of permanent employment but does not provide employment on a full year-round basis. Salary Range: Pay will vary based on grade level and/or duty location for which you're selected. First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the step 1 rate. WG-06: $21.89 (step 1) to $25.54 (step 5) per hour - Western Texas (RUS) Wage Area Responsibilities Operate on a recurring basis, farm type tractors and towed or attached equipment to maintain grounds and road medians and/or perform farming functions. Operate towed or attached equipment from the seat of the tractor through hydraulic or mechanical controls. Equipment operated may include mowers, aerators, plows, harrows, chippers, sprayers, disks, post hole diggers, front-end loading devices, movable dozer blades, and backhoes. Operate equipment on level or rolling terrain in such areas as open fields, parks, orchards, lawns and along roadways. This is a career-seasonal position and subject to release and recall procedures. A permanent career-seasonal position includes all the benefits of permanent employment but does not provide employment on a full year-round basis. As such, the selectee will be in a non-pay/non-duty status for at least 2 weeks to 6 months per year based on project requirements or weather conditions. The selectee is guaranteed to work at least 6 months per year but not more than 50 weeks per year. The typical work season is late February to late January the following year but can be variable during these months due to project requirements or weather conditions. Area Information: Park headquarters is located in Fritch, Texas, population approximately 2,300. Cost of living is considered low. Rental opportunities are available in the local commuting areas of Fritch, Borger, Stinnett, Panhandle, and Amarillo at varying prices and quality. A variety of restaurants, financial institutions, and grocery stores are all available within a short distance. Amarillo is a 40-minute drive, which offers the closest airport, shopping, etc. Borger is a 10-minute drive with grocery stores, shopping, movie theater, etc. From Fritch it's 3 hours to Lubbock, 4 hours to Santa Fe, 5 hours to Albuquerque or Oklahoma City, and 6 hours to Dallas or Denver. The elevation averages 3,000 feet. The climate is semi-arid with average precipitation of 21 inches. The average temperature is 58 decrees with summer extremes in the 100-decree ranges and winter extremes around 0 degrees. Tornados are a potential danger, and high velocity winds are common in spring and early summer. Park housing is not available. Requirements 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 have 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 are required to wear a uniform and comply with the uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided. You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work. You may be required to travel overnight away from home occasionally. You are required to complete training, obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority. You must be at least 18 years old. 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-08/04/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Selective Factor - You must possess a valid Commercial Driver's License, Class A or you will not qualify for consideration. To qualify for this position, you must have sufficient knowledge and ability in the following job-related factors: Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision (SCREEN OUT) Operation of Motor Vehicles Work Practices (including keeping things neat, clean, and in order) Ability to Operate Safely (Non-Motor Vehicle) Reliability and Dependability as a Tractor Operator Ability To Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (related to mobile equipment operation) Ability to Drive Safely (Motor Vehicles) If your knowledge and ability in the SCREEN OUT factor above is not sufficient, you will receive no further consideration. To be found minimally qualified, your resume must show the following: I have experience operating farm-type tractors and towed or attached equipment to maintain grounds and road medians and/or perform farming functions independently on rough or uneven terrain. 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. 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. 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. Related Non-Federal experience or related experience as retired members of the uniformed services may be credited towards computing entitlement to leave accrual, at managerial discretion, providing that experience meets certain criteria. This provision allows new employees to earn annual leave at a higher rate than would otherwise be allowed. (5 Code of Federal Regulations, 630). Physical Demands: Incumbent operates tractors in all types of terrain (steep and level) and along roadways. Incumbent must be able to do heavy to strenuous lifting (50 pounds), stooping, bending, climbing ,and working in cramped positions. Working Conditions: Work location is outside, potentially in extreme temperatures. Incumbent must be capable of sustained physical effort under these conditions. Dirt, dust, and marginal ranges of air pollution are present. 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, 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.