The Fish and Wildlife Service Experienced Services Program was established to create a unique partnership to help solve the workforce issues facing government agencies. The Fish and Wildlife ESP connects experienced workers (age 55+) to the Fish and Wildlife Service to provide scientific, technical, and administrative services in support of the Fish and Wildlife Service priority multiple-use related programs and authorities. The experienced workers participating in the Program are referred to as Enrollee and are not employees of FWS or National Experienced Workforce Solutions (NEW Solutions). NEW Solutions is the ESP Non-governmental organization (NGO) responsible for administrative aspects of the Program, and the Enrollees work under Fish and Wildlife Service direction to assist the Agency staff in carrying out the Fish and Wildlife Service mission. Fish and Wildlife Service ESP Enrollees benefit from the opportunity to keep technical skills current, to access new training opportunities, to engage in gainful project-based positions, and to undertake meaningful tasks using their experience and talent to contribute to the environment, the national economy and their own financial security. Background security investigation may be required prior to start date. Location, hours and hourly pay are noted in this position description. FWS ESP positions are meant to provide temporary, project-based support. This position is currently funded for approximately 378 hours at 24 hours per week. (this is subject to change based on budget and other factors). |
Qualifications:Minimum of 10 year(s) of experience in heavy equipment operation OR HS/GED Degree - Extensive experience operating heavy equipment (backhoe, ag tractor, dozer, excavator, skid steer, grader, front end loader and grapple) required. CDL Class A is a plus but not required.
- Experience required with MS Word
- Minimal computer skills would be a plus
- MS Word skills would be a plus
Duties:This project's primary purpose is to assist with maintenance of refuge facilities and equipment within the Gulf Coast Complex. To do accomplish this goal, a maintenance worker/heavy equipment operator position will work 24 hours per week and the duties will include but are not limited to:
-Operate heavy equipment within accepted parameters (e.g., narrow quarters, such as close to buildings, drop-offs or other obstructions and challenging field conditions such as marshy, unsteady or steep surfaces).
-Operate a tractor with attachments such as mowers, cutter bars, augers, plows, harrows, sprayers, discs, front-end scoops, and backhoes.
-Clean, replace, or make minor adjustment to such parts as fuel, electrical, brakes, steering, regulators, water/fuel pumps, carburetors, cooling systems or attachments to vehicles or heavy equipment.
-Use carpentry power and hand tools such as hammers, hand and power saws, drills, planes, routers, sanders, and nail guns, using safety rules/regulations/ procedures to safeguard tools and equipment.
-Operate and maintain heavy motorized equipment (e.g. front-end loader, forklift, dump truck, farm agricultural tractor and implements, rubber tired backhoe/ loader, skid steer, excavator, bulldozer, road grader) and other pieces of equipment as needed for project activities.
-Apply shop mathematics, use measuring tools or instruments, follow oral and written instructions, use drawings, sketches, schematics, blueprints, etc. to determine work procedures and details of work layout.
-Lay out the installation, modification, or repair of systems for example: wiring systems in buildings, power and control circuits, and distribution panels.
-Obtain job related training including, but not limited to, US Fish and Wildlife Service Heavy Equipment training.
-Operate heavy equipment and other equipment according to US Fish and Wildlife Service policy. - Operating heavy equipment to keep grass mowed on trails, firebreaks, and around refuge infrastructure within the Gulf Coast Complex and Choctaw National Wildlife Refuge. 70%
- Ensure routine maintenance of the Gulf Coast Complex fleet and heavy equipment such as oil changes and tire rotations systems. 20%
- Keep facilities in safe working order by maintaining or outsourcing maintenance of HVAC, electrical and water supply. 10%
Other:- Required Certifications: Federal Heavy Equipment Operator (Preferred but not required)
- Travel Requirements: Potential travel to location for required heavy equipment training. A government vehicle will be provided for travel to refuges within the Gulf Coast Complex and Choctaw National Wildlife Refuge to conduct maintenance activities. Overnight travel will be available when working over two hours from the home station of Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge and maintenance activities and travel to a work site can?t be completed within 8 hours.
- Overnight travel: 4-5 days for overnight travel for training and possibly 2-4 nights per month for maintenance activities occurring more than two hours away from the home station of Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge where maintenance activities and travel to a work site can?t be completed within 8 hours.
- Government Vehicle Training: ?Online defensive driver training for enrollees will be provided. Training may be completed on personal computers on work time
- Health and Safety Considerations: Heavy equipment operation can be hazardous. All enrollees will be required to complete FWS Tier 1 and/or Tier 2 equipment training. Computer training will be required before access government computers if needed for this project. All trainings will be conducted after the assignment of the enrollee(s) to the position. Additional training may be required based on the needs of the project.
- Required Safety Gear: Safety toe boots, work gloves, hard hat, safety vest, hearing and eye protection. Additional PPE may be required based on the needs of the project.
- Physical requirements: Enrollee will be expected to work in field conditions operating heavy equipment. Exposure to high outdoor temperatures (>100°F), loud noises, and vibrations should be expected. Manual dexterity required for operation of equipment and safety checks. Lifting upwards of 50 lbs. may be required.
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