Engineering Equipment Operator

Summary The primary purpose of this position is to operate gasoline or diesel-powered engineering and construction heavy equipment to grade surfaces to rough specifications on all types of terrain, to include mountains and steep slopes, graded curves and shoulders, hilly forests, rocky ground, and other surfaces with similar rough features. Responsibilities Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following: Operate a wide range of heavy gasoline- or diesel-powered engineering equipment (e.g., graders, dozers, backhoes, loaders, excavators, trenchers) to perform construction, excavation, grading, and earthmoving on varied terrain including flat ground, steep slopes, forests, rocky areas, and mountainous environments. Use equipment attachments such as blades, buckets, augers, rakes, compactors, snow blowers, mowers, and brush cutters to complete tasks like clearing vegetation, removing debris, cutting trails, ripping ice, sanding roads, stockpiling materials, and performing erosion or landfill maintenance. Perform excavation, grading, backfilling, and leveling for projects such as roads, trails, culverts, canals, tunnels, and construction sites, and conduct snow removal, stump removal, rock moving, and utility placement using booms and specialized attachments. Load, secure, transport, and maneuver heavy engineering equipment and materials using motor vehicles over 14,400 kg GVW (e.g., dump trucks, semi-trailers, tankers, flatbeds, buses), ensuring compliance with all laws, safe cargo handling, and route selection. Operate large-capacity forklifts and tractors with various attachments in rough, muddy, narrow, or confined environments to lift heavy loads, move materials, mow, aerate, dig post holes, or perform similar maintenance tasks on steep or hazardous terrain. Conduct pre-trip safety inspections, perform limited equipment and vehicle maintenance (e.g., checking fluids and tire pressure), adjust equipment settings, hook up attachments, and report deficiencies to supervisors or higher-level operators. Career Seasonal - Career-Seasonal appointments are permanent positions and include the same benefits as Career appointments, but do not provide work on a year-round basis. You will work for approximately January to late June and Mid-July through December (Non-pay status 6/28/27-7/11/27) and you will be in a non-pay status for the remainder of the year. For more information about the park please visit: Big Bend National Park Requirements Conditions of Employment Must provide proof of U.S. citizenship. Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication. Males born after must be registered for Selective Service. Direct Deposit participation required. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, visit DOT Drug Testing: 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. Uniform: You are required to wear a uniform and comply with uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided. Minimum Age Requirements: You must be at least (1)18 years old or (2) at least 16 years old and: (a) Have graduated from high school or been awarded a certificate equivalent to graduating from high school; or (b) Have completed a formal vocational training program; or (c) Have received a statement from school authorities agreeing with their preference for employment rather than continuing their education; or (d) Be currently enrolled in a secondary school and either work only during school vacation periods or work part-time during the school year under a formal student employment program. Age Restrictions: You must be at least 18 years of age or older to operate government vehicles. Additional Requirements located under qualifications Qualifications Requirements Continued... Probationary Period: 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. QUALIFICATIONS: All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-08/28/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. For current Federal employees, if hours worked per week are not included on your resume, you must submit a non-award SF-50 as part of your application to be used to validate your work schedule and determine the amount of specialized experience that you will be granted. An award SF-50 will not be acceptable documentation for which to consider your amount of qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the work schedule requirement as the service dates will be reflected. For all other applicants who are not current federal employees, your resume must state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. To qualify for this position, you must have sufficient knowledge and ability in the following job-related factors: Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision (SCREEN OUT) Ability to Drive Safely (Motor Vehicles) Ability To Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (related to mobile equipment operation) Ability To Operate Safely (Non-Motor Vehicle) Operation of Motor Vehicles Reliability and Dependability as a Engineer Equipment Operator Vehicle Operation Work Practices (including keeping things neat, clean, and in order) SCREEN OUTS: MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Have experience in operating one or more types of heavy equipment to excavate backfill, grade, or level earth to rough specifications on such projects as breaking new ground for trails, roads, canals, tunnels, or construction sites. Moved earth on mountains and steep slopes, graded curves and shoulders, rocky or soft ground, hilly forests, and other surfaces with similar rough features. Graded surfaces, compacted soils or rolled earth to exact specifications on flat or rolling terrain. COMMERCIAL DRIVER'S LICENSE: Must possess and maintain a valid Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) If your knowledge and ability in the SCREEN OUT factor above is not sufficient, you will receive no further consideration. In 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. Your resume must support your response to the assessment questionnaire, and if it does not, your application will be marked as not eligible. 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. You must meet at least 2 points on the screen-out element(s) and obtain an average of at least 2 points on all of the job elements to be considered qualified for this position. 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 Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement. A selectee receiving a first appointment to the Federal Government (Civil Service) is entitled only to the lowest step of the grade for which selected. The display of a salary range on this vacancy shall not be construed as granting an entitlement to a higher rate of pay.? If otherwise eligible and qualified, you may be offered a recruitment or relocation incentive. The decision to offer an incentive will be made on a case-by-case basis and is neither promised nor guaranteed. For information visit: Recruitment Incentive or Relocation Incentive. A continued service agreement may be required if it is determined you are eligible for a permanent change in duty station (PCS), recruitment, or relocation incentive. All 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, DOI Ethics Prohibitions | U.S. Department of the Interior. Physical Demands: Heavy physical effort is required in constantly climbing in and out of different machines, pushing and pulling levers continuously while machine is in operation, and lifting such items as opening and closing tail gates on dump trucks. Work is strenuous because of the large equipment operated, the frequent adjustments made, and the adverse operating conditions. Considerable strain is caused by the constant vibration of the equipment and the jerking and jolting from operating over rough surfaces. The incumbent is required to frequently lift and carry items weighing up to 50 pounds, and often puts forth similar effort when pushing, pulling, turning, and positioning parts, assemblies, equipment, and tools. Working Conditions: This position is required to perform work both inside and outside with most of the work performed outside. The incumbent works in rain, mud, snow, and in hot/cold temperatures and is frequently exposed to irritation or discomfort from noise, vibration, dust, dirt, fumes, exhaust, oils, heat, cold, and dampness. The operation of large and complicated equipment in difficult circumstances increases the incumbent's exposure and risk of injury. The incumbent is frequently subjected to the possibility of receiving cuts, abrasions, bruises, and strains while servicing and operating equipment. When working inside, the incumbent must ensure proper ventilation. The incumbent is required to follow prescribed safety practices and use safety equipment such as protective hearing devices and hard hats.