Engineering Equipment Operator Job

Vacancy No. BLM-FIRE-2025-026-DHA Department Bureau of Land Management
Salary $27.52 to $35.78 Grade 8 to 10
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 12/23/2024 Close Date 1/14/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Elko, NVWinnemucca, NV


Summary

Explore a new career with the BLM - where our people are our most precious resource.

This is a Public Notice for positions being filled under the Direct Hiring Authority (DHA) for Wildland Fire. Under this recruitment procedure applications will be accepted for each location identified in this Public Notice. Veterans' Preference is not applicable to this announcement. To learn more about Direct-Hire Authority, go to: OPM.GOV Hiring Information - DHA.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted from all qualified U.S. Citizens. This is a public notice under the Direct Hiring Authority.

Duties

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is looking for temporary employees to work as Engineering Equipment Operators in Nevada.

An Engineering Equipment Operator (WG-08)operates a variety of heavy equipment such as water tenders, dozers, lowboys, etc. on fire lines for the purpose of suppressing wildfires. Maintains and repairs heavy equipment used in firefighting operations. The equipment is operated on flat or rolling terrain with simple terrain problems. Other duties include operating the equipment in reclaiming burned areas when not assigned to fire suppression operations.

An Engineering Equipment Operator (WG-10) operates a variety of heavy equipment such as water tenders, dozers, lowboys, etc. on fire lines for the purpose of suppressing wildfires. Maintains and repairs heavy equipment used in firefighting operations. The equipment is operated close to trees, drop-offs, rocks or other obstructions in steep terrain. Other duties include operating the equipment in reclaiming burned areas when not assigned to fire suppression operations.

For contact information and housing availability, visit Fire Contacts on the DOI FIRES website. To view a list of contacts by agency, select Nevada.

For more information about temporary fire positions with DOI, go to the following link: https://www.firejobs.doi.gov/.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service or exempt. To register or verify your registration, go to the Selective Service System website.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS: Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check. Failure to satisfy the background check will result in cancellation of offer of employment or may be grounds for termination.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/TESTING: You must pass an initial pre-employment physical examination and must be able to pass the work capacity fitness test (Must carry a 45 lb. pack for 3 miles within 45 minutes). Failure to meet any of the required medical qualifications will disqualify you for employment. Any condition, which would cause you to be a hazard to yourself or to others, will disqualify you for employment.

DRUG TESTING: Positions require a mandatory pre-employment drug test. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test is received. The drug test will be provided at Government direction and expense. Once hired, employees are also subject to random drug testing during employment. This is in accordance with Executive Order 12564 and under the Department's Drug Free Workplace Program.

Positions may require a valid state driver's license.

CDL Requirement.

You must be 18 years of age or older at the time of appointment.

All positions have medical qualification requirements.

Qualifications

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Job Qualifications System for Trades and Labor Occupations will be used in determining your qualifications. There is no specific length of training or experience required; however, you must be able to demonstrate through experience shown in your resume.

Screen-out Element: Ability to do the work of the position without more than normal supervision. This must be verifiable on your application.

To qualify for an Engineering Equipment Operator WG-08, you must have experience driving a diesel truck with lowboy transporting engineering equipment over the highway with some experience driving in offroad over flat or rolling terrain.

To qualify for an Engineering Equipment Operator WG-10, you must have experience driving a diesel truck with lowboy transporting engineering equipment over the highway with some experience driving in offroad or unimproved road situations over steep terrain (i.e. mountains, slopes, graded curves/shoulders).

Selective Placement Factor for WG-08/10:
1.You must have a valid state Class A Commercial Drivers License (CDL)

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.

You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

Physical Effort: Heavy physical effort is used by the operator in constantly reaching, bending, turning, and moving hands, arms, feet, and legs to handle controls to operate the equipment and attachments. Frequent adjustments to the equipment is required under the more adverse operating conditions on the rough terrain. Considerable strain is caused by the constant vibration of the equipment and the jerking and jolting from operating on rough surfaces. During fire suppression assignments, the operator is exposed to smoky conditions, fire burns, and other similar conditions.

