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Engineering Equipment Operator

U.S. Fish And Wildlife Service

Job Location:

Montpelier, VA - USA

Hourly Salary: USD 33 - 33

Posted: 6 October 2026 (Yesterday)

Application Deadline: 3 January 2027

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Summary

You will serve as a Engineering Equipment Operator with US Fish and Wildlife Service. Operates maintains and repairs heavy equipment and facilities to support excavation grading earthmoving infrastructure projects and refuge operations. Leads activities by planning work steps promoting safe practices training others and maintaining accurate equipment and maintenance records.

Duties

Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following:

Drive and operate semi-trucks trailer load secure and haul equipment to and from project sites.
Operating road graders crawlers tractors with bulldozer or angledozer blades backhoes front-end loaders excavators wheel loaders trench diggers skid steers and large industrial tractors with pan or scraper attachments.
Operating gasoline or diesel-powered engineering construction and heavy equipment to grade surfaces to rough specifications on all types of terrain.
Daily maintenance checks and service include performing minor repairs coordinating major repairs replacing worn defective or broken parts and troubleshooting equipment issues.
Interpret plans and profiles for roads buildings and earthwork construction and maintenance while utilizing various types of engineering equipment to ensure projects are completed according to plan specifications.
Conduct basic building maintenance and repairs which encompasses tasks such as replacing plumbing components outlets sockets lighting and power fixtures as well as working with various wiring and systems. Proficient in installing outlets switches light fixtures regulators and circuit breakers.
Effectively utilizes the proper diagnostic tools to identify and assess deficiencies within water and electrical systems ensuring timely and accurate maintenance solutions.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
Males born aftermust be registered for Selective Service.
Direct Deposit participation required.
Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more visit and random alcohol and drug testing are required. You will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive test is received.
Must have and maintain a valid drivers license throughout employment.
Must possess and maintain a valid Commercial Drivers License (CDL) with Class A endorsement.
You are required to wear a uniform and comply with the uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
You must pass a physical examination.
You may need to complete a statement regarding your physical ability.

Probationary Period: 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 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 individuals employment should continue and that their appointment should be 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.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position you must have sufficient knowledge and ability in the following job-related factors:

ABILITY TO DO THE WORK OF AN ENGINEERING EQUIPMENT OPERATOR WITHOUT MORE THAN NORMAL SUPERVISION (SCREEN-OUT).

If your knowledge and ability in the SCREEN OUT factor above is not sufficient you will receive no further 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 Federal Wage System (FWS) positions.

Additional information

This position will be filled under the Field Unit Local Hiring Authority. Eligibility is limited to applicants who reside within the defined local commuting area at the time of application. For this announcement the local commuting area is the area from which individuals can reasonably commute to the duty station under normal conditions. The defined vicinity for this position is: 75 miles from Montpelier Idaho. You must provide proof of residency within the defined vicinity (e.g. mortgage or property deed lease/rental agreement utility bill insurance policy etc.). See the Required Documents section for information on how to verify current residence.

This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies.

Physical Demands: Very strenuous heavy physical effort is required in the operation and frequent adjustment of large pieces of equipment and attachments often under adverse operating conditions. Location of the controls and attachments frequently requires work in awkward or strained positions. Additional physical requirements may be required due to facility maintenance assignments and tasks regarding ladders confined spaces lifting stooping bending twisting etc.
Considerable energy is needed working in small confined spaces or elevated areas and operating equipment over rough surfaces. Work normally requires extensive standing walking kneeling and bending. Lifts carries and sets up parts equipment and objects or loads up to 50 pounds unassisted and up to 100 pounds with assistance.

Working Conditions: Work is accomplished both in an office setting (5%) and outdoors (95%). Due to operations of large and complicated equipment often in rough terrain the operator is exposed to injury resulting from equipment overturning and is subject to noise vibration dust fumes grease dirt and moving parts of equipment and machinery. Work performed outside is in a variety of settings where steep terrain extremely uneven rocky and slippery footing is normal. Temperature extremes are common.
Employee is regularly exposed to the possibility of shock cuts scrapes and bruises falls falling material or injury from equipment associated with power equipment or hazardous materials. Work demands conformance to safety requirements including the use of a variety of personal protective equipment such as: protective clothing hardhats hearing protection safety glasses goggles gloves steel toe heavy leather boots respirator and other personal protective items.
Serious injury may result from getting caught in operating equipment or from collisions with automobiles when operating on or 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 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.

Required Experience:

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