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Power Plant Electrician Trainee III

Department of the Army
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Omaha District - Operations DIvision, Big Bend Project

Summary

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for certain competitive positions to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.

About the Position: This position is located at Big Bend Project Office, operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and situated in Fort Thompson, South Dakota.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted this week · Apply by 07/07/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on July 7, 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 - $48.91 per hour
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 - You may be expected to travel for this position.
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 - 12992001 - DHA
Control number
873943900

Duties

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  • Works under the direction and guidance of a journeyman electrician performing a wide variety of duties involved in the inspection, adjustment, maintenance, repair, testing, installation and modifications for the electrical equipment and systems.
  • Installs, modifies, tests, troubleshoots, repairs and maintains a wide variety of electrical and electronic equipment common to hydroelectric power plants, switchyards and associated water control structures.
  • Incumbent will be repairing and maintaining the following equipment:
  • High voltage switchyard equipment such as breakers, transformers, manually and motor operated disconnect switches, lightning arresters, instrument transformers and potential devices and cable systems.
  • Protective relaying systems for high voltage transmission lines, feeder circuits, generators, transformers, switchyard busses, and cable systems.
  • Hardwired and digital computer based automatic supervisory control, data acquisition and alarm and event recording systems, including automatic generation, voltage control, telemetering, and communication systems
  • Instrumentation systems such as indicating meters and recording systems for temperature, liquid levels, and flows, gate positions, watts, vars, voltage, amperes, frequency, and pressures.
  • High/Low and medium voltage switchgear, and power distribution centers and cable systems including project utilities such as power distribution lines, feeders and transformers.

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.
  • Required to pass a pre-employment physical and annual physical examination to ensure required level of physical health and ability or fitness to perform the duties of the position.
  • This is a random drug and alcohol testing position under the Department of Army Drug-Free Workplace Program as supplemented by USACE ER 690-1-1218.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a valid state driver's license.

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.



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) Power Plant Electrician Trainee III without more than normal supervision. Must have the ability to perform some electrical maintenance, such as testing and troubleshooting electrical components and low voltage distribution systems under the supervision of the supervisor and/or electrician with inspection performed at the completion of each task. Received training/schooling on electrical systems and can read electrical drawings. Experience was acquired in an industrial setting.- 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 Use and Maintain Hand Tools (Electrical Work)
  • Ability To Use Electrical Drawings
  • Knowledge of Electrical Equipment
  • Technical Practices (theoretical, precise, artistic)
  • Theory and Instruments (Electrical Electronic) Used in Shop and Trade Practices
  • Trouble shooting (electrical)
  • 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 hart 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.
  • Physical Efforts: 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.

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.
  • 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) Installation Management 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.
  • Relocation Incentive may be authorized.
  • This is a trainee position that leads into the full performance journeyman position of Power Plant Electrician (DR).
  • Position has non-competitive promotion potential to Power Plant Power Plant Electrician (DR).
  • Position has non-competitive promotion potential to Power Plant Power Plant Electrician Trainee IV.

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.

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.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Civilian employees serve a vital role in supporting the Army mission. They provide the skills that are not readily available in the military, but crucial to support military operations. The Army integrates the talents and skills of its military and civilian members to form a Total Army.

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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