Power Plant Trainee I

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Competitive Personnel to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service. About the Position: You will serve as Power Plant Trainee 1 for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Operations Division, Blakely Power Plant.

Major duties

• Perform basic maintenance activities on plant equipment to include cleaning, greasing, and painting.
• Perform and train in the simple repetitive tasks of the trade, such as replacing parts, removing sub-assemblies from complex equipment, and making visual checks for damage.
• Operate electrical test equipment used in power production, including multimeters, oscilloscopes, and Digital Test Equipment.
• Assist higher-graded employees in installation, maintenance, repair, and operation activities.
• Read and interpret instructions, specifications, blueprints, diagrams, drawings, manuals, and other technical information pertinent to hydroelectric power plant operation, maintenance, and repair.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens In order to qualify, you must meet the experience requirements described below. 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. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document. Minimum Qualifications (Screen Out Element): You must have aptitude and interest for learning trade theory and practice. Typical examples include limited experience/training in the following: 1) utilizing hand tools to perform routine maintenance; 2) maintaining care of equipment involving cleaning, greasing, or painting parts; (3) and utilizing office automation equipment to prepare correspondence, documents and networked, and stand-alone computer systems equipped with electronic mail, calendar, graphics, and word processing programs. Exemplifies an interest and aptitude to readily perform routine maintenance duties related to this position, follow instructions provided by higher level employees, and adhere to safety rules. Failure to meet this Screen Out Element will result in an ineligible rating. Physical Effort: Employee frequently lifts, carries or otherwise handles items weighing up to 50 pounds. Occasionally handles items greater than 50 pounds. Assistance is available with heavy items. Works in sitting, standing, walking, bending, crouching, reaching, and stooping positions, for extended periods if required. Working Conditions: Work is required to be performed both inside and outside and is subject to all extremes of weather. Incumbent is subjected to the danger of falls from scaffolds and slings, asbestos, carbon dust, fumes, electric shock, noise, moving machinery, close places in cramped positions, slippery conditions both water and grease, frequent travel, and other conditions expected from mechanical and electrical repair of power plant equipment. Incumbent is subject to abrasions, burns, cuts, and bruises common to the use of hand tools. Employee is required to observe established safe working procedures. Wearing of respirators, hard hats, hard toe footwear, gloves, goggles, face shields, rubber aprons, rainwear, and earplugs is mandatory in the performance of duties. The principal assignment is to the powerhouse; however the work area may include intake structures, and spillway areas. Work is principally indoors in a well heated, lighted and ventilated environment, but occasional outdoor work exposes employee to usual climate extremes. Exposed to equipment and machinery noises, heights, oils, greases, confined areas, dust, dirt, water, heat and cold, odors, fumes, and moving and/or energized equipment. Occasionally works in proximity to high voltages and currents. Is subject to the discomfort of safety equipment required such as hard-hats and ear plugs. 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.

Education

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/