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Control Center Operator

Department of the Interior
Bureau of Reclamation
Power Office, Glen Canyon Field Division, Operations Group

Summary

Reclamation is seeking a career professional looking for an opportunity to capitalize on their expertise as a Control Center Operator. Make a difference in the West by assisting in meeting increasing water demands while protecting the environment.

Work Schedule: 12 hour rotating shifts to include swing shift, graveyard shift, holidays, and weekends.

Duty location: Glen Canyon Dam, Page, AZ.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Location
2 vacancies 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
$59.93 - $59.93 per hour
Pay scale & grade
BB 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
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
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
CBVJ-27-13106320-ST-NAW
Control number
891190500

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Duties

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The Primary duties of this position are performing a variety of journeyman level power systems control duties for dams, hydroelectric power plants and related facilities from the Control Center, working on a rotating basis with Senior Control Operator on a shift to accomplish overall operation of the power plant and water system.

Performs inspections of dams, power plants, and other facilities in normal and emergency situations in accordance with Standing Operating procedures and Emergency Preparedness Plans.

Directs, prepares, and performs switching and tagging operations to accomplish and issue clearances, hot line orders, general switching and special conditions on all delegated facilities.

Receives requests for water releases from irrigation district representatives and verifies the authority of those making requests.

Operates, inspects, cleans, and lubricates power plant turbines, generators, governors, and auxiliary equipment, including, air compressors, sump pumps, batteries, etc.

Assesses all security alarms during shift and reports to proper authority.

Trains apprentices, power plant operators and other operations personnel in computer and equipment operation through instruction and observation of work under simulated and actual operating conditions.

Responsible for complying with safety instructions and regulations, ensuring individual's safety and promptly reporting unsafe acts, conditions, and accidents to the supervisor.

Working Conditions: The work is accomplished in and around dams, power plants, and related facilities with exposure to high levels of noise, moving parts, hazardous materials, and electrical hazards. Work is also performed outside under prevailing weather and terrain conditions. Some work assignments are performed in confined spaces, closed and restricted quarters, and at substantial heights. May be required to work at CRT screens for long periods.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
  • Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
  • Direct Deposit participation required.
  • Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/.
  • Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.
  • Position requires a pre-employment physical examination.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1 year probationary period to evaluate your fitness and whether your continuation of employment advances the public interest.

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

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-11/13/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

This is a journey-level Control Center Operator for high voltage power systems and is an occupation for which a 4-year (8,000) apprenticeship program has been established between the Bureau of Reclamation, Upper Colorado Region, and the Department of Labor.

Applicants should have completed a formal apprentice program in Control Center Operations, or equivalent apprentice program; or possess journey-level control center operator experience in power generating systems supplemented by formal training and college level/technical course work (military or technical trade schools) which provided knowledge of and competency in control center operator trade practices.

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. Ability to interpret instructions, specifications, etc.
  3. Dexterity and safety.
  4. Knowledge of equipment assembly, installation, repair, etc.
  5. Operation of Job family specific equipment, machinery, etc.
  6. Technical practices
  7. Use of measuring instruments
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. Your resume must support your response to the assessment questionnaire, and if it does not, your application will be marked as not eligible. 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. You must meet at least 2 points on the screen-out element(s) and obtain an average of at least 2 points on all of the job elements to be considered qualified for this position.

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.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS) expenses or first-post-of-duty relocation expenses are authorized, as applicable, with the exception of the Guaranteed Home Sale Provision. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), signed into law December 2017, suspends the moving expense deduction and the exclusion from income of qualified employer reimbursements of moving expenses that was allowed under previous tax laws. Employer reimbursements for moving costs are now generally taxed at the same rate as ordinary income.

If otherwise eligible and qualified, you may be offered a recruitment or relocation incentive. The decision to offer an incentive will be made on a case-by-case basis and is neither promised nor guaranteed. For information visit: Recruitment Incentive or Relocation Incentive. A continued service agreement may be required if it is determined you are eligible for a permanent change in duty station (PCS), recruitment, or relocation incentive.

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.

Physical Demands: Exerts moderately heavy physical effort which includes lifting and carrying items weighing 50 pounds, with occasional lifting up to
100 pounds. Climbing ladders and stairs, walking, standing, kneeling, crawling, or bending for long periods of time may be required
in performing duties.

Working Conditions: The work is accomplished in and around dams, power plants, and related facilities with exposure to high levels of noise, moving parts, hazardous materials, and electrical hazards. Work is also performed outside under prevailing weather and terrain conditions. Some work assignments are performed in confined spaces, closed and restricted quarters, and at substantial heights. May be required to work at CRT screens for long periods.

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
  • Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (Other Than Blueprint Reading)
  • Dexterity and Safety
  • Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation, and Repair, etc.
  • Operation of Job Family Specify Equipment, Machinery, etc.
  • Technical Practices (Theoretical, Precise, Artistic)
  • Use of Measuring Instruments


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

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.

Current or former displaced Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, you must be well-qualified, score at least 85 (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors, experience and/or physical requirements), and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry.

Bureau of Reclamation

The Department of the Interior protects and manages the Nation's natural resources and cultural heritage; provides scientific and other information about those resources; and honors its trust responsibilities or special commitments to American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and affiliated Island Communities. Click here to learn more about the Department of the Interior and its bureaus.

The mission of the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) is to manage, develop, and protect water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner in the interest of the American public. Click here to learn more about the Bureau of Reclamation.

Agency contact information

Nicole Wilson
Phone
000-000-0000
Email
nicole_wilson@ios.doi.gov
Address
Upper Colorado Basin Region, Power Office
Bureau of Reclamation
125 South State Street
Room 8100
Salt Lake City, UT 84138
US

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