Crane Operator

Department of the Army
Army Tank-Automotive and Armament Command (TACOM)
Watervliet Arsenal, Quality & Logistics Directorate Logistics Management Division

Summary

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Domestic Defense Industrial Base (DIB) Facilities to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.

About the Position:  This position is under the supervision of the US Army Watervliet Arsenal, Quality & Logistics Directorate Logistics Management Division.

Announcement extended to close 8/19/2026.

Duties

• Operates a variety of cranes, including small jib cranes, pendant operated cranes, and cab-operated cranes in low, medium, and high bay areas.
• Lifts, transports, and positions materials in open shop areas, maneuvering loads over and around ground-level obstacles.
• Selects the proper lifting and grappling equipment, such as cables, ropes, and slings, for moving large and heavy items.
• Attaches loads using loops, wires, ropes, or chains and sets up braces and rigs for hoisting equipment.
• Utilizes hands to guide other crane operators in hoisting, moving, and lowering loads into the desired position.
• Operates forklifts (under 10,000 lbs capacity) to load, unload, stack, and move various materials like crates, pallets, and components.
• Conducts required driver's maintenance on forklift trucks according to established rules and regulations.
• Checks crane controls and movements for proper functioning before beginning work and reports any defects to the supervisor.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• This position has physical requirements which requires the incumbent to complete a favorable pre-employment physical.
• This is a drug testing designated position. The incumbent is subject to random testing for drug use.
• Applicant must be able to frequently lift and carry very heavy objects weighing more than 45 pounds.
• Incumbent is required to work shift work.
• This position will be filled at the WG-07 level. If selected noncompetitive promotion to the full performance level WG-09 is authorized.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

There is no specific length of training or experience required. However, you must be able to demonstrate, through experience shown in your written application materials that you possess the sufficient knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the work of this position without more than normal supervision.

Minimum Qualifications (Screen Out Element) : Ability to do the work of a(n) CRANE OPERATOR ~ without more than normal supervision.

WAGE GRADE-07 level: (1) Operating electric bridge cranes with full responsibility including lifting, moving, and positioning extremely heavy loads up to 250 tons and 100 feet in height; (2) Ensuring the precise and safe placement of machine tools and cannon components; (3) Utilizes oral or written instructions to carry out work assignments. Failure to meet this Screen out Element will result in an ineligible rating.

• PHYSICAL EFFORT: Reaches, bends, pushes, pulls and depresses the various hand and foot controls requiring continuous reaching, bending and moving of hands, arms, feet and legs. Works in a standing position and must keep their balance during starting and stopping motions of the crane. Frequently lifts and carries objects weighing up to 45 lbs. Mechanical lifting devices/other employees are available to assist with lifts of 45 lbs. and over. Lifts items such as cables, chains, and dollies.
• WORKING CONDITIONS: Works indoors in a partially enclosed crane cab or outdoors in all types of weather. Ventilation is adequate; but heat may be uncomfortable while working indoors and near the ceiling. Is exposed to the possibility of cuts, burns, bruises and broken bones from falls while climbing to and from the control cab or while climbing and attaching rigging to the load; and handling wire and fiber ropes; serious injury from swinging loads, breaking slings and falling objects. Possibility of falling from heights of 30 feet or more. Incumbent is exposed to possible unpleasant noise, dust, dirt or fumes from the work area. Uses personal protective equipment, such as safety glasses, hard hats, gloves, steel toe shoes and safety harnesses & self-rescue equipment for compliance with fall protection requirements.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
• You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
• One year trial/probationary period may be required.
• Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
• Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
• If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
• This is a Career Program (CP) 18 Engineers and Scientists Career Field position.
• Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
• Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
• Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest.
• Relocation or Recruitment Incentive maybe authorized

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position.

Required Documents

The documents you are required to submit vary based on whether or not you are eligible for preference in federal employment. A complete description of preference categories and the associated required documents is in the Applicant Checklist for Public Announcements.

As described above, your complete application includes your resume, your responses to the online questionnaire, and documents which prove your eligibility to apply. If you fail to provide these documents, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and you will not be considered any further.

1. Your resume:

• Your resume must be  two pages or less and must support the specialized experience described in this announcement. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration.
• For each relevant work experience, make sure you include the employer's name, job title, start and end dates (include month and year), for qualifications purposes, the number of hours worked per week, and a brief description that show you can perform the tasks at the required level listed in the job announcement. If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as incomplete, and you may not receive consideration for this position.
• Use plain language. Avoid using acronyms and terms that are not easily understood. The hiring agency will not make assumptions about what's in your resume.
• If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, it will not be used to make eligibility and qualification determinations, and you may not be considered for this vacancy.
• For additional information, to include formatting tips, see: What to include in your resume.

2. Other supporting documents:

• Cover Letter, optional
• Most recent Performance Appraisal, if applicable

NOTE: Documents submitted as part of the application package, to include supplemental documents, may be shared beyond the Human Resources Office. Some supplemental documents such as military orders and marriage certificates may contain personal information for someone other than you. You may sanitize these documents to remove another person's personal information before you submit your application. You may be asked to provide an un-sanitized version of the documents if you are selected to confirm your eligibility.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the online questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the  Required Documents section above.

The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 08/19/2026 to receive consideration

• Follow the prompts to  select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. As a reminder, your resume must be  two pages or less and must support the specialized experience described in this announcement. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. For additional information, refer to the 'Required Documents' section.
• You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
• After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and  click to continue with the application process.
• You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.  Your resume selected in USAJOBS will be included, but you must re-select other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application may be incomplete.
• It is your responsibility to verify that your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.
• Additional information on how to complete the online application process and submit your online application may be found on the USA Staffing Applicant Resource Center.

To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account ( all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: 

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