Summary This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel of the DoD Workforce to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service. About the Position: The Lock Operator position supports the Albany Field Office under the Operations & Maintenance Section. Duties include Lock Functions such as gate operation, vessel locking, radio communications, weather monitoring, & inputting vessel information into a database. Responsibilities Performs continuing and/or special operational or functional checks on machinery to avoid untimely or dangerous equipment breakdown, and identify when possible, development of unsafe situations. Installs, repairs, and maintains lock and dam machinery, and equipment of mechanical or electrical type. Performs carpentry or plumbing required for minor construction or repair and maintenance; concrete work, welding, painting, cleaning, etc. Performs seasonal duties such as grass cutting, trimming, gardening; snow shoveling, clearing ice, etc. Operates smaller crane/bulkhead hoist/etc. for placing bulkheads. Operates equipment such as but not limited to: pick-up truck, dump truck, forklift, front-end loader, bulldozer, tractor, motorboat, and pontoon boat. Operates electrical, electronic, and/or hydraulic gate controls to open and/or close gates at one end of lock chamber. Issuing instructions to tow boat captains and other craft operators, setting of precedence of entry, and through maintaining proper procedural operation. Operates electrical or electronic controls to raise or lower dam gates in accordance with specific instructions. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Who May Apply: US Citizens In order to qualify, you must meet the experience requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document. Minimum Qualifications (Screen Out Element): Ability to do the work of a(n) Lock and Dam Operator without more than normal supervision. Performing operations, maintenance, and repair activities that requires construction and/or mechanical skills acquired from working on navigation locks, facilities, grounds, and/or equipment - Failure to meet this Screen Out Element will result in an ineligible rating. To meet the basic eligibility, you must receive at least two points on the screen-out element indicated above and must have an average of two points on all the job elements listed below. Your application will be further evaluated to determine if you meet the best qualified cut-off for referral to the selecting official. Failure to meet this Screen Out Element will result in an ineligible rating. Physical Effort: Eye and hand coordination for operating various controls and handling lines while observing traffic and personnel, during crane lifting operations, lifting dam gates, etc. There is standing, stooping, bending, occasional lifting in excess of 50 pounds, stretching, working in cramped positions and spaces, handling or maneuvering bulky items or equipment, and general continuous moderate to arduous physical effort required. Working Conditions: Preponderance of work is performed outside subject to extremes of temperature and weather. There is exposure to injuries associated with working in restricted areas, occasionally cramped and/or uncomfortably hot or cold areas, from falling objects, from working with electrical power tools and wiring or other equipment, from working with normal manual tools and from falls while working on lock walls, dam service bridge, etc. While possibility of drowning exists as result of falls while working around water, hazard is practically eliminated through observance of safety procedures and use of safety equipment. During maintenance operations is occasionally exposed to unpleasant fumes, dust, etc. Education Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted. Additional Information Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration. You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship. One year trial/probationary period may be required. Appointment is subject to the completion of a favorable suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a background investigation. Direct deposit of pay is required. This is a(n) Construction, Engineering and Infrastructure Career Field position. Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees. If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet. Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement. Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest.