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Trades Helper (Linehandler Relief) - SR

Department of Transportation
Great Lakes Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located in the Massena, NY

This announcement is to establish one (1) register that may be used to fill vacancies as needed. The positions may be permanent, term or temporary.  Please see OPM’s website for definitions.

All appointments require successfully completing the Linehandler Training Program.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
09/26/2017 to 01/04/2019
Salary
$23.95 to - $26.95 per hour
Pay scale & grade
WG 05
Location
Many vacancies in the following location:
Massena, NY
MANY vacancies
Telework eligible
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent - Permanent, Temporary and/or Term positions.
Work schedule
Full-time - Full Time -
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
05
Supervisory status
No
Drug test
No
Announcement number
SLSDC.LO-2017-0006
Control number
480288300

Duties

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SOME ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS ARE (not all functions apply to the temporary appointment):

If assigned to Trades Helper duties: you will assist journey level trades workers by performing the duties associated with improvements to, and maintenance of, electrical and mechanical equipment. You may also assist journey level employees in other trades. Trades Helper work is performed primarily on Monday through Friday, day shift.

  • Obtains appropriate tools, blueprints, schematics, supplies, and materials applicable to the assigned job. Assists during set-up, shifts and aligns material and parts, and cuts, threads, bends, and glues pipe, conduit, angle, rod, flatstock,etc. Fastens and installs/pulls cable and wire.
  • Changes/installs bulbs, ballasts, thermostats, switches, outlets, and electrical boxes. Splices wire, trips/resets breakers, changes fuses, and cleans contacts and control devices.
  • Assists in tearing down and assembling machinery and steam cleans or solvent cleans parts and machinery. Adjusts, inspects, cleans, and changes oils and filters on equipment and machinery. Lubricates machinery according to maintenance schedules.
  • Removes rust, wax, dirt, old paint, etc. from surfaces by sand blasting, wire brushing, and scraping. Applies paint with roller brush and sprayer. Cleans and maintains brushes and painting equipment.
  • Measures, cuts and assembles lumber and other materials constructs forms, installs reinforcement and anchor bolts, and mixes and places concrete. Assembles and erects staging.
  • Operates pick-ups, fork lifts, skid-steer loaders, stake rack trucks, etc. to move equipment and materials. After appropriate training, may be assigned to perform asbestos abatement duties as an additional pay assignment, at the WG-6 level.
If assigned to Linehandler duties:
  • Passes/receives messenger/mooring lines or wires to/from vessels to secure them in the lock chamber or on approach walls. Operates an electrically powered capstan to pull-up a commercial vessel's mooring wires.
  • Observes for unusual occurrences during a lockage, may assist leader in positioning vessels or signaling for the opening or closing of gates. Remains on the lockwall during lockages. Secures pleasure craft and may assist with collecting tolls.
  • As required, performs related tasks which include but are not limited to: handling lines and mooring cables from vessels approaching the guidewalls prior to lockage; operating a pick-up truck and electric lock vehicle(ELV); assisting ship's personnel in securing vessels to the outer guidewalls; assisting pilots on/off vessels; preparing witness statements concerning incidents occurring during your tour of duty; reading and recording vessel drafts and registration numbers; operating small outboard work boat; and assisting in the training of new employees.
Additional required training for Permanent and Term Appointees:
  • After successful completion of the Linehandler Training Program, you will be trained as a relief for Lock& Dam Operator(LDO). Upon completion of the LDO training, you will be reassigned to a new position description, titled Trades Helper (Linehandler/LDO/LDOL Relief) and will also be required to complete the LDO Leader (LDOL) training.
  • After appropriate certification training, may be assigned to perform asbestos abatement duties as an additional pay assignment, at the WG-6 level.



Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must meet experience requirements.
  • Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date.
  • Provide all required documents by closing date.
  • Announcement also advertised Status & VEOA Applicants:SLSDC.LO-2017-0005.
  • Applicants will be referred when vacancies occur.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

SELECTIVE SERVICE:  Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service.

TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT: Temporary employees may only be employed/paid for up to 1039 hours during a 12 month period.

TERM APPOINTMENT: Exceeding 1 year and lasting no more than 4 years.

PHYSICAL EXAM REQUIRED:  This position has strenuous physical requirements.  You will be required to successfully complete a physical exam and a functional capacity test, at the expense of the Saint Lawrence Seaway, before being placed in the position. 
You may be assigned to duties requiring the use of a respirator. You will be fit tested for a respirator upon entering the position. You will be required to be clean-shaven for the initial fit-testing, and for any future assignments requiring the wearing of the respirator.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT BACKGROUND CHECK: You will be subject to a pre-employment and post-employment background investigation process which includes a fingerprint check.

DRIVER'S LICENSE REQUIREMENT: You must also be able to obtain and maintain a driver’s license.

REQUIRED TRAINING: you will be required to complete all phases of the Linehandler/Lock & Dam Operator training program as applicable to your appointment.

