Duties
Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following:
- Performing maintenance and repair of complex mechanical, electromechanical, electrical and
pneumatic equipment pertaining to water treatment and lift station operations;
- Installing and repairing new and existing piping systems to include: PVC, copper, ductile, HDPE, cast and/or galvanized;
- Observing and monitoring wastewater conveyance equipment and operating conditions to determine process requirements;
- Maintaining regulatory compliance of water and wastewater systems as well as conditions of lift
stations and associated equipment.
Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level. You will work under closer than normal supervision at the trainee level performing assignments designed to provide the competencies, skills, and experience required to perform the more complex work at the journey level. The work increases in difficulty, complexity, and responsibility as you gain experience and demonstrate a full comprehension of the target level position. As a trainee, you must perform work under the direct supervision and oversight of a journey level position.
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 have and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.
- Must have a current or obtain within 30 days a driver's license or registration.
- You are required to wear a uniform and comply with the uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
- You must be at least 18 years of age or older to operate government vehicles.
- This vacancy is limited to the first 100 applications received and will close at midnight Eastern Time on the day this application limit is reached regardless of the closing date specified in this vacancy announcement. Any application received prior to midnight Eastern Time of the day the application limit is reached will be accepted and considered. You are strongly encouraged to submit all required supporting documents at the time of application should the vacancy close earlier than stated in this announcement due to the applicant limit being reached. Supporting documents will not be accepted once the vacancy announcement closes.
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.
*Additional Requirements located under qualifications*
Qualifications
Requirements Continued...
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.
Conditions of Employment for the WG-10 FPL level:
- Ability to obtain and maintain within 30 days of placement into the FPL WG-10, a CDL Class B Tanker Endorsement license with Air Brakes.
- Ability to obtain and maintain Wastewater Treatment NJ Dep S-1, Water Distribution NJ DEP W-1, Water Treatment NJ DEP T-1 (Selection of this item may require drug-testing under State or local policy)
Conditions of Employment for the WG-08 level:
- Ability to obtain and maintain within 90 days of placement into the WG-08, a CDL Class B Tanker Endorsement license with Air Brakes.
- Ability to obtain and maintain Wastewater Treatment NJ Dep S-1, Water Treatment NJ DEP T-1 (Selection of this item may require drug-testing under State or local policy)
Qualifications:
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-09/09/2026-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:
- Reliability and Dependability (SCREEN OUT)
- Ability To Follow Oral Directions
- Ability To Work as a Member of a Team
- Dexterity and Safety
- Shop Aptitude and Interest
If your knowledge and ability in the SCREEN OUT factor above is not sufficient, you will receive no further consideration. Examples of this include working in a shop and assisting with basic routine electrical repair tasks, installing simple piping systems, performing basic plumbing, assisting in installing or maintaining heating systems, maintaining air conditioning units, or assisting in basic automotive repair. Experience could also include working in a production facility, processing facility or similar plant. 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.
Promotion to the full performance level is neither guaranteed nor implied and will be based solely on your ability to satisfactorily perform the work of the position, existing work at the higher grade level, and recommendation by the position's supervisor.
Physical Demands:
Work assignments typically require moderately heavy physical effort to lift, carry, or otherwise handle items typically weighing up to 40 pounds. As the trainee learns the trade, duties may require the incumbent to maneuver into and out of specific locations while dismantling and assembling utility related equipment. Under close supervision, the incumbent may make repairs 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 is possible. Occasionally, 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:
Work is both indoors and outdoors where the trainee 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, goggles, rubber mats, hard hats, respirators, and protective clothing that may be uncomfortable to wear. The incumbent is required to attend and participate in safety meetings and trainings and review and follow safety regulations and policies prior to using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The incumbent may be required to operate motor vehicles.
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:
You will be evaluated on the following competencies and/or job elements:
- Ability To Follow Oral Directions
- Ability To Interpret Instructions, Specification, etc. (includes blueprints reading)
- Ability To Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
- Ability To Work as a Member of a Team
- Dexterity and Safety
- Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation Repair, etc.
- Knowledge of materials
- Reliability and Dependability
- Shop Aptitude and Interest
- Technical Practices (theoretical precise, artistic)
- Use of Measuring Instructions
If fewer than three eligible and available candidates per vacancy result, the agency will expand the group of candidates in accordance with the pre-announced supplement strategy and 5 CFR 332.402(f).
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.
Required Documents
The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 09/09/2026:
- 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.
- 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.
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.