Summary This position is a Engineering Equipment Operator, WG-5716-8 working in Los Fresnos, Texas for the R2-Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge. This position is also open to the public under announcement R2-25-12591549-SD-DE. You must apply to each announcement separately if you wish to be considered under both recruitment methods. Responsibilities As a Engineering Equipment Operator your duties may include, but are not limited to, the following: Operate heavy equipment within accepted parameters (e.g., narrow quarters, such as close to buildings, drop-offs or other obstructions and challenging field conditions such as marshy, unsteady or steep surfaces). Clean, replace, or make minor adjustment to such parts as fuel, electrical, brakes, steering, regulators, water/fuel pumps, carburetors, cooling systems or attachments to vehicles or heavy equipment. Operate and maintain heavy motorized equipment (e.g. front-end loader, forklift, dump truck, farm agricultural tractor and implements, rubber tired backhoe/ loader, skid steer, excavator, bulldozer, road grader) and other pieces of equipment as needed for project activities. Apply shop mathematics, use measuring tools or instruments, follow oral and written instructions, use drawings, sketches, schematics, blueprints, etc. to determine work procedures and details of work layout. Use electrical, mechanical, carpentry, plumbing, welding, painting, or other trades skills to maintain, repair or construct a variety of buildings or structures. Physical Effort The employee uses considerable physical effort is required in the operation and maintenance of facilities, equipment, and attachments. The employee frequently is required to perform heavy lifting and exerts considerable physical effort while using hand and power tools. Work requires extensive leg, arm, and hand movement, standing, stooping, walking, bending, climbing, and kneeling, and work in tiring and uncomfortable positions. The employee frequently lifts, carries, and sets up parts and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds unassisted, and over 50 pounds with assistance. The employee uses jacks, pulleys, dollies, or other lifting and carrying devices. Work may be from ladders, scaffolding, platforms, or high places, and in hard-to-reach places. Frequent arm and leg movements are required to operate controls, make repairs, and build items. Working Conditions Work is accomplished both in an office setting (5%) and outdoors (95%). Works outside in all kinds of weather and frequently exposed to running water, fumes, dust, 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. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications By the closing date of this announcement, you must meet the requirements of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Handbook X118C, Job Qualification System for Trades and Labor Occupation. http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/x-118c/ Although no specific amount of experience, education or training is required, applicants must meet a minimum level of ability in relation to the position and the Assessment Questionnaire in order to be rated qualified for consideration. To be qualified candidates must meet any screen out element(s) listed at an "acceptable" level, and must achieve an average rating of at least "acceptable" on all of the elements. Only education, training, or experience acquired before the closing date will be considered. SCREEN-OUT ELEMENT: Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element, which usually appears as question 1 in the on-line questionnaire. Those applicants who appear to possess at least the minimal acceptable qualification requirement are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated. The potential eligibles are then rated against the remainder of the Job Elements. The screen out element for this position is: Ability to do the work of a Engineering Equipment Operator without more than normal supervision. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following job elements: 1. Operation of Motor Vehicles. 2. Work Practices (Ability To Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment). 3. Ability To Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. 4. Work Practices (Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair, etc.). 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. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Department of Interior (DOI) Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) procedures apply in filling this vacancy. CTAP or ICTAP applicants must be determined to be well-qualified for this position in order to receive special selection priority. To be well-qualified, a CTAP or ICTAP applicant must meet the following: OPM qualification requirements for the position, all selective factors, where applicable; special OPM approved qualifying conditions for the position; is physically qualified with reasonable accommodation, where appropriate, to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and receives a rating of at least 85 on the questionnaire. For more information visit: OPM's Employee Guide to Career Transition Education There is no substitution of education for experience for Wage Grade (WG) positions. Additional Information PCS INFORMATION: No PCS authorized for this position. Telework: This position is suitable for telework on in an emergency or natural disaster. Wage Grade Pay Tables: https://wageandsalary.dcpas.osd.mil/BWN/AFWageSchedules/ Additional Vacancies: One or more positions may be filled from applications received under this announcement in the advertised office or other U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service offices in the local commuting area. Reasonable Accommodation: The USFWS provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Please visit USAJOBS Help Center | Reasonable accommodation policy if you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process. The Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA), P.L. 114-47, allows certain individuals who currently or formerly were under time-limited competitive appointments at certain land management agencies to compete under merit promotion procedures. Note: You must submit ALL SF-50s and performance information for each period of temporary/term employment that qualifies for LMWFA. Current appointees: Must have been hired under competitive examining procedures to a time limited appointment with a land management agency; Must have served under 1 or more time limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of 2 or more years; AND Must have performed at an acceptable level. Former appointees: Must have been hired under competitive examining procedures to a time limited appointment with a land management agency; Must have served under 1 or more time limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of 2 or more years; Must apply for position within 2 years after separation; Must have been separated for reasons other than misconduct or performance; AND Must have performed at an acceptable level. Public Land Corps (PLC) Hiring Authority: Served as a qualified youth on an appropriate conservation project completing a minimum of 640 hours of satisfactory service that included at least 120 hours through the PLC and received a certificate of non-competitive eligibility. Completed most recent Corps service, for which a certificate of non-competitive eligibility was issued, within the last 2 years. Appointment must be effected within the 2 year period.