Communications and Instrumentation (C&I) Mechanic

Summary

Reclamation is seeking a career professional looking for an opportunity to capitalize on their expertise as a Communications and Instrumentation (C&I) Mechanic. You can make a difference in the West by assisting in meeting increasing water demands while protecting the environment.

Duty Location: Folsom, California

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Duties

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The C&I Mechanic performs a full range of skilled journey level duties in a hydroelectric power plant, pumping plants and related facilities assigned to the Central California Area Office, Water & Power Maintenance Branch, in Folsom, CA. Duties include:

• Installs maintains, tests, calibrates, aligns, modifies, overhauls, troubleshoots, and repairs a variety of complex electronic and electro-mechanical equipment, optical, and electro-optical such as fixed and mobile voice and data communication equipment, surveillance equipment, generators, power transformers, power circuit breakers, instrument transformers, electronic voltage regulation, supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system equipment, power system stabilizers, data logging and control equipment, sound systems, telemeter, flow meter, protective relay, electronic relays, revenue meters, and sophisticated panel board indicate meters and recorders, fiber optic cables, high speed data cable, and uninterruptible power systems.
• Performs microprocessor based programming; i.e. solid state devices, sonic liquid level devices. Uses various analog and digital test equipment such as ohmmeters, ammeters, voltmeters, watt meter, transistor testers, oscilloscopes, signal generators, frequency meters, logic analyzers, communications test sets, spectrum analyzers, time domain reflectometers, high speed communications test equipment, pc based test equipment.
• Uses various analog and digital test equipment such as ohmmeters, ammeters, voltmeters, watt meter, transistor testers, oscilloscopes, signal generators, frequency meters, logic analyzers, communications test sets, spectrum analyzers, time domain reflectometers, high speed communications test equipment, pc based test equipment, AC and DC high voltage test equipment, instrument transformers test equipment, VHF and UHF, and microwave radio test equipment.
• Installs and maintains a variety of radio communications equipment. This includes VHF and UHF Base Stations, mobile radios, microwave radio equipment, radio towers, antenna systems, and telephone equipment.
• May be required to climb radio towers or structures of varying heights ranging from 30 to 200 feet to perform maintenance on towers and antenna systems.
• Follows safe work practices and may hold clearances for the Hazardous Energy Control Program; operates a motor vehicle, forklift and manlift.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

You must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National.

You must be suitable for federal employment, determined by a background investigation.

You must submit a resume and supporting documentation (see Required Documents).

You must submit eligibility documents for veterans consideration (see Required Documents).

You must meet minimum experience requirements (see Qualifications).

You must maintain a valid State Driver's License at all times as the position requires operation of government vehicles on government and public roads. Failure to maintain a valid State Driver's License at all times will result in removal from the position.

You will be required to obtain a successful pre-employment physical examination by a licensed physician certifying your ability to perform the duties of this position. A physical exam may not be required if a comparable agency approved examination was performed within the last 12 months. The cost of the exam will be reimbursed by the agency.

You may be required to serve an initial probationary period. Continue to the Additional Information section for more information.

Who May Apply:

• 30% or More Disabled Veterans
• Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)
• Department of the Interior Employees (Competitive)
• Department of the Interior Employees (Non-Competitive)
• Federal Employees (Competitive Transfer)
• Federal Employees (Non-Competitive Transfer)
• Former Federal Employees (Competitive Reinstatement)
• Former Federal Employees (Non-Competitive Reinstatement)
• Individuals with Disabilities (Schedule A)
• Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)
• Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA)
• Military Spouses
• Miscellaneous Appointing Authorities
• Pathways Program - Conversion Eligible
• Peace Corps & AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteers
• Public Lands Corps (PLC) Hiring Authority
• Special Hiring Authorities
• Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA)
• Veterans Recruitment Authority (VRA)

Qualifications

Your application materials must demonstrate sufficient experience and training to perform the duties of this position without more than normal supervision. Qualifications will be determined on the basis of information submitted within your resume and responses to the assessment questions. For information about qualifications for Federal Wage System positions please, visit OPM.

Minimum qualifications for trades and labor positions are determined by evaluation of job elements. 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 in order to be considered qualified for this position.

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.

You must meet all Eligibility and Qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors if applicable, by 06/22/2026.

Education

This position does not allow substituting education for experience.

Additional information

Condition of Employment For Probationary Period : 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.

DOI uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including applicant rights and responsibilities, please visit

This position is designated as a MODERATE RISK Public Trust position. It requires a fully completed and favorably adjudicated Public Trust Suitability Background Investigation (T2S or T2RS or equivalent) that is current (within the last 5 years). This is a condition of employment.

Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must certify registration with the Selective Service System or that the applicant is exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. Go to:

This is a bargaining unit position represented by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1245.

Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.

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.