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Maintenance Worker Helper

Department of the Army
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Operations Division, Maintenance Section

Summary

About the Position: As a Maintenance Worker Helper you will perform a variety of tasks to maintain the locks and dams and channel structures. Incumbent will become familiar with and assist journeymen level employees in the following categories: welding, deckhand duties, mechanical maintenance, masonry-cement finishing, carpentry, painting and electrical work.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted today · Apply by 07/27/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on July 27, 2026
Location
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$25.75 - $30.01 per hour
Pay scale & grade
WG 5
Promotion potential
8
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
76% or greater - 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
No
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
CEDC-26-13008217-DHA
Control number
876850500

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Duties

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  • Perform a variety of duties involving the maintenance and repair of grounds, buildings, and general equipment.
  • Use a variety of small powered hand tools in clearing grounds or minor construction and/or renovation work.
  • Perform a variety of manual labor duties in support of the organization.
  • Apply trade methods and manual welding processes to repair items that are typically part of lock and dam facility operating equipment.
  • Other misc duties such as: carpentry, painting, masonry, electrical work, deckhand duties and plumbing.

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.
  • Must possess a valid State motor vehicle operator's license for the class of vehicle being operated based on site specific, job related requirements, and must maintain this license.
  • A medical examination is required. If selected, satisfactory completion of a medical examination is required before assignment to the position.
  • Subsequent annual physicals required for the position.
  • Must comply with Drug Abuse Testing Program requirements. This position is a Testing Designated Position (TDP) subject to applicant testing and random drug testing.

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.

Minimum Qualifications (Screen Out Element): Ability to do the work of a(n) Maintenance Worker Helper~ without more than normal supervision. To meet the screen out element, applicants should document experience and/or show the ability to be reliable and dependable in the performance of common Maintenance Worker Helper tasks. They have the ability to use basic hand tools to perform grounds and/or building maintenance. - Failure to meet this Screen out Element will result in an ineligible rating.

  • Ability To Follow Directions in a Shop
  • Ability to Work as a Member of a Team
  • Dexterity and Safety
  • Reliability And Dependability
  • Shop Aptitude and Interest
  • Physical Effort: Maintenance work requires general continuous moderate to demanding physical effort in handling of equipment and tools, while working from scaffolds, standing, stooping, bending, working overhead, etc., along with stretching, working in cramped positions and spaces, and handling or maneuvering bulky equipment. Deckhand work requires standing on metal vibrating surfaces for long periods of time. Employee is frequently required to lift ropes, cables, chains, blocks, etc., up to 50 pounds, for distances usually not more than 35-50 feet, for long periods of time.
  • Working Conditions: Work crews are routinely assigned to remote locations not only within the duty location River Project, but also other area projects and potentially other MVD Districts. Work assignments are typically on an ongoing basis and are accomplished within several weeks to months. Depending upon type of duties being performed, works either outside under a complete variety of weather conditions typical of the geographic area, or inside normally in heated or semi-heated areas. Employee is subject to working in cramped quarters, in and around open and moving water on barges that have no guard rails and the walking surface can be slippery when wet or icy. Subject to normal cuts and bruises associated with handling a variety of hand tools and/or more serious injury associated with power tools, mobile equipment, dropped cables or chains in addition to bodily injury from snapped lines. Employees are required to follow established safe working procedures. Appropriate personal protective equipment is provided to minimize or reduce hazardous conditions, and its use is mandatory.

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 periodduring 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) Material Maintenance Management Career Field position.
  • 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.
  • This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel of DoD Workforce to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.

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.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

At the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), we do not just construct infrastructure; we engineer the future of our Nation. From securing vital water resource infrastructure and restoring fragile ecosystems to designing world-class facilities for our armed forces and responding to natural disasters, our work touches lives every day.

By joining USACE, you will have the opportunity to contribute to high-impact, meaningful projects, collaborate with a diverse network of dedicated professionals, and advance your career. Here, your skills do not just build structures; they build national resilience, protect local communities, and support a safer, stronger tomorrow.

Build Strong With Us - explore our opportunities and engineer your legacy today.

Agency contact information

Army Applicant Help Desk
Website
https://portal.chra.army.mil/hr_public?id=app_inq
Address
RG-W2R905 US ARMY ENGINEER DISTRICT-ROCK ISLAND
DO NOT MAIL
Rock Island, IL 61204
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

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

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