As a line firefighter this position is subject to the Bureau's step test and arduous physical requirements for firefighters.

Working Conditions: Work is performed in all types of weather, often in an open driver's seat on hills, slopes, grades, rolling surfaces, and forests. The operator is exposed to continuously to injury due to the possibility of the equipment overturning or to the possibility of being overrun by the wildfire. The operator is subject to noise, vibration, dust, dirt, and fumes from the motor and exhaust and to smoke from wildfires.

Education

There is no substitution of education for experience for Wage Grade (WG) positions.

Additional information

Pay rates vary depending on location. For additional information on pay rates: Click here.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): CTAP/ICTAP provides eligible surplus and displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. For more information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, click here. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration or that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) This vacancy is within your CTAP/ICTAP eligibility; 2) You apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) You are found well-qualified for this vacancy. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of CTAP/ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation personnel action form.

Temporary employees hired in wildland fire or wildland fire support positions are eligible for the following:
-Annual, sick leave, and paid federal holidays
-Depending on tour of duty - Sunday, holiday, shift differential and/or hazard pay
-Participation in the Federal Employees Health Benefit (FEHB) program - Employees electing to participate in the FEHB will be responsible for the employee share of the premium while on the official agency roles, which is deducted from bi-weekly earnings. After separating from federal employment, employees will be offered to continue participation in FEHB under the Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC) option. Employees electing to continue coverage under the TCC provision will be responsible for the full premium amount plus a 2% administration fee.

A supplemental pay increase of $20,000 or 50% of base pay per year, is authorized under Bipartisan Infrastructure Law as long as funding is available.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

Once the job opportunity announcement closes, your resume and all supporting documents will be reviewed by HR to determine your eligibility for Federal employment and that the basic qualifications are met for this position specifically.

The job specific questions relate to the following job elements required to do the work of this position:
Element 1 - Ability to do the work of the position without more than normal supervision (Screen-out)
Element 2 - Work Practices (including keeping things neat, clean, and in order)
Element 3 - Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (related to mobile equipment operation)
Element 4 - Ability to Drive Safely (Motor Vehicles)
Element 5 - Ability to Operate Safely (non-Motor Vehicle)
Element 6 - Reliability and Dependability as a Motor Vehicle Operator

Because this vacancy will be filled through OPM's Direct Hire Authority, Veterans' Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply to positions filled under this announcement. All qualified candidates will be referred for consideration; the hiring office may conduct interviews at their discretion.

Required Documents

You MUST upload "Required Documents" PRIOR to the Closing Date.

**Please note that documents selected to transfer from your USAJOBS profile are NOT automatically added to your application. You need to transfer the document(s) in the Document step at the end of the application process.

Resume MUST include your name and a list of each season and position held, duties performed, dates specified in month/year to month/year format. In addition, the resume must reflect full-time or total number of hours worked per week. Part-time hours can be pro-rated based on number of hours worked per week provided. If military or civilian, please include your rank and/or grade.

  • Example 1: 05/2018 to 08/2018 could be credited as 3 months if 40 hours worked per week (full-time) are listed -or- 2.25 months if 30 hours worked per week are listed -or-1.5 months if 20 hours worked per week are listed.
  • Example 2: 05/2015 to 10/2015 could be credited as 5 months of experience if 40 hours worked per week (full-time) are listed -or- 3.75 months if 30 hours worked per week are listed -or- 2.5 months if 20 hours worked per week are listed.
  • Example 3: Dates listed with month/day/year to month/day/year could be given credit for each to/from date in its entirety if hours worked per week are listed. 05/1/2018 to 08/16/2018 could be credited as 3 months, 16 days if 40 hours worked per week are listed -or- 1 month, 23 days if 20 hours worked per week are listed.
In describing your experience, please be clear and specific. Visit the USAJOBS Help Center for more information on what should I include in my federal resume: https://www.usajobs.gov/help/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include.

