Engineering Equipment Operator

Summary The Blue Ridge Parkway extends 469 miles along the crest of the southern Appalachian Mountains through North Carolina and Virginia between two eastern national parks - Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountains. For more park information, log on to: Floyd Co, Va - The duty station is located on the Blue Ridge Parkway at the Rocky Knob Maintenance Area in Floyd, Co, Va. Floyd is a very rural area with most major amenities being at least 30 minutes from duty station. Responsibilities Some of the major duties you will perform as an Engineering Equipment Operator (XA-10) include but are not limited to the following: Operates gas- or diesel-powered engineering and construction equipment with wheeled or crawler-type traction, such as road graders, tractors with bulldozer or angle dozer blades, front-end loaders, backhoes, wheel loaders, trench diggers, and large industrial tractors with pan or scraper attachments. Operates equipment to push, pull, pile, excavate, backfill, grade, or level earth and/or refuse. Uses equipment to perform such functions as cutting, moving, digging, grading, and rolling earth, sand, stone, and other materials to maintain ditches, road shoulders, and beds Road maintenance including winter snow removal on mountain roads in winter storm conditions. You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work. 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 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 This is a bargaining unit position represented by American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Chapter 446 Code 2693 Obtain National Park Service Sawyer certification within 1 yr and NPS Working Faller certification within 2 years of appointment You must be at least (1)18 years old or (2) at least 16 years old and: (a) Have graduated from high school or been awarded a certificate equivalent to graduating from high school; or (b) Have completed a formal vocational training program; or (c) Have received a statement from school authorities agreeing with their preference for employment rather than continuing their education; or (d) Be currently enrolled in a secondary school and either work only during school vacation periods or work part-time during the school year under a formal student employment program Must have and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment. 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. Additional Requirements located under qualifications Qualifications Requirements Continued... 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-08/06/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. 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) Operate heavy gasoline or diesel-powered engineering and construction equipment with little or no supervision to perform excavation, backfilling, grading, and earthmoving operations on a variety of terrain, including mountainous, steep, rocky, or uneven surfaces. Experience includes independently operating equipment such as road graders, bulldozers, excavators, backhoes, front-end loaders, wheel loaders, trenchers, and industrial tractors with various attachments to complete construction, road, trail, or maintenance projects. Work includes operating equipment safely around natural features and other obstacles, performing pre-operational inspections, and completing assignments with minimal supervision. 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. Physical Demands: Heavy physical effort is required in constantly climbing in and out of different machines, pushing and pulling levers continuously while machine is in operation, and lifting such items as opening and closing tail gates on dump trucks. Work is strenuous because of the large equipment operated, the frequent adjustments made, and the adverse operating conditions. Considerable strain is caused by the constant vibration of the equipment and the jerking and jolting from operating over rough surfaces. The incumbent is required to frequently lift and carry items weighing up to 50 pounds, and often puts forth similar effort when pushing, pulling, turning, and positioning parts, assemblies, equipment, and tools. Working Conditions: This position is required to perform work both inside and outside with most of the work performed outside. The incumbent works in rain, mud, snow, and in hot/cold temperatures and is frequently exposed to irritation or discomfort from noise, vibration, dust, dirt, fumes, exhaust, oils, heat, cold, and dampness. The operation of large and complicated equipment in difficult circumstances increases the incumbent's exposure and risk of injury. The incumbent is frequently subjected to the possibility of receiving cuts, abrasions, bruises, and strains while servicing and operating equipment. When working inside, the incumbent must ensure proper ventilation. The incumbent is required to follow prescribed safety practices and use safety equipment such as protective hearing devices and hard hats. 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.