Summary

A selectee receiving a first appointment to the Federal Government (Civil Service) is entitled only to the lowest step of the grade for which selected the display of a salary range on this vacancy shall not be construed as granting an entitlement to a higher rate of pay.

WG-05 $26.41-$30.84 per hr
WG-07 $29.53-$34.43 per hr
WG-09 $32.71-$38.24 per hr

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

Open to all U.S. Citizens. This announcement is also open to CTAP/ICTAP eligible displaced Federal Employees.

Duties

As a Utility Systems Operator, you will:

Operate, maintain, and repair utility systems. Perform hands-on work with utility systems including water, wastewater, and plumbing.

Conduct testing and ensure regulatory compliance by monitoring system performance using gauges, meters and test equipment. Collect and analyze water and waste water samples to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.

Perform physical and labor-intensive tasks and engage in physically demanding work including liftin (up to 50lbs), digging, climbing, and working in confined spaces.

Support administrative and project functions by assisting with tasks such as data entry, purchasing supplies, managing utility-related projects and maintaining lab records.

Career-Seasonal appointments are permanent positions and include the same benefits as Career appointments, but do not provide work on a year-round basis. You will work from approximately January - December, and you will be in a non-pay status for 2-weeks (1 pay period) between the end of March through mid-April. This may change for future service years depending on workload and budget; however, you will be notified by the supervisor in advance of any upcoming change to the non-pay period for the following year.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

U.S. Citizenship required.
Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males
Selectees will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
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 period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

*Additional Requirements located under qualifications*

Qualifications

Requirements Continued...

Selective Factor WG-07 ONLY: This position requires the incumbent to have a California Grade 1 Water Distribution Operator Certification, or equivalent.
Selective Factor WG-07 ONLY: This position requires the incumbent to have a California Grade 1 Water Treatment Operator Certification, or equivalent.
Selective Factor WG-09 ONLY: This position requires the incumbent to have a California Grade 2 Water Treatment Operator Certification, or equivalent.
Selective Factor WG-09 ONLY: This position requires the incumbent to have a California Grade 2 Water Distribution Operator Certification, or equivalent.
Selective Factor WG-09 ONLY: This position requires the incumbent to have a California Grade 1 Wastewater Operator Certification, or equivalent.
(WG-09 ONLY) You will be required to submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test result prior to appointment. In addition, this position is subject to random testing for illegal drug use.
(WG-09 ONLY) Commercial Driver's License (CDL): You must be able to obtain and maintain a valid Class B Commercial Driver's License within the one (1) year of appointment and maintain for the duration of employment.
You will be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties; a valid driver's license is required. You will be required to submit a Motor Vehicle Operator's License and Driving Record. You must also submit (within a State sealed envelope or submitted directly by the State authorities), and at your own expense, all certified driving records from all States that disclose all valid driver's licenses, whether current or past, possessed by you.
You will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work.
You may be required to travel overnight away from home up to 1-5 nights per month. You must obtain a government charge card for travel purposes.
Government Charge Card: You may be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority.
Applicants must be at least (1)18 years old or (2) at least 16 years old and: (a) Have graduated from high school or been awarded a certificate equivalent to graduating from high school; or (b) Have completed a formal vocational training program; or
(c) Have received a statement from school authorities agreeing with their preference for employment rather than continuing their education; or (d) Be currently enrolled in a secondary school and either work only during school vacation periods or work part-time during the school year under a formal student employment program.

*End of Requirements*

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) Ability To Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (related to mobile equipment operation)
Use of Measuring Instruments
Ability To Interpret Instructions, Specification, etc. (includes blueprinting reading)
Ability To Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
Knowledge of Materials

WG-05: I can perform simple plumbing tasks. I have little or no experience with wastewater treatment/collection or water production/treatment/distribution but willing to willing to learn.
WG-07: I have Utility Systems Repairer-Operator experience in the repair and installation of water and/or wastewater pipes, valves, fire hydrants and related public water and/or wastewater system appurtenances. I utilize hand and power tools associated with this trade. I perform these duties on my own initiative and under general supervision subject to occasional inspection.
WG-09: I have Utility Systems Repairer-Operator experience in the repair and installation of water and/or wastewater pipes, valves, fire hydrants and related public water and/or wastewater systems. I have performed troubleshooting on various water treatment equipment such as chemical solution feeders and chlorinators, mixed media pressure filters, slow sand filtration, cartridge type filtration systems, and pressure regulators. I utilize hand and power tools associated with this trade. I perform these duties independently subject to occasional inspection.

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. 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.

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 Wage Grade (WG) positions.

Additional information

A Recruitment Incentive May Be Authorized for a newly selected employee when appointed to a permanent, temporary, or term position. A Federal employee who is transferring to the National Park Service from another component, bureau or Federal agency and who does not meet the conditions under 5 CFR 575.102 is not eligible for a recruitment incentive.

