Trades Helper Linehandler (Relief Pool) (Open to both U.S. Citizens and Federal Employees)

Summary The position is located in Massena, NY. You will serve as both a Trades Helper and a Linehandler relief for our Maintenance and Lock Operations Divisions. PLEASE NOTE: This is an open continuous 30 day vacancy with an initial cut-off after 14 days. After the first certificate, we will review applications as needed and refer the top candidates for potential interviews during the open period of the announcement. Responsibilities Trades Helper work is performed primarily in a compressed 12 hour schedule. Assists journey level trades workers by performing the duties associated with improvements to, and maintenance of, electrical and mechanical. You may also assist journey level employees in other trades. Linehandler work is performed during the navigation season (March through December) on an as needed basis for emergency or operational needs. All work is performed on a 24-hour basis, seven days a week, on rotating day and night 12 hour shifts, with rotating days and weekends off. Duties include handling of pleasure craft and collection of pleasure craft fees. Passes/receives messenger/mooring lines or wires to/from vessels to secure them in the lock chamber or on approach walls as necessary. Operates an electrically powered capstan to pull-up a commercial vessel's mooring wires. Observes for unusual occurrences during a lockage, positions vessels in the chamber and communicates with all personnel involved with the lockage evolution. Lock & Dam: Dam Operator work is primarily from a computer console to actuate lock machinery, such as gates, valves, fender booms, air curtains, hands-free mooring units, etc. Monitors multiple visual indicators and gathers critical information from computer data to determine proper positioning of hands-free mooring equipment and to safely control the rate of water flow in and out of the lock chamber, preventing danger to equipment or vessels due to excessive surge or turbulence. If selected for Marine Helper work as a deckhand on the Corporation's tugs, barges and workboats, work is generally performed during fall and spring commissioning and decommissioning of navigation aids (buoy runs), which may require a significant amount of overtime and travel. The ideal candidate for this position will have trades helper knowledge in carpentry, and/or knowledge of working in a marine environment and also have basic computer skills. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S.Citizen and eligible for consideration. You must meet specialized experience to qualify. Required documents must be submitted by the closing date. Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance the organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. 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. SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service. GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: This position involves travel. A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only. BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: A background security investigation is required for all selected individuals. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of the security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to meet these requirements will be grounds for termination. Working Conditions for Essential Functions: Work assignments are both inside and outside. When inside, employee is frequently exposed to drafts, changing temperatures, and noise that is difficult to talk above. When outside, may work in bad weather, in mud or snow, in wet or icy areas, and on slippery decks. Both inside and outside, employee is frequently exposed to irritation or discomfort from dust, heat, fumes, and from hard, damp floors or ground. DEU REQUIREMENTS: Applicants selected under delegated examining procedures may be required to successfully complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed). *Please see the "other information" section for additional Conditions of Employment. Qualifications Qualifications for the position are based on the training, experience, or other requirements that determine which applicants would be able to perform satisfactorily in the position to be filled. Your application will be rated on the following job elements: Ability to the work of the position without more than normal supervision, where ability to do the less difficult tasks is prime. Including Operation of Lock and Dam Equipment – Computer Controls. Ability to work safely. Technical Practices. Use of Measuring Instruments. Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. 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. Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. If you do not meet the minimum levels in the ability to do the work OR if you do not meet the minimum level overall, you will be disqualified. This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate. Education Additional Information ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: Physical Effort for Essential Functions: Frequently lifts and turns while handling lines weighing up to 100 pounds, generally with another Lock Operations employee. Frequently required to climb ladders, walk over rough terrain, climb towers, reach, twist, turn, bend, and squat, often while wearing safety equipment. May be required to stand for long periods or to board craft from lock walls, docks, or shoreline areas. Perception of distance and motion and coordination of hands and eyes are necessary when spotting vessels entering and leaving the locks, in handling lines during marine work, and in performing Trades Helper duties. For general maintenance work, is required to expend moderate to heavy effort for extended periods of time, such as mowing lawns behind a walking mower, shoveling snow, sweeping walkways, sandblasting, hammering, using a chain saw, or jack hammering. The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Transportation and its Operating Administrations from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to the Department of Transportation by email at, [email protected]. To learn more, please visit our page at: The Fair Chance to Compete Act | US Department of Transportation CURRENT OR FORMER FEDERAL APPLICANTS: You must submit SF-50(s) that verify your highest competitive grade, full performance level, and federal applicant eligibility. To prove you meet the 52-week time-in-grade requirement for the highest grade level requested, you must submit SF-50 documentation showing a sequential 52-week period. Box 4 of the SF-50 must show an effective date at least 52 weeks prior to the job announcement closing date. Do not submit an award SF-50 or a current-year pay adjustment SF-50, as these generally do not verify grade, eligibility, or the full 52-week requirement. To ensure your application passes HR validation, you are highly encouraged to combine and upload the following required SF-50 documents into a single PDF: • The SF-50 showing when you were originally appointed or promoted to your qualifying grade level (establishing the start of your 52-week timeline) OR subsequent SF-50 (such as a Within-Grade Increase, promotion, or award) dated at least 52 weeks later. Warning on Incomplete Documentation: Submitting only an annual general pay adjustment SF-50 or an award SF-50 by itself is insufficient, as these individual documents do not track or prove your original entry date into that grade. If your documentation fails to conclusively prove a full 52-week history at the next lower grade, you will be rated Ineligible for that tier.