Summary
You will serve as a Dam Operator. Join the Klamath Basin Area Office as a Dam Operator responsible for the operation of multiple Dams within the Klamath Project, located in Southern Oregon and Northern California.Major Duties
Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following: Operates electrical and mechanical equipment to regulate positions of gates and stop logs that comprise the control structures of dams and various diversion dams and pumping plants.Operates emergency stand-by generators. Performs water operation tasks for irrigation and flood control, calculating, and making prescribed water releases, recording reservoir elevations and gate openings. Reads, records, and transmits lake elevation data, downstream river flow rates and stage data, staff gage readings at reservoirs and conveyance system control points and all other required information. Performs maintenance work on canals, drains, and water facility structures, including dams, pumping plants, check structure turnouts, and bridges, etc. Places earthwork and riprap. Repairs, paints, and replaces water control gates and pipes. Constructs, installs, repairs, or modifies wooden items and structures, such as panels, concrete forms, dry walls, framework, interior and exterior trim, cabinets, fences, bridges, etc. Performs fabrication and welding, including Metal Insert Gas (MIG), Tungsten Insert Gas (TIG), Arc and gas welding and cutting, operations on mild steel, cast iron, and aluminum to build or repair gates, bulk heads, turnouts, and stop logs.Education
This position does not allow substituting education for experience.Requirements
Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment. You must possess or obtain a valid Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL). Failure to obtain/maintain a Class A CDL will result in the termination of appointment. Pre-employment and random alcohol and drug testing are required. You will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive test is received. You will be required to complete a pre-employment physical examination by a licensed physician certifying your ability to perform the duties of this position. The cost of the exam will be reimbursed by the agency. You must obtain and maintain a State Herbicide license within 180 days of employment. Failure to obtain/maintain the license will result in the termination of appointment. You must obtain and maintain a Forklift Operator's license, Fixed Crane certification, Rigger certification, various Dam Tenders certification courses and a valid CPR and First Aid certificate. Failure to meet certification requirements could result in adverse consequences. You are required to work a rotating weekend and holiday schedule. You may be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority. You cannot hold an active real estate license, nor can you have an interest or hold stocks in firms with interest in Federal Lands.Evaluations
This position is being filled under the Field Unit Local Hiring Authority. Under this authority, competitive rating, ranking, and veterans' preference procedures do not apply. The Servicing Human Resources Office will determine whether applicants meet the qualification and eligibility requirements described in this announcement. Applicants who meet these requirements may be referred to the selecting official on a certificate of eligibles for consideration. You must certify that you will maintain a permanent and exclusive residence within the defined vicinity of the field unit(s) listed in this announcement. Upon receipt of a completed application package, the Servicing Human Resources Office will review your resume and supporting documentation to determine whether you meet the minimum qualification requirements described in this announcement. Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages. Resumes longer than two pages will not be reviewed. Applicants may submit only one resume. Only the document submitted as the "Resume" under the Documents section will be used to determine qualifications and eligibility. If more than one resume is submitted, only the most recent submission will be reviewed. If your resume is incomplete or does not demonstrate that you meet the qualification requirements or specialized experience described in this announcement, you may be determined ineligible or not qualified for further consideration. Providing false or misleading information on your resume or supporting documentation may result in removal from consideration or other action consistent with applicable federal hiring regulations. Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position.How to Apply
To apply for this position, you must submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section. To receive consideration, your complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 08/10/2026. You must provide documentation to support your eligibility and qualification claims. Please review the required documentation listed in the eligibility sections to ensure you submit the appropriate information. You will only be considered for eligibilities for which you have provided the required supporting documentation. Applications may be submitted through USAJOBS or through other authorized methods identified by the agency (e.g., third-party platforms or local outreach efforts) to support targeted recruitment under this authority. Applicants submitting materials outside of USAJOBS must: Submit a complete application package by the 08/10/2026 of this announcement, and Ensure all materials are formatted and consistent with the application instructions outlined in this announcement, including resume requirements and supporting documentation. All applications, regardless of submission method, will be evaluated using the same criteria and requirements to ensure a fair and equitable hiring process. Applications received after the closing date, or that do not meet the requirements outlined in this announcement, will not be considered. USAJOBS Application Instructions Select Apply. If you are