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Marine Machinery Repairer

Department of the Interior
National Park Service
Isle Royale National Park

Summary

This position is part of the Facilities Management Division at Isle Royale National Park. The duty station is located at Isle Royale National Park in Michigan. The incumbent of this position lives and works on-island during the operating season (approximately late April-October) and is responsible for all marine maintenance. Their work supports most automotive and equipment maintenance activities related to the operation of a large inventory of gasoline and diesel-powered equipment.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted yesterday · Apply by 08/13/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on August 13, 2026
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—Employer paid and reimbursed relocation expenses are considered taxable income. The NPS does not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. Employees should consult professional tax, legal and accounting advisors regarding concerns about the financial implications of a Permanent Change of Station (PCS).
Salary
$29.05 - $33.90 per hour
Pay scale & grade
WG 9
Promotion potential
None
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time - Career Seasonal subject to periods of non-pay.
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
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
MW-6310-ISRO-26-13020703-MP
Control number
878539000

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

All current or former career/career-conditional federal employees with competitive/reinstatement eligibility; Eligible applicants under: Veterans' Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA); CTAP/ICTAP within the local commuting area; Special Hiring Authorities; Current or former time-limited employees under PL-114-47, Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA); All former PLC members meeting PLC requirements.

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Duties

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Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following:

  • Performs installation, inspection, troubleshooting, maintenance, overhaul and repair of gasoline and diesel-powered marine engines, propulsion systems, and related vessel equipment.
  • Fabricates and repairs metal and marine components, including welding, hull repairs, and the preparation and painting of boats, vehicles, and equipment.
  • Services, repairs, rebuilds, maintains and operates generators, as well as pumps, UTVs, lawn equipment, and other small engine-powered machinery to support operational needs.
  • Manages equipment and parts inventories, coordinates procurement and repair contracts, operates boats and heavy equipment, and assists with safety, boating, and equipment operator training programs.
  • Conducts routine preventive maintenance, diagnostics, and repairs on wheeled and tracked motor vehicles, such as tractors and heavy equipment, to ensure safe and reliable operation.

Career-Seasonal appointments are permanent positions and include the same benefits as Career appointments, but do not provide work on a year-round basis. You will work approximately 7.5 months in pay status, and you will be in a non-pay status 4.5 months (months ranging from mid-November to early April) depending on weather and workload priorities.

Physical Effort: Required to occasionally lift and carry objects weighing 80 pounds or more. Bending, stretching, stooping, pushing, pulling, climbing on ladders or scaffolding, walking, running and wading may be necessary to perform all major responsibilities as assigned. Work is frequently performed in cramped areas of watercraft. Administrative work is primarily sedentary and performed in an office setting.

Working Conditions: Working Conditions are extremely challenging because of the park's remoteness, the unpredictability of Lake Superior and the lack of overland transportation routes. Boats are the only practical method of transporting equipment, materials, supplies, and personnel to and through this park. These factors create a maintenance operation more complex and more difficult than is indicated by a statistical breakdown of facilities, personnel, visitation, land area, and equipment inventories.

Work is primarily performed primarily in a field setting with temperatures varying from -20 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Weather conditions may include heat, cold, rain, snow, fog, smoke from wildland fires and wind. Incumbent will operate various vessels ranging in size from 12 to 70 feet in length on Lake Superior. Vessel operation occurs in varying types of weather, wind, and sea conditions mostly during day light hours. The incumbent will be exposed to smoke and fumes from vehicles and equipment, loud noises, and slippery surfaces. The position will involve exposure to hazards and risk situations relating to mechanical equipment, utility systems, tight or confined spaces, and areas requiring the use of agency-provided personal protective equipment (PPE). Occasional travel, including overnight travel, is required. The work environment includes frequent interaction with park staff, and occasionally the public, in both routine and emergency situations. Incumbent may be called out at any time of the day or night as emergencies dictate.

Area information: From mid-April through October, this position is required to live and work in the park, which is approximately 70 miles by water or sea plane from Houghton, Michigan. Isle Royale is a large, remote, isolated island in northwestern Lake Superior and is 99% designated wilderness. The park offers superb recreational opportunities such as boating, kayaking, canoeing, backpacking, camping, fishing, hiking, and more. Transportation for visitors, employees, and their families, as well as mail, groceries, and other supplies/equipment are provided via the park's ship, the M.V. Ranger III. Furnished government housing is provided on the island with a bi-weekly rental deduction. There are no roads, limited amenities, and limited opportunity to travel to the mainland. To protect Isle Royale's fauna from disease, pets are prohibited.

In November-April, the employee will report to work in Houghton or Calumet, MI. Houghton has a population of approximately 10,000 and is a full-service community with schools, churches, medical services, shopping, and abundant outdoor recreational opportunities. Higher education facilities are available at Michigan Technological University. Houghton is one of several towns and villages within commuting distance on the Keweenaw Peninsula. Area housing is available for purchase in a wide range of prices from $100,000 to $500,000. Rentals range from $800 to $3,000 per month but are often more difficult to find. Winter snowfall averages between 150 and 200 inches per year creating abundant opportunities for snowmobiling, snowshoeing, cross-country and downhill skiing in the area.