DRUG TESTING: When you complete Lock & Dam Operator (LDO) training, if selected for a permanent/term appointment, you will be assigned to a position that is designated as safety sensitive under the provisions of DOT'S Drug and Alcohol-Free Workplace Program. You will be tested for illegal drugs prior to being utilized as LDO relief and will be subject to periodic random testing for illegal drugs. 

DEU REQUIREMENTS: Applicants selected under delegated examining procedures may be required to successfully complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed).

This vacancy may be used to fill similar positions within 90 days for this location.

Qualifications

Qualifications for the position are based on the training, experience, or other requirements that determine which applicants would be able to perform satisfactorily in the position to be filled.

For the Wage Grade 05, to qualify, your experience should include experience equal or equivalent to the following job elements:

  • Ability to do the work of the position.
  • Work Practices (Ability to work safely).
  • Technical practices.
  • Ability to Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment.

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.

Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. If you do not meet the minimum levels in the ability to do the work OR if you do not meet the minimum level overall, you will be disqualified.

Additional information

EEO STATEMENT:  The Department of Transportation (DOT) maintains a model federal work environment that is free of discrimination. DOT ensures equal employment opportunity for employees and applicants for employment, regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), genetic information, age, disability, sexual orientation, or protected activity.

REIMBURSEMENT: Reimbursement for pre-employment interview expenses are not authorized. Applicants are responsible for all costs involved with traveling to Massena, NY for an interview.  If you do not live in the local commuting area, phone interviews are conducted prior to confirming an on-site interview. Relocation expenses are not authorized.

PHYSICAL EFFORT FOR ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:  Frequently lifts and turns while handling lines weighing up to 100 pounds, generally with another Lock Operations employee.  Frequently required to climb ladders, walk over rough terrain, climb towers, reach, twist, turn, bend, and squat, often while wearing uncomfortable or awkward safety equipment.  May be required to stand for long periods or to board craft from lock walls, docks, or shoreline areas.
Perception of distance and motion and coordination of hands and eyes are necessary for operating the lock equipment, tying up vessels and for performing electrical/electronic maintenance work.
For general maintenance work, is required to expend moderate to heavy effort for extended periods of time, such as mowing lawns behind a walking mower, shoveling snow, sweeping walkways, jack hammering, etc.

WORKING CONDITIONS FOR ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:  Work assignments are both inside and outside.  When inside, employee is frequently exposed to drafts, changing temperatures, and noise that is difficult to talk above.  When outside, may work in bad weather, in mud or snow, in wet or icy areas, and on slippery decks.  Both inside and outside, employee is frequently exposed to irritation or discomfort from dust, heat, fumes, and from hard, damp floors or ground.  Typically works on parts and systems that are dirty, oily, or greasy.  May work from ladders, staging, man baskets, decks, or rafts, on or over water.  Work may be performed in open areas at 90+ feet above land or water.  Some work is performed in narrow areas, with low ceilings, and often with limited lighting.  Employee must be able to work at or adjacent to such heights and in cramped areas. 
May be exposed to the possibility of receiving cuts, burns, including electrical burns, and/or shocks, bruises, and sprains while repairing, positioning, and moving equipment.  May be exposed to the possibility of receiving burns and skin irritations from acid, fluids, and lubricants. 
May be exposed to hazardous materials, such as, but not limited to, asbestos, lead, or silica; or chemicals such as paint, paint thinner, mineral spirits, and other agents such as naphtha, toluene, liquid anode, etc. which may be listed on the hazardous chemicals list. 
To reduce the dangers and irritations from the above conditions, the employee is required to follow prescribed safety practices and use prescribed safety equipment for each assignment, such as protective ear devices, hard hats, hard-toe shoes, floatation devices, respirators, and protective clothing.  Some of these safety items may be uncomfortable to wear or use, and may be worn or used for long periods.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE: PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume/ application does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s). Your resume must contain sufficiently detailed information upon which to make a qualification determination. Please ensure that your resume contains specific information such as position titles, beginning and ending dates of employment for each position, average number of hours worked per week, and if the position is/was in the Federal government, you should provide the position series and grade level.

If you meet the qualification requirements, your application will be placed in one of two categories: Highly Qualified and Qualified which is based upon your responses to the vacancy questions. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference that have provided supporting documents will receive selection priority over non-veterans. The top rated applications will be reviewed for the quality of your experience, education and training relevant to the position. If your resume does not support the specialized experience or if your application does not support your answers to the Vacancy Specific Questions, your final rating may be modified and/or you may be disqualified from consideration.

Your application will be rated on the extent and quality of your experience, education and training relevant to the position. The answers you select in the on-line process must be substantiated in your application package. If upon review, it is determined that your described work history, competencies, and/or supporting documents do not support your answer choices, your application may be updated or you may not be referred to the selecting official. Please ensure that your work history provides enough details to support your answers. The Automated Staffing Office is ultimately responsible for determining your final rating.
To preview questions please click here.

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