not logged in, you will be prompted to login or create an account. Prompted to Start the Application Process by selecting "Start Application." Click here for USAJobs Help with "How to create an application" To PREVIEW the application questionnaire, select the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13024441 Select or add the resume you want to use for this application. Click here on how to build a resume in USAJOBS. Select documents you want included in this application. Review package to acknowledge your documents were reviewed. Select if you want to include your demographic information. After reading and certifying the application is true and submitted in good faith, select "Continue to Agency Site." Follow onscreen prompts and instructions to complete your application. Add the supporting documents by indexing your documents with the dropdown. Upload any missing required documents or optional documents. Review and Submit Application. While logged in, you can check the status of your application by selecting "+" next to the job title for this position. You can review or revise your application at any point during the open period of the announcement. To update an application, you should log into your USAJOBS account and select "+" next to the job title for this position. Select "Update Application" for this job. Note: When you click Update Application, you will be prompted to re-select your documents from USAJOBS. Documents submitted with the first application will no longer be associated with the applicant record. So it is important that you select all documents you want to use in the re-application.What to Expect Next
Once your Occupational Questionnaire has been received, you will receive an acknowledgment confirming your submission was successful. Applicants who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements will be referred to the selecting official for consideration. Under this authority, all applicants determined to be qualified may be referred. If your name is referred, you may be contacted directly by the hiring official for a possible interview. You will be notified of the status of your application at key stages in the process, including when candidates are referred for consideration and when the selection process has been completed. You can find your path with the Department of Interior at https://careers.doi.gov/ Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempt to conceal information may disqualify you for employment consideration. We may verify all information you provide in your resume and questionnaire responses, through reference and/or background checks, and/or verification of your education. If you are selected, you will be contacted personally by the Human Resources Office posting this announcement.Required Documents
The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 08/10/2026: Two Page Resume which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed, dates specified in month and year format, and the resume must reflect full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40+ hours a week). If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount qualified specialized experience. If military or civilian, please include your rank and/or grade. Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted. The minimum font size is 10-point for all body text. Headers may be slightly larger but must remain legible. All resumes must maintain a minimum 0.5-inch margins on all sides to ensure readability and prevent excessive content compression. Including supplemental pages or attachments disguised as resume extensions are prohibited and will not be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications. Your 2-page resume must contain information sufficient to make a valid determination that you fully meet the specialized experience requirements. Note: Current and former Federal employees should include pay plan, series, and grade level for relevant federal experience. If experience is for a career ladder position, please ensure to clearly distinguish the job duties for each grade level and how long you were working in each grade level. Resume Builder: https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include Proof of residence (e.g. mortgage or property deed, lease/rental agreement, utility bill, insurance policy). SF-50 cannot be accepted as proof of residence. Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted. Do not submit photographs with your application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from all documents. Do not upload Adobe portfolio documents. Adobe portfolio documents are not viewable by our agency's staffing offices.Other Information
This position will be filled under the Field Unit Local Hiring Authority. Eligibility is limited to applicants who reside within the defined local commuting area at the time of application. For this announcement, the local commuting area is the area from which individuals can reasonably commute to the duty station under normal conditions. The defined vicinity for this position is: A radius of 75 miles from the official duty station - 6600 Washburn Way, Klamath Falls, Oregon. You must provide proof of residency within the defined vicinity (e.g. mortgage or property deed, lease/rental agreement, utility bill, insurance policy, etc.). See the Required Documents section for information on how to verify current residence. Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement. Hourly rates for WG-7 and WG-8: WG-7 Step 1: $25.78 - Step 5: $30.08 WG-8 Step 1: $27.37 - Step 5: $31.91 First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the step 1 rate. A Recruitment Incentive May Be Authorized for a newly selected employee when appointed to a permanent, temporary, or term position. A Federal employee who is transferring from another component, bureau or Federal agency and who does not meet the conditions under 5 CFR §575.102 is not eligible for a recruitment incentive. Physical Demands: Routinely lifts, moves, and carries loads up to 50 pounds unassisted. Occasionