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Locomotive Engineer

Department of the Army
U.S. Army Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Please limit your resume to 5 pages. If more than 5 pages are submitted, only the first 5 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.

About the Position: Serves as a locomotive engineer on a 120 ton diesel electric locomotive. Operates locomotives under various conditions.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
06/24/2025 to 06/30/2025
Salary
$29.84 to - $34.82 per hour
Pay scale & grade
WG 9
Location
Southport, NC
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
CHDE256016311251DR
Control number
839228100

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Duties

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  • Operate one or more diesel electric locomotives (normally 120 ton) to move a variety of sizes, weights and number of railroad cars containing hazardous cargo.
  • Follow railroad and locomotive safety rules and procedures to operate under adverse weather conditions and/or poor visibility.
  • Perform routine maintenance and repairs to railroad box cars, flat cars, and locomotives.
  • Perform coupling and uncoupling operations involved in making and breaking up trains.
  • Receive and relay messages to the crew for placement of train cars.
  • Plan the best sequence of arranging, picking up and setting out train cars.
  • Check engines, brakes, warning devices, reversing lever, sander, air, oil, electrical and temperature gauges for proper operation.

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.
  • Inclement weather essential.
  • Incumbent must be able to maintain licensing and certification as an operating locomotive engineer and also maintain verification of this degree of technical competence.
  • This position has a Temporary Duty (TDY) or business travel requirement of up to 5% of the time
  • Position is subject to pre-employment and random drug testing.
  • This is a designated Key position.

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) Locomotive Engineer~ without more than normal supervision. Ability to operate locomotive vehicles and equipment. Ability to operate locomotives to pull train cars and cargo. Ability to follow railroad signaling, railroad safety rules and procedures. - 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 (Screen-out Element)
  • Ability to Drive Safely (Motor Vehicles)
  • Ability To Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (related to mobile equipment operation)
  • Ability To Operate Safely (Non-Motor Vehicle)
  • Operation of Motor Vehicles
  • Reliability and Dependability as a Mobile Equipment Operator
  • Work Practices (includes keeping things neat, clean, and in order)
  • PHYSICAL EFFORT: The locomotive engineers must be able to climb up and down steep steps or ladders to board and leave the train. They continuously manipulate hand-operated controls while stretching, turning, and shifting position for best visibility. The locomotive engineers are also subject to physical strain from swaying motions and jarring movements, particularly when coupling cars and running on rough track.
  • WORKING CONDITIONS: The locomotive engineers work in a cab which is often hot or cold. They are sometimes exposed to bad weather, particularly when operating with an open cab window. They are exposed to unpleasant fuel exhaust fumes and to jarring, jolting, and swaying movements. The locomotive engineers are continuously exposed to loud noise from engine operation, train whistle, and horn. They are exposed to possible injuries from accidents.

Education

Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted.

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.
  • 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) Logistics Career Field position.
  • Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
  • If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
  • 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.

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. If you are minimally qualified, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. 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. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

You should list any relevant performance appraisals and incentive awards in your resume as that information may be taken into consideration during the selection process. If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation.

Basis for Rating: Qualified candidates will be assigned to one of three quality categories: Best Qualified, Highly Qualified and Qualified. Veteran preference eligibles are listed ahead of non-preference eligibles within each quality category.

  • Best Qualified. Candidates in this category possess exceptional skills and experience to exceed well above the minimum requirements for the announced position.
  • Highly Qualified. Candidates in this category possess good skills and experience above the minimum requirements for the announced position.
  • Qualified. Candidates in this category meet the minimum experience requirements for the announced position.
You may claim Military Spouse preference.

You may claim Priority Placement Program (PPP) preference.

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.

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