Engineering Operator Specialist

Engineering Equipment Operating

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WG-5716

Position Overview

DOI sites, from scenic Parkways to campgrounds to reservoirs, need skilled and dedicated heavy equipment operators to help build or repair roads, clear ditches, break new ground for dams, clear brush and tree stumps for new trails, and support fire suppression activities on firelines and help reclaim burned land.

This position is represented at the following bureaus

Bureau of Indian Affairs
Bureau of Indian Education
Bureau of Land Management
Bureau of Reclamation
National Park Service
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Candidate Description

The ideal candidate is dependable, can obtain and maintain a Commercial Driver’s License, and is able to concentrate, follow instructions and safety requirements while operating heavy equipment.

Engineering Operator Specialist
Engineering Operator Specialist
Engineering Operator Specialist
Engineering Operator Specialist

Work Environment

Work is physically strenuous and performed outdoors in all types of weather and sometimes on difficult terrain, involving exposure to noise, vibration, dust, dirt, fumes, temperature and weather extremes, and potential injury.

Career Level Requirements

Responsibilities by Level

  • Mid:

    • Learning to operate equipment on flat terrain and open areas to cut brush, grade or compact soil, or load and move stones or dirt
    • Assisting journey workers by connecting and disconnecting auxiliary attachments
    • Performing minor maintenance on equipment

  • Journey:

    • Operating road graders, tractors, front-end loaders, excavators, backhoes, wheel loaders, trench diggers or similar equipment with or without auxiliary attachments
    • Excavating, backfilling, grading, or leveling earth
    • Performing routine maintenance and safety inspections on equipment and vehicles and updating vehicle records

  • Senior:

    • Developing or adjusting work plans
    • Observing and demonstrating proper work methods
    • Answering questions and providing guidance to workers
    • Ensuring safety rules are followed
    • Inspecting and approving completed work; Reporting work progress and problems

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Strengths by Level

Mid 3-7
Journey 8-10
Senior 11
  • Accountability
    Holds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results. Determines objectives, sets priorities, and delegates work. Accepts responsibility for mistakes. Complies with established control systems and rules.
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    Mid 3-7
    Journey 8-10
    Senior 11
  • Attention to Detail
    Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
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    Mid 3-7
    Journey 8-10
    Senior 11
  • Decision Making
    Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals; causes change.
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    Mid 3-7
    Journey 8-10
    Senior 11
  • Depth Perception
    Accurately judges which of several objects is closer or farther away from the observer, or the distance between an object and the observer.
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    Mid 3-7
    Journey 8-10
    Senior 11
  • Physical Strength and Agility
    Ability to bend, lift, climb, stand, and walk for long periods of time; ability to perform moderately heavy laboring work.
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    Mid 3-7
    Journey 8-10
    Senior 11
  • Self-Management
    Sets well-defined and realistic personal goals; displays a high level of initiative, effort, and commitment towards completing assignments in a timely manner; works with minimal supervision; is motivated to achieve; demonstrates responsible behavior.
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    Mid 3-7
    Journey 8-10
    Senior 11
  • Spatial Orientation
    Knows one's location in relation to the environment; determines where other objects are in relation to one's self (for example, when using a map).
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    Mid 3-7
    Journey 8-10
    Senior 11
  • Stamina
    Exerts oneself physically over long periods of time without tiring (which may include performing repetitive tasks such as data entry or coding).
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    Mid 3-7
    Journey 8-10
    Senior 11
  • Teaching Others
    Helps others learn through formal or informal methods; identifies training needs; provides constructive feedback; coaches others on how to perform tasks; acts as a mentor.
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    Mid 3-7
    Journey 8-10
    Senior 11
  • Teamwork
    Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.
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    Mid 3-7
    Journey 8-10
    Senior 11

Common Pathways

Candidates who made this career change most commonly held these occupations...

0462 - Forestry Technician 5.1%
5803 - Heavy Mobile Equipment Mechanic 4.5%
5705 - Tractor Operating 4%
0459 - Irrigation System Operation 2.3%
5738 - Railroad Maint Vehicle Operating 2.3%
Less Common Pathways (<2%)

Where We Are

DOI employs people at more than 2,400 locations across the United States and territories. Use the Position Locator tool to see where current DOI employees work. To check for job opportunities, scroll down and click "See jobs on USAjobs.gov."

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