Lock and Dam Operator

• Handle bow or stern lines, walk lines in proper locations along the wall, and snub lines to assist pilot in maneuvering craft into position.
• Operate electric gate controls to open or close gates at one end of the lock chamber.
• Operate electrically controlled tow haulage unit to move barges into and out of lock chamber.
• Contact boat pilots to obtain data such as number of passengers, tonnage and commodities being transported, point of origin and destination, etc.
• Secure lines and slings to materials or equipment being moved and provide hand signals to operator for moving items to and from barges or trucks, or place bulkheads, etc.
• Perform a variety of tasks in providing assistance to and/or personally performing work required for the installation, repair, and maintenance of lock or lock and dam machinery and equipment of equipment of mechanical or electrical type.
• Perform carpentry or plumbing required for major construction or repair maintenance; concrete work, etc.
• Perform seasonal duties such as grass cutting, trimming, gardening; shoveling snow, clearing ice; as well as janitorial tasks such as cleaning control house and other site buildings, restrooms, facilities, standby equipment, etc.

Conditions of employment

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• Drug Testing Designated Position. This position meets criteria for random drug testing under the Department of the Army (DA) Drug-Free Federal Workplace Program.
• Mission Essential. This position is not subject to administrative dismissal in emergencies based on inclement weather conditions, or other emergency situations, as appropriate.
• Days of operations and typical daily schedules will vary based on site-specific work requirements. Work schedules and hours of operation are locally determined based on work requirements.
• May be required to maintain an American Red Cross Standard First Aid card in good standing, based on site-specific requirements.
• Required to completed refresher training and maintain certification
• Employees are required to observe established safe working procedures. Appropriate protective clothing and/or equipment is provided to minimize or eliminate hazardous conditions, and its use is mandatory.
• Position requires standing, stooping, bending, and lifting in excess of 50 pounds, stretching, working in cramped positions, handling or maneuvering bulky items or equipment, and general continuous moderate to arduous physical activity.
• Incumbent is required to take a pre-employment physical.
• This position may require a valid State motor vehicle operator's license prior to appointment and maintain the license for the duration of employment.
• This position requires work in all types of weather from sub-zero to extreme heat.
• Incumbent may also be required to have a valid state driver’s license based on job-related, site-specific requirements.
• Must upload IMTS Certification to application package to be considered for WY-08.
• Must upload proof of passing IMTS test completing WY-05 to be considered for WY-07 grade.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens Period of Eligibility: 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. Positions advertised fall under the USACE Inland Marine Technology System (IMTS).

• Employees participate in a formalized training and development program for Lock and Dam Operators involving on-the-job training, classroom instruction, and related correspondence courses.
• Trainee positions afford the opportunity for career progression to the intermediate grade of WY-07; and final grade of WY-08 after successful completion of training and certification requirements.

Minimum Qualifications (Screen Out Element): Ability to do the work of a Lock and Dam Operator without more than normal supervision. At a minimum, your level of experience must show that you have performed various simple maintenance or repair tasks utilizing mechanical or electrical equipment; and operated simple electrical or mechanical equipment such as: lawn mowers, hedge clippers, electric drills, power wrenches, and hydraulic lifts. - Failure to meet this Screen Out Element will result in an ineligible rating.

Physical Effort: Eye and hand coordination for operating various controls and handling lines while observing traffic and personnel, during crane lifting operations, lifting dam gates, etc. There is standing, stooping, bending, occasional lifting in excess of 50 pounds, stretching, working in cramped positions, handling or maneuvering bulky items or equipment, and general continuous moderate to arduous physical activity.

Working Conditions: Preponderance of work is performed outside subject to extremes of temperature and weather, There is exposure of injuries associated with working in restricted areas (occasionally in cramped and/or uncomfortably hot or cold areas), from falling objects, from working with electrical power tools and wiring or other equipment, from working with normal manual tools, and from falls while working on lock walls, dam service bridge, etc. While possibility of drowning exists as result of falls while working around water, hazard is practically eliminated through observance of safety procedures and use of safety equipment. During maintenance operations is occasionally exposed to unpleasant fumes, dust, etc.

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.

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.

Next steps

Additional locations