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Small Craft Operator

U.S. Fish And Wildlife Service

Job Location:

Lodi, OH - USA

Hourly Salary: USD 37 - 37

Posted: 6 October 2026 (2 days ago)

Application Deadline: 5 January 2027

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Summary

These positions are Small Craft Operators WGworking in Lodi California for the R8-Lodi Fish and Wildlife Office.

The Small Craft Operator and Marine Mechanic Team plays a vital role in supporting all projects within the Lodi Fish and Wildlife Office (LFWO) with a primary focus on two collaborative programs: the Delta Juvenile Fish Monitoring Program (DJFMP) and the Enhanced Delta Smelt Monitoring (EDSM) Program.

Duties

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

Regularly operates navigates dock/cast-off and fuel inboard outboard and inboard/outboard (I/O) powered vessels including but not limited to: a variety of small craft vessels (primarily aluminum with one fiberglass vessel) prop boats jet boats from 3 to 13 meters in length (occasionally larger) to facilitate biological sampling of the San Francisco Estuary.
Maintains services tracks and performs minor repairs on all vessels and attached or associated equipment including sampling gear vessels marine diesel and gasoline engines drive systems and boat trailers.
Assures adherence to safety protocols by all personnel on board and assists in the training of vessel operators and other personnel.
Load and unload cargo from small craft launches etc.
Support fish monitoring and conservation projects

Work Schedule:

Full-time typically Monday through Friday
Regular overtime and occasional weekend work required
Approximately 80% field work 20% shop-based tasks

Requirements

Conditions of employment

Must provide proof of U.S. citizenship.
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 drug testing are required. You will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test is received.
Must have and maintain a valid drivers license throughout employment.
Must be able to obtain and maintain USFWS approved Forklift Operator Certification
Must be able to obtain and maintain USFWS approved Motorboat Operator Certification (MOCC
Swimming in ponds lakes moving water and/or coastal aquatic environments is a requirement of this position.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position you may 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 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 perform the duties of a Small Craft Operator without more than normal supervision. (SCREEN OUT) - This experience includes: the ability to perform the following tasks without more than normal supervision: regularly operate navigate dock/cast-off and fuel inboard outboard and inboard/outboard (I/O) powered vessels including but not limited to: prop boats jet boats from 3 to 13 meters in length (occasionally larger) simultaneously operating hydraulic winch controls to deploy fish and retrieve sampling gear including maintenance to hydraulic equipment; and trailering and launching vessels.
Operation of Motor Vehicles and vessels
Ability To Interpret Instructions Specification etc. (related to mobile equipment operation)
Ability To Operate Safely (Non-Motor Vehicle and vessels)
Reliability and Dependability as a Small Craft Operator
Work Practices (includes keeping things neat clean and in order)

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: 50 miles from duty station. 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: There is frequent lifting and carrying of moderately heavy parts and equipment weighing 50 pounds or more often on slippery and uneven surfaces such as moving boat decks and docks. This position requires moderate physical effort such as pushing pulling reaching walking standing kneeling bending and climbing into crawl spaces in engine compartments. Simultaneous and smooth operation of hydraulic winches and engine controls while standing on a wet and moving deck requires coordination of hands eyes legs and body. Incumbent must be able to operate vessels for over 10 hour periods between harbor landings

Working Conditions: The incumbent works on open or partially enclosed boats day and night in all seasons and weather conditions. The Small Craft Operator is exposed to sun rain wind heat cold mosquitoes and moderate engine noise and vibration .Most work is performed outside on site in all weather conditions. The incumbent may be exposed to fluids such a s gasoline diesel battery acids and hydraulic fluids which may irritate the skin. When exposed to hazards required to wear items of protective clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) including but not limited to safety footwear eye protection hearing protection head protection station approved PFDs goggles etc

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 who include vulgar offensive or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position.

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.

Required Experience:

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