Engineering Equipment Operator

This position is located within the Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fish & Wildlife Service Region 5, Eastern Virginia Rivers National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Warsaw, Virginia & Charles City, Virginia. First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the step 1 rate.

At the full performance level (WG-08) the major duties of this position include, but are not limited to the following: Operation of agricultural tractors, skid steer, backhoe and other heavy equipment in support of maintaining and enhancing wildlife habitats, and regular maintenance of gravel road infrastructure. Preventative maintenance and repairs of tractors, skid steer, backhoe and other equipment such as sprayers, UTVs, light and heavy duty trucks, and equipment trailers. Work with staff and volunteers on a daily basis for the completion of wildlife habitat and visitor services related projects. Serves as the Collateral Duty Safety Officer for the four-refuge complex, to include annual safety inspections and routine maintenance and performance testing of safety equipment (e.g. fire extinguishers, smoke/CO2 detectors). Oversees projects where contractors are performing work on one of the Refuges and ensures all work is completed on time and in line with contract parameters while adhering to industry standards. Responsible for building and facility maintenance. Assists with fleet utilization, and purchasing, annual personal property inventories, and acting as Receiving Official for personal property.

Must be a U.S. Citizen or National. 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 https://www.e-verify.gov/ Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment. Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a valid Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) within 12 months of hiring. Pre-employment and random alcohol and drug testing are required. You will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive test is received. Ability to lift 50 pounds. You are required to wear a uniform and comply with uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided. You must be at least 18 years of age or older to operate government vehicles. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period to evaluate your fitness and whether your continuation of employment advances the public interest. 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.

There is no substitution of education for experience for Federal Wage System (FWS) positions.