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POWER PLANT ELECTRICIAN TRAINEE III/IV

Department of the Army
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Omaha District, Operations Division, Oahe Project Office

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: Serves as a Power Plant Electrician Trainee performing shop, plant, and outdoor work at a multi-purpose power project. Installs, modifies, repairs, troubleshoots, and maintains the full range of electrical and solid-state analog electronic equipment.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted this week · Apply by 06/17/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on June 17, 2026
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You MAY qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Salary
$48.91 - $54.80 per hour

Trainee III: $48.91 per hour; Trainee IV: $54.80

Pay scale & grade
WB 00
Promotion potential
00
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Temporary Duty (TDY) travel is approximately 5 percent.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
Yes
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Not Required
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
CERH-26-12974815-DHA
Control number
871660600

Videos

Duties

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  • Under direction and guidance of a journeyman Power Plant Electrician, receives assignments designed to provide required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform at the journeyman level.
  • Installs, modifies, repairs, and performs diagnostic evaluation, troubleshooting and periodic and unscheduled maintenance on the full range of electrical and solid-state analog electronic equipment common to hydroelectric power producing stations.
  • Maintains, repairs, and calibrates recording and indicating meters, automatic generation control, voltage control equipment, communication equipment, and relays.
  • Troubleshoots and repairs industrial electronic equipment.
  • Performs fiber-optic splicing, testing, and troubleshooting.
  • Installs, modifies, troubleshoots, and repairs equipment and systems ancillary to the project such as power distribution systems; heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems; lighting; security systems.

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.
  • Obtain and maintain a valid state Driver's License.
  • This is a mandatory Drug and Alcohol Testing Designated Position (TDP), in accordance with ER 690-1-1218, USACE Civilian Drug Free Workplace Program, dated 30 June 2021. Participation in the Mandatory Drug and Alcohol Testing Program is required.
  • Pre-Employment drug and alcohol test is required.
  • Pre-employment physical is required, to include ability to distinguish colors.
  • Participation in the Medical Surveillance Program is required.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

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.

For the WB-00 Trainee III:

Minimum Qualifications (Screen Out Element): Ability to do the work of a(n) POWER PLANT ELECTRICIAN TRAINEE III without more than normal supervision. I have the ability to perform common electrical maintenance and repairs tasks. I can perform basic electrical repair work; follow blueprints or instructions for common electrical maintenance tasks; and apply electronic principles to installation of electrical equipment. I work under normal supervision of a work leader or journey-level employee who observes tasks in progress and upon completion to make sure they are properly performed. - Failure to meet this Screen out Element will result in an ineligible rating.

For the WB-00 Trainee IV:

Minimum Qualifications (Screen Out Element): Ability to do the work of a(n) POWER PLANT ELECTRICIAN TRAINEE /IV without more than normal supervision. I have the ability to perform some tasks including electrical maintenance and repairs tasks. I have utilized tools of the trade and performed a variety of duties involving inspection, adjustment, maintenance, repair, or testing of electrical equipment. I work under supervision of a work leader or journey-level employee who reviews my work for completion. - 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
  • PHYSICAL EFFORT: Work requires extensive walking, standing, and climbing vertical and inclined ladders and stairs; and stooping, bending, kneeling, and crawling. Work may be done in awkward and cramped positions which may require the physical endurance to work under poor conditions for prolonged periods of time. Requires lifting and carrying tools, equipment and supplies frequently weighing up to and over 50 pounds. Required to operate large valves, apply servolocks, lift deck hatches, and perform other tasks requiring up to 75 pounds of pulling or turning force. There is danger of cuts, bruises and burns from equipment used and possible irritation or injury to eyes and spills from acids and solvents used. Must have good distant vision in each eye and be able to read fine calibrations; glasses permitted. Ability to distinguish basic colors is required. Ability to hear the conversational voice, with or without a hearing aid, is required. An amputation of arm, hand, leg or foot will normally disqualify an applicant for appointment. Any physical condition which would cause the applicant to be a hazard to his/herself or to others is disqualifying.
  • WORKING CONDITIONS: The principal assignment is to the powerhouse; however, the work area may include intake structures and spillway areas. When working outside, is exposed to the usual extremes of climate. Exposed to high noise levels from equipment and machinery, and exposed to heights, oils, greases, confined areas, dust, dirt, water, heat and cold, odors, fumes, and moving and/or energized equipment. There is danger of serious injury or death if employee contacts high voltage electricity, and danger of drowning when working above swift moving water. Is subject to the discomfort of wearing safety equipment such as hard hats, ear plugs, safety glasses, gloves, etc. 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.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

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.
  • This position requires a 1 year probationary period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.
  • Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
  • 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.
  • This is a(n) Materiel Maintenance Management Career Field position.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
  • Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
  • When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit https://www.dfas.mil/civilianemployees/civrelo/Civilian-Moving-Expenses-Tax-Deduction.htm for more information.
  • Permanent Change of Station (PCS) allowances may be authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations and an agency determination that a PCS move is in the Government Interest.
  • The Defense National Relocation Program (DNRP) is not authorized.
    The following incentives may be authorized: Relocation Incentive or Recruitment Incentive.
  • Not eligible for telework.
  • Requires employee to wear uniform and/or protective clothing.
  • May require working outside in all kinds of weather.
  • Management may select at any grade level announced, WB-00 Trainee III or WB-00 Trainee IV.
  • Noncompetitive promotion potential to intervening grade of WB-00 Trainee IV and full performance grade of WB-00 Power Plant Electrician DR.

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.

Once the announcement has closed, a review of 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. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

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.

Veterans and Military Spouses will be considered along with all other candidates.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Looking for a great place to work? The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is one of the best! In 2020, USACE ranked #2 of government large-agency subcomponent! USACE is one of the world's premier public engineering, design, and construction management agencies. We serve the American people, striving to provide the most effective engineering and environmental science solutions to the nation's complex problems affecting national security, the economy and the environment in which we live.

USACE offers a team-inspiring and collaborative work environment; providing challenging and rewarding careers across a variety of disciplines. We rely on leaders with vision, creativity, and programmatic and technical expertise to lead us into the future. Align your talents with your passion and find out why the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers is a great place to work!

Agency contact information

Army Applicant Help Desk
Website
https://portal.chra.army.mil/hr_public?id=app_inq
Address
RH-W2SJ07 USARMY ENGINEER DISTRICT-OMAHA
DO NOT MAIL
Omaha, NE 68102
US

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https://www.usace.army.mil/Careers/

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