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Senior Power Plant Operator

Department of the Army
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Ice Harbor Lock and Dam, Walla Walla District, Army Corps of Engineers
This job announcement has closed

Summary

About the Position: This position is located at Ice Harbor Lock & Dam which is located on the Lower Snake River near the communities of Pasco, Kennewick, and Richland, WA...

This announcement is NOT intended for current, permanent Army employees. Current, permanent Army employees who would like to be considerd for this time-limited assignment should instead apply to Announcement # CERH2512798064MP.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
09/11/2025 to 09/24/2025
Salary
$72.67 to - $72.67 per hour
Pay scale & grade
WB 00
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Pasco, WA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Term - Not to Exceed (NTE) 13 Months
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
CERH2512798065
Control number
845543000

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Duties

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  • Controls and coordinates the operation of the power stations, project equipment, and flood control structures which may be remotely operated in some cases.
  • Performs/directs the performance of required operating functions; assigns operators to various stations including the control room for operating purposes and issues instructions to other project operators in carrying out project operating functions.
  • Retains responsibility for authorization, preparation, issuance, release and logging of all clearance and caution orders.
  • Provides required training in operating techniques and procedures, applicable safety rules, to operators, maintenance journeymen and trainees.
  • In emergency or trouble cases, operates the station in accordance with standing orders and in accordance with own best judgment in the interest of protection of personnel and equipment and to restore normal operations.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
  • This position requires a valid state issued driver's license.
  • Pre-employment and annual physicals are required.
  • This position requires pre-employment and random drug tests.
  • This position has a heavy lifting requirement of 45 lbs.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: Only applicants who meet one of the employment authority categories below are eligible to apply for this job. You will be asked to identify which category or categories you meet, and to provide documents which prove you meet the category or categories you selected. See Proof of Eligibility for an extensive list of document requirements for all employment authorities.

  • Current Department of Defense (DOD) Civilian Employee (non-Army)
  • Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan
  • Military Spouses, under Executive Order (E.O.) 13473
  • Non-Department of Defense (DoD) Transfer
  • People with Disabilities, Schedule A
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible
  • Reinstatement


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.

There is no specific length of training or experience required. However, you must be able to demonstrate, through experience shown in your written application materials that you possess the sufficient knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the work of this position without more than normal supervision.

Minimum Qualifications (Screen Out Element): Ability to do the work of a(n) Senior Power Plant Operator without more than normal supervision. Ability to perform the tasks of a Senior Power Plant Operator to assist, or relieve, the Control Room Operator in a 100 MW or greater hydroelectric power generating facility, in the performance of his/her routine duties including starting and stopping a generator, changing generation, adjusting voltage, performing switching, isolating hazardous energy, selecting proper arc flash PPE, adjusting river flows, and maintaining station records. Failure to meet the screen-out element will result in an ineligible rating. - Failure to meet this Screen Out Element will result in an ineligible rating.

  • Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision
  • Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specification, etc. (includes blueprint reading)
  • Dexterity and Safety
  • Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair, etc.
  • Operation of Hydroelectric Power Equipment
  • Technical Practices (theoretical, precise, artistic)
  • Use of Measuring Instruments
  • PHYSICAL EFFORT: Eye and hand coordination required to operate switches and controls. Job requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking and climbing ladders and stairs. May be required to operate large valves, apply gate locks, lift deck hatches and other jobs requiring up to 75 pounds of pulling or turning force. Lifts and carries equipment and supplies frequently up to and occasionally over 45 pounds. Work requires prolonged standing, walking, climbing, bending, stooping, twisting, pulling, pushing, and kneeling.
  • WORKING CONDITIONS: Works on a rotating shift, inside, in well-lighted, work areas. Works outdoors for short periods with exposure to climate extremes. Occasionally works in proximity to high voltages and currents. Incumbent is often exposed to equipment and machinery noises and outside the control room employee will be subject to the discomfort of wearing safety equipment such as hard-hats, earplugs, and respirators. Must wear appropriate safety equipment and protective clothing and successfully complete and maintain all occupational health requirements, including pulmonary capacity and other routine occupational and pre-employment medical examinations.

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, 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.
  • Position may be made permanent without further competition.
  • Position may be filled as a Term Appointment NTE 13 months. Term appointments may be extended beyond six (6) years, up to eight (8) years. With DoD approval, term appointments may be extended beyond eight (8) years.
  • This position is covered under the UNITED POWER TRADES ORGANIZATION (UPTO) Bargaining Unit.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

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

Your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

You should list any relevant performance appraisals and incentive awards in your resume as that information may be taken into consideration during the selection process. If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation.

You may claim Military Spouse preference.

You may claim Priority Placement Program (PPP) preference.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). If you are a Federal employee in the competitive service and your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority for this position. To receive selection priority, you must: (1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria (2) be rated well-qualified for the position and; (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. To be considered well-qualified and receive selection priority applicants must satisfy all qualification requirements for the position and receive a score of 90 or above. Additional information about the program is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website.

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