Power Plant Mechanic Trainee III/IV

• Inspects, diagnoses, and performs major repairs to mechanical operating equipment of hydroelectric powerhouses, dams, spillways, and intake structures.
• Diagnoses mechanical failures of equipment and performs repairs by disassembling, overhauling, installing, and reassembling parts on all mechanical operating equipment of the powerhouse, dam, spillway, and intake structure.
• Inspects, tests, and adjusts powerhouse, dam, spillway, and intake machinery and equipment.
• Performs electric and acetylene welding and machine-work required in the repair and manufacture of parts for maintenance of powerhouse, dam, spillway, and intake structure equipment.
• Maintains potable water and sewage treatment equipment;.
• Operates aerial lifts such as articulating boom platforms and mobile load handling equipment such as forklifts; rigs heavy loads and operates bridge and gantry cranes as needed to lift these loads.
• Online study and on-the-job work assignments are coordinated to relate basic theories to practical application of operation and maintenance activities of hydroelectric projects and are closely reviewed to assure satisfactory performance.
• Trainees are responsible for meeting and maintaining standards of Federal employment, learning the study material, and having the ability to do the work required in the trade.

Conditions of employment

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• Obtain and maintain a valid state Driver's License.
• Pre-employment physical is required.
• Participation in the Medical Surveillance Program is required.
• This is a mandatory Drug and Alcohol Testing Designated Position (TDP), in accordance with ER 690-1-1218, USACE Civilian Drug Free Workplace Program, dated 30 June 2021. Participation in the Mandatory Drug and Alcohol Testing Program is required.
• Incumbent must be able to do heavy lifting and operating heavy and awkward hand tools up to 50 lbs.
• Incumbent will be required to operate spillway and flood control gates to control water flows.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the 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.

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.

For the WB-00 Trainee III: Minimum Qualifications (Screen Out Element): Ability to do the work of a(n) Power Plant Mechanic Trainee III/IV without more than normal supervision. I have the ability to perform common preventive maintenance duties on mechanical equipment. I can perform preventive maintenance tasks such as inspecting, cleaning, and lubricating equipment. I can disassemble and assemble simple components to replace worn parts like bearings, couplings, filters, gaskets, and seals. I work under normal supervision of a work leader or journey-level employee who observes tasks in progress and upon completion to make sure they are properly performed. - Failure to meet this Screen Out Element will result in an ineligible rating.

For the WB-00 Trainee IV: Minimum Qualifications (Screen Out Element): Ability to do the work of a(n) Power Plant Mechanic Trainee III/IV without more than normal supervision. I have the ability to perform some tasks including the scheduled repair and maintenance of various mechanical systems. I can perform scheduled repairs and overhauls on mechanical equipment such as pumps, compressors, and gear boxes. I can cut, fit, and thread various types of piping, and operate common mechanic shop tools like drill presses and grinders. I work under supervision of a work leader or journey-level employee who reviews my work for completion. - Failure to meet this Screen Out Element will result in an ineligible rating.

• Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision

• PHYSICAL EFFORT: Work requires extensive walking, standing, and climbing vertical and inclined ladders and stairs; and 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 and carrying tools, equipment and supplies frequently weighing up to and over 45 pounds. Required to operate large valves, apply servolocks, lift deck hatches, and perform other tasks requiring up to 75 pounds of pulling or turning force. There is danger of cuts, bruises and burns from equipment used and possible irritation or injury to eyes and spills from acids and solvents used. 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 intake structures, and spillway areas. When working outside, is exposed to the usual extremes of climate. Exposed to high noise levels from equipment and machinery, and conditions of low visibility due to wearing protective devices and available light in some locations. Exposed to 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, ear plugs, safety glasses and goggles, face masks, shields and helmets, respirators, and gloves depending on work performed and safety requirements which must be met. Must wear appropriate safety equipment and protective clothing, and successfully complete and maintain all occupational health requirements, including pulmonary capacity and other routine occupational and pre-employment medical examinations.

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

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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