A complete Assessment Questionnaire: This is completed automatically during the online application process. The questions have to do with minimum qualifications, selective factors if applicable, a verification statement, etc. There is no additional document needed to complete this requirement.

Other Supporting Documents, if applicable, such as:

Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) - If you are claiming CTAP/ICTAP you MUST submit documentation verifying your CTAP/ICTAP eligibility - this includes a copy of the agency notice and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level and duty location.

Do not submit photographs with your application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from any badges, licenses, etc.

* You only need to upload documents that apply to you. For uploading instructions please click here.

You will not be contacted for additional information. If you have questions regarding what is considered appropriate supporting documentation, contact the DOI FIRES Program Office.

How to Apply

THIS IS AN ONLINE APPLICATION PROCESS THROUGH USAJOBS. Your application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time by the closing date of the announcement. If you need assistance in applying on-line, please contact the DOI FIRES Program Office at blm_fa_fires@blm.gov or call our toll-free number at 888-364-6432.

1. Review the Vacancy Announcement and Eligibility Criteria: Review the announcement thoroughly. The sections describe who is eligible to apply, what education and/or experience is required for the position, and which documents are needed for your application package.

2. Apply. Click the "APPLY" link on the right side of the vacancy announcement. This will direct you to the login page for USAJOBS. Select your USAJOBS resume to submit with your application and proceed through the application process answering all questions.

INSUFFICIENT INFORMATION COULD RESULT IN AN INELIGIBLE RATING.

You must build a resume with the USAJOBS Resume Builder or have an Uploaded Resume on your profile BEFORE applying. Videos showing how to apply for federal jobs can be found here: https://www.nifc.gov/careers/how-to-apply. The USAJOBS Resume Builder was designed to ensure that your resume includes the standard information needed. Failure to follow these instructions in the announcement (resulting in insufficient information being provided with your resume / application) could result in an ineligible rating.

Your Resume MUST include the following information:
-From and To dates (month/year to month/year) for each season and position held. (Ex: 05/2018 - 11/2018)
-Work schedule (number of hours worked per week) for all seasons and positions held. One year of experience is equivalent to 12 months at 40 hours per week (full-time). Part-time hours are prorated. You will not receive any credit for a position listed that does not indicate hours per week.
- Grade level for each season and position that were in the federal service.
- Complete Duties for each of the seasons and positions held.
- References personal and professional

3. Submit your resume and supporting documentation ONLINE through USAJOBS. You also must complete the online application and assessment questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the "Required Documents" section. To view the assessment questionnaire, click here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12556218

For detailed step-by-step instructions on How to Apply: https://www.firejobs.doi.gov/index.php/apply.

To verify the status of your application, please log into your USAJOBS account at: https://secure.login.gov/.

For information on what each Application Status means: https://www.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/status.

FOLLOW UP. Check your application status before the announcement closes. It is your responsibility to ensure that a complete application (including a resume, on-line questionnaire, and applicable supplemental documentation) is received by 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time on the closing date of the vacancy announcement. NOTE: Technical issues may take at least 1 business day to resolve; therefore, you are highly encouraged to complete the application process prior to the closing date.

Agency contact information

DOI FIRES Program Office
Address
Bureau of Land Management
call toll free number for address information
Boise, ID 83705
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Once you submit all the required documents and the online application (i.e., online questionnaire, resume, and any supporting documentation, etc.) in USAJOBS, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful.

After the evaluation process is complete, you will be notified via USAJOBs of a status change (i.e., referred, not eligible, not qualified, referred to the hiring official, etc.). Note, you must login to your USAJOBS profile to view details of the status change. Information regarding how to see your application status can be found in the USAJOBS Help Center.

If referred and further evaluation or interviews are required, you may be contacted by the hiring officials for the location in which you are referred.

You will receive a final notification if this job is filled or cancelled. Timelines for this process vary widely.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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