A Relocation Incentive May Be Authorized for a Federal employee when the employee must move, as directed by the National Park Service (NPS) either through a management directed reassignment or selection for employment, to a different location at least 50 miles away from the one where his/her position of record held at time of selection is currently located, due to a need of the NPS. A relocation incentive is not the same as a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move and, as such, may be granted in conjunction with one another.

Physical Demands: The Utility Systems Repairer Operator work assignments require moderately heavy physical effort to lift, carry, or handle items weighing up to 40 pounds. Duties require the incumbent to maneuver into and out of specific locations while dismantling and assembling utility related equipment. The incumbent makes repairs and installations from ladders, scaffolding, and platforms where the parts of systems worked on are in hard-to reach places. Frequent standing, walking, bending, crouching, reaching, and stooping. Occasional climbing and work in high places may be required, as well as the use of hoists, holders, and pulleys when handling large equipment.

Working Conditions: The Utility Systems Repairer Operator work is both indoors and outdoors where the incumbent may be subject to prevailing weather conditions. The incumbent may be exposed to biological hazards or diseases while cleaning equipment or shoveling sludge, and hazardous gases such as methane, chlorine, hydrogen sulfide, and carbon monoxide. The incumbent may also be subject to electrical shock, loud noises, acids, and hydraulic fluids while working around motors and pumps. There is exposure to shock, burns, and strains. The incumbent follows prescribed safety practices and uses safety equipment such as face shields, gloves, hard-toe shoes, respirators, and protective clothing that may be uncomfortable to wear. The incumbent is required to attend and participate in safety meetings and training and review and follow safety regulations and policies prior to using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as goggles, rubber mats, gloves, hard hats and respirators as the jobs require. The incumbent may be required to operate motor vehicles and heavy engineering equipment.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/ Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP):
Displaced Federal employees may be entitled to selection priority under CTAP or ICTAP. To receive selection priority, you must:
- meet the eligibility requirements for CTAP/ICTAP,
- be rated well-qualified for this position, and
- submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP/ICTAP eligibility at the time of application.
To be well-qualified, you must meet all qualification requirements and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry without undue training.
Additional information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility is available from OPM's Career Transition Resources.

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.

Your application will first be reviewed to determine whether you meet the screen-out element for this position. Applicants who meet the screen-out element will be further evaluated by Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) based on a review of résumés and supporting documentation to determine the best-qualified candidates. If your resume is incomplete 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. Please follow all instructions carefully; errors or omissions can affect your rating.

Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted. You may only submit one resume. 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, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level or higher. Under Category Rating, candidates will be rated and ranked into one of three 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 Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (other than blueprints)
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

Required Documents

The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 01/30/2026:

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. Headers may be slightly larger but must remain legible. 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.
A complete Questionnaire
Other Supporting Documents, if applicable, such as:
- Veterans Preference Documentation:
  - If you are a Discharged, Non-Disabled Veteran, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 showing character of discharge (Member 4 copy), or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions, as listed on the SF15. If you don't have your DD-214, you may request it after discharge from the National Archives.
  - 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.
  - If you are a Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, or Mother 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.ebenefits.va.gov or call 1-800-827-1000 to establish proof of disability.
- Applicants who are eligible to be considered based on a Noncompetitive or Special Hiring Authority (i.e. Schedule A, VRA, Peace Corps, Americorp Vista, former PLC member, certain Military Spouses, 30% or More Disabled Veterans, Pathways Interns who have met the eligibility requirements for noncompetitive conversion, etc.) must submit appropriate documentation to verify your eligibility.
Documentation that you meet Selective Factors.
Documentation for Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Plan consideration if you are a displaced Federal employee within the local commuting area. You must include: 1) Proof you are a displaced Federal employee, 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 rated well-qualified or above 85 on the rating criteria for this position.

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.

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

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

To apply for this position: You must complete the questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. To receive consideration, the complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 01/30/2026. You must provide documentation to support your claim for each eligibility selected. Please review the required documentation listed in the eligibilities language to ensure you submit the appropriate information. Note: You will only be marked eligible for those eligibilities that you selected and provided the appropriate supporting documentation.

WE DO NOT ACCEPT HARD-COPY OR E-MAIL APPLICATION PACKAGES.

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Agency contact information

Talisa Jenkins

Phone: 000-000-0000
Email: talisa_jenkins@nps.gov

Address: Death Valley National Park
PO Box 579
Death Valley, CA 92328
US

Next steps

Once the Application Package is received you will receive acknowledgement that your submission was successful. If you are among the most qualified candidates and your name is referred to the hiring official, you may be contacted directly for a possible interview. You will be notified of the status of your Application Package at the time candidates are referred for consideration, and when the selection process is complete.

Utility Systems Repairer Operator Job in Death Valley, CA