Maintenance Mechanic

Department of the Interior

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge

Summary

Serve as a Maintenance Mechanic, working at the Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge Complex in Rockland, Maine. You will perform a wide range of construction, repair, maintenance, and equipment operation tasks that support refuge facilities, infrastructure, vehicles, and land management needs. You will use a variety of trade skills, tools, boats, and heavy equipment to keep refuge buildings, systems, and grounds safe, functional, and well-maintained.

This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

Federal employees whose job, agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants.

Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to United States Citizens; U.S. Nationals; and Career transition eligibles (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL).

Duties

The major duties of this position include, but are not limited to the following. You must include in your resume that you possess the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform these duties.

Operate watercraft and be required to possess knowledge and skills needed to safely operate watercraft; have familiarity with state-of-the-art watercraft safety equipment and other gear; and adequate grasp of motorboat handling techniques and knowledge to safely operate a motorboat.
Maintain and repair buildings and facilities by completing electrical fixes, carpentry projects, plumbing work, heating and cooling system repairs, welding tasks, painting, and structural improvements using common tools, materials, and drawings or blueprints.
Service and repair vehicles, heavy equipment, and machines by diagnosing issues, replacing worn parts, conducting tune-ups, and performing routine preventative maintenance on diesel, gasoline, and small engines.
Operate heavy equipment and motor vehicles such as bulldozers, excavators, tractors, trucks, and trailers to complete land management, earthwork, road work, hauling needs, and vegetation control while following safety rules and legal requirements.
Lead safe work practices by training others, demonstrating proper operation of tools and equipment, keeping detailed maintenance and equipment records, and ensuring projects are completed safely and efficiently.
Support land, habitat, and facility operations by performing general maintenance tasks, managing water control structures, repairing fences and signs, assisting with habitat restoration, applying herbicides or insecticides when certified, and operating boats or off-road vehicles as needed.

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 www.dhs.gov/EVerify/.
Must possess and maintain a valid State driver's license prior to operating Government-owned vehicles.
Must have and maintain a valid State Commercial Driver's License (CDL) or obtain one year of appointment; positions requiring a CDL are subject to Department of Transportation physical exam and drug and alcohol testing requirements.
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.
Must wear the official Service uniform and comply with uniform policy requirements; a uniform allowance is provided.
Must maintain certifications for all equipment operated, including heavy equipment, specialized machinery, and watercraft when required.
May be required to obtain and maintain a Pesticide Applicator's License depending on assigned duties.
You will be assigned to operate watercraft.
You are required to obtain, by completing the Department's Motorboat Operator Certification Course, and maintain a Motorboat Operator Certification Course (MOCC).
May serve in collateral duty roles such as wildfire suppression or prescribed burning and must meet physical readiness requirements if assigned these duties.
You may be required to complete training, obtain and maintain a government credit card with purchase authority.
You must be at least 18 years of age or older to operate government vehicles.

*Additional Requirements located under Additional Information*

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-09/02/2026-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)
Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation Repair, etc.
Technical Practices (theoretical precise, artistic)
Use of Measuring Instruments
Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specification, etc. (includes blueprints reading)
Ability to Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
Knowledge of Materials

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.

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 your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Physical Demands: Considerable physical effort is required to operate and maintain facilities, equipment, and attachments. Work involves confined or elevated spaces, rough surfaces, and awkward or strained positions. Duties require extensive standing, climbing ladders or scaffolding, bending, stooping, kneeling, and working in tiring, cramped areas. Occasional unassisted lifting of 50-100 pounds is required using proper procedures.

Working Conditions: Work occurs in an office (5%) and outdoors (95%), in all weather conditions. Outdoor work involves running water, fumes, dust, grease, dirt, ladders, scaffolding, electricity, and moving equipment parts. Terrain is steep, uneven, rocky, and slippery, with frequent temperature extremes. Exposure includes energized circuits, shocks, burns, rotary devices, chemicals, cuts, and abrasions. Risks include bites, scrapes, bruises, falls, falling material, and injury from power equipment or hazardous materials. Strict safety compliance and use of PPE; protective clothing, hardhats, hearing protection, eye protection, gloves, steel-toe boots, respirators, and related gear is required. Serious injury may result from operating equipment or working near public roads.

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, https://www.doi.gov/ethics/ethics-prohibitions.

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.

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.

Review our benefits

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.

How you will be evaluated

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

A review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses provided in the Assessment Questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation, you will be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score will be adjusted accordingly. If a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications or experience, you can lose consideration for this position.

Your resume must not exceed 2 pages. Only the document submitted as the "Resume" under the Documents section will be used to determine your qualifications/eligibility and for rating purposes. In the event you submit more than one resume, only the latest submission will be reviewed.

Candidates will be rated and ranked using Category Rating procedures. These procedures place candidates with veteran's preference above non-preference eligibles within each category. Veterans with a service-connected disability of at least 10 percent are listed in the highest quality category. Under Category Rating, candidates will be rated and ranked into the following categories:

Best Qualified - applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are highly proficient in all requirements of the job and can perform effectively in the position

Well Qualified - applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in most of the requirements of the job

Qualified - applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in some, but not all of the requirements of the job.

You will be evaluated on the following competencies and/or job elements:

Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision (SCREEN OUT)
Ability To Interpret Instructions, Specification, etc. (includes blueprints reading)
Ability To Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation Repair, etc.
Knowledge of materials
Technical Practices (theoretical precise, artistic)
Use of Measuring Instruments

Current or former displaced Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, you must be well-qualified, score at least 85 (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements), and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry.

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Providing false or misleading information on your resume or supporting documentation may result in removal from consideration or other action consistent with applicable federal hiring regulations. Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position.

Required Documents

The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 09/02/2026:

Resume which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed. If military or civilian, please include your rank and/or grade. Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted. The minimum font size is 10-point for all body text. All resumes must maintain a minimum 0.5-inch margins on all sides to ensure readability and prevent excessive content compression. Including supplemental pages or attachments disguised as resume extensions are prohibited and will not be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications. Your 2-page resume must contain information sufficient to make a valid determination that you fully meet the qualification requirements. More information on how to write a Federal Resume: https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include
Complete Required Assessment.
Documentation that you meet Selective Factors (if applicable)
Veterans Preference Documentation, if applicable. Veterans must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (member 4 copy) or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions, as listed on the SF15. If you are a Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, or Parent or Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Veteran, you must submit all additional proof required by the SF15, and if applicable, a completed SF15. You may request a copy of your Department of Veterans Affairs letter from www.va.gov/records/ or call 1-800-827-1000. If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active-duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, & 6) dated within 120 days of your separation.
Interagency Career Transition (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP): You MUST submit proof of eligibility including 1) copy of the agency notice, e.g., RIF Separation Notice, Notice of Proposed Removal, etc.; 2) SF-50s (Notifications of Personnel Action) showing career/conditional tenure competitive status, promotion potential and duty location; and 3) your most recent performance appraisal. To exercise selection priority, displaced or surplus Federal employees must be well qualified. For more information visit: USAJOBS Help Center - Career Transition Programs (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL).

Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.

Do not submit photographs with your application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from all documents.

Do not upload Adobe portfolio documents. Adobe portfolio documents are not viewable by our agency's staffing offices.

How to Apply

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments and submit all required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the 09/02/2026 to receive consideration.

The application process is as follows:

Click the Apply Online button.
Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. To PREVIEW the application questionnaire, select the following link:https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13039476
Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date.

To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.

To view the announcement status or your application status, visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/status.

Applicants who apply under this job opportunity announcement agree to have their application, associated documents and applicable personal information shared with other Bureaus/Offices within the Department of the Interior (DOI) who have vacancies within the same occupational series, grade, full performance level and in the same geographic location(s), including within the same metro/commuting area. Applying to this announcement does not replace the need to apply to other job opportunity announcements for which you wish to receive consideration.

Agency contact information

Becky Olson

Phone: 218-853-5937
Email: becky_olson@ios.doi.gov

Address: Division of Human Resources
Division of Human Resources
300 Westgate Center Drive
Hadley, MA 01035
US

Next steps

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging in to your USAJOBS account as we will not be responding to inquiries about the status of applications as long as the system has been updated.

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.

You can find your path with the Department of Interior at https://careers.doi.gov/.

Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempt to conceal information may disqualify you for employment consideration. We may verify all information you provide in your resume and questionnaire responses, through reference and/or background checks, and/or verification of your education. If you are selected, you will be contacted personally by the Human Resources Office posting this announcement.

Maintenance Mechanic Job in Rockland, ME