POWER PLANT TRAINEE (Direct Hire Authority)

Clarification from the agency

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel of the DOD Workforce ( Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel of the DOD Workforce (Direct Hire Auth 5 U.S.C. 9905) to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.5 U.S.C. 9905) to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.

• The program of study for the first year will be standard for all trainees and will address general knowledge required of all journeymen working in a hydroelectric power plant.
• The training program consists of rotational on-the-job training, instruction, text assignments, and Plant Equipment Studies followed by more intensive craft-related training in years two, three, and four.
• Related classroom study and on-the-job work assignments are closely coordinated to relate basic theories to practical application of operation and maintenance activities of hydroelectric projects.
• Studies and on-the-job assignments are closely and critically reviewed to assure satisfactory performance necessary for continuance in the program.

Conditions of employment

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• You will be required to sign a training agreement.
• You will be required to sign a mobility agreement.
• You will be required to wear safety clothing and/or equipment.
• You must be able to obtain and/or maintain a valid state driver's license.
• A pre-employment physical may be required and annual thereafter.
• You may be required to study academic materials outside of normal working hours (unpaid).
• You will be required to meet the prerequisites for the Electro-Mechanical Technology program.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. 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. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

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): You must have the aptitude and interest for learning trade theory and practice to successfully perform the duties of a Power Plant Trainee.

To qualify, you must have taken and passed the Office of Personnel Management Wage Grade Performance Potential Assessment, commonly referred to as the Power Plant Trainee Test, within the last five years. (Note: You must attach a copy of your dated passing test score.)
-or-
You must have taken college math courses equivalent to MTH65 with a grade of 'B' or better and have taken and passed college-level courses equivalent to WR115 and RD115. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)
-or-
You must have the ability to take and pass a college placement test, such as the ACCUPLACER or ALEKS.

Failure to meet this Screen Out Element will result in an ineligible rating.

PHYSICAL EFFORT: Work requires extensive walking, standing, and climbing vertical and inclined ladders and stairs; and some stooping, bending, kneeling, and crawling. Work may be done in awkward and cramped positions which may require the physical endurance to work under poor conditions for prolonged periods of time. Requires lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, and twisting objects frequently weighing up to, and occasionally over, 45 pounds. Required to operate large valves, apply servolocks, lift deck hatches, and perform other tasks requiring pulling or turning force. Must have good distant vision in each eye and be able to read fine calibrations; glasses permitted. Ability to distinguish basic colors is required. Ability to hear the conversational voice, with or without a hearing aid, is required. An amputation of arm, hand, leg or foot will normally disqualify an applicant for appointment. Any physical condition which would cause the applicant to be a hazard to his/herself or to others is disqualifying.

WORKING CONDITIONS: The principal assignment is to the powerhouse; however the work area may include navigation lock, fish facilities, intake structures, and spillway areas. Work is principally indoors in a well heated, lighted and ventilated environment, but occasional outdoor work exposes employee to usual climate extremes. Exposed to equipment and machinery noises, heights, oils, greases, confined areas, dust, dirt, water, heat and cold, odors, fumes, and moving and/or energized equipment. Occasionally works in proximity to high voltages and currents. Is subject to the discomfort of safety equipment required such as hard-hats and ear plugs. Must wear appropriate safety equipment and protective clothing, and successfully complete and maintain all occupational health requirements.

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.


Veterans and Military Spouses will be considered along with all other candidates.

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
• This position does not have an individual occupational requirement and/or allows for substitution of education for experience. If you meet this requirement based on education you MUST submit a copy of your transcript with your application package or you will be rated ineligible. See: Transcripts and Licenses
• This position requires a job-related license or certification. You MUST submit a copy of your license or certification with your application package or you will be rated ineligible. See: Transcripts and Licenses

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.

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