For more information: www.nps.gov/ISRO

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship required.
  • Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
  • Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males
  • Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
  • Any individual who is currently holding, or has held within the previous 52 weeks, a General Schedule position under non-temporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service, must meet time-in-grade requirements (must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent in the Federal service); with few exceptions as outlined in 5 CFR 300.603(b).
  • You will be required to submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test result prior to appointment. In addition, this position is subject to random testing for illegal drug use.
  • You will be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties; a valid driver's license is required. You will be required to submit a Motor Vehicle Operator's License and Driving Record. You must also submit (within a State sealed envelope or submitted directly by the State authorities), and at your own expense, all certified driving records from all States that disclose all valid driver's licenses, whether current or past, possessed by you.
  • You will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
  • You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, and overtime
  • Occupancy of government quarters is required. The employee will be required to reside in government assigned housing from April to October each year. Rent will be automatically deducted from your pay on a pre-tax basis. However, NO park housing is available when the island is closed during the off-season, November to mid-April.
  • You are required to obtain and maintain a Motorboat Operator Certification Course (MOCC) within one (1) year of EOD.
  • You are required to obtain and maintain a Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) First Responder Training within one (1) year of EOD.
  • You are required to obtain and maintain a First Aid and CPR Certificate within one (1) year of EOD.
  • You are required to obtain and maintain a Contracting Officers Representative (COR) certificate within two (2) years of EOD.
Additional Requirements located under Qualifications -

Qualifications

Requirements Continued -

  • You may be required to travel overnight away from home. You must obtain a government charge card for travel purposes.
  • Government Charge Card: You may be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority.
  • Applicants must be at least (1)18 years old or (2) at least 16 years old and: (a) Have graduated from high school or been awarded a certificate equivalent to graduating from high school; or (b) Have completed a formal vocational training program; or (c) Have received a statement from school authorities agreeing with their preference for employment rather than continuing their education; or (d) Be currently enrolled in a secondary school and either work only during school vacation periods or work part-time during the school year under a formal student employment program.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a one (1) year probationary period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated. This probationary period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider:

  • your performance and conduct;
  • the needs and interests of the agency;
  • whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
  • whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated.Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications:

In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's Federal Wage System Qualification Standards.

To qualify for this position, you must have sufficient knowledge and ability in the following job-related factors:
  1. Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision (SCREEN OUT)
  2. Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair, etc.
  3. Technical Practices (theoretical, precise, artistic
  4. Ability To Interpret Instructions, Specification, etc. (includes blueprinting reading)
  5. Ability To Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
  6. Knowledge of Materials
  7. Trouble shooting
If your knowledge and ability in the SCREEN OUT factor above is not sufficient, you will receive no further consideration. In preparing your application, describe in detail the experience and training which you have had that specifically prepared you for this job and to perform the duties described for this job. Experience should be clearly described and documented in your resume. The qualifications reviewer will not assume performance of such duties by Job Titles alone. Address your knowledge, skills and/or abilities in the areas shown in the job-related factors.

Volunteer Experience: 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.

Education

There is no substitution of education for experience for Federal Wage System (FWS) positions.

Additional information

Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.

All DOI employees, their spouses, and minor children may not acquire or retain any claim, permit, lease, small tract entry, or other rights granted by the Department in Federal lands, with limited exceptions. Additional ethics prohibitions can be found here, DOI Ethics Prohibitions | U.S. Department of the Interior.

A selectee receiving a first appointment to the Federal Government (Civil Service) is entitled only to the lowest step of the grade for which selected the display of a salary range on this vacancy shall not be construed as granting an entitlement to a higher rate of pay.

Documentation for the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) eligibility, submission of ALL SF-50s and performance information for each period of temporary/term employment that qualifies for LMWFA. Performance documentation can be obtained by contacting the supervisors for the positions you served in during your 24 months. If they did not complete performance appraisals, ask them to provide a statement of performance for each period of service. The statement must specify the dates for each employment period and your level of performance (dates should match the dates on the SF-50s).

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.

A review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses provided in the Assessment Questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation, you will be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score will be adjusted accordingly. If a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications or experience, you can lose consideration for this position.

Your resume must not exceed 2 pages. Only the document submitted as the "Resume" under the Documents section will be used to determine your qualifications/eligibility and for rating purposes. In the event you submit more than one resume, only the latest submission will be reviewed.

You will be assessed in the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):
  • Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision (SCREEN OUT)
  • Ability To Interpret Instructions, Specification, etc. (includes blueprints reading)
  • Ability To Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
  • Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation Repair, etc.
  • Knowledge of materials
  • Technical Practices (theoretical precise, artistic)
  • Trouble shooting


All qualified non-competitive applicants and the best-qualified Merit Promotion applicants will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration.

DUE WEIGHT: Please submit 1) a copy of your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation and 2) a list of any awards (e.g. superior performance awards, special act or achievement awards, quality step increase, etc.) you received in the last 5 years. Any performance appraisal/evaluation and award documentation you provide will be forwarded to the selecting official. The selecting official will review this documentation and give it due weight consideration during the overall selection process. If you do not have your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation, you must submit a statement as to why it is not available. Please indicate if any prior performance appraisals/evaluations were at an acceptable level.

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration or your score may be lowered. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position.

Current surplus and current or former displaced Federal individuals who have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. Well qualified means that the applicant meets the following: OPM qualification standards for the position; all selective placement factors, where applicable; special qualifying conditions that OPM has approved for the position, where applicable; is physically qualified with reasonable accommodation, where appropriate to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and is rated by the organization at least at the well qualified level.

National Park Service

The mission of the National Park Service is to preserve the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. You can make a difference by bringing your unique experience, background, and perspective to our work. Click here to learn more about the National Park Service.

Agency contact information

Julie Ortiz
Email
julie_ortiz@ios.doi.gov
Address
Isle Royale National Park
800 East Lakeshore Drive
Houghton, MI 49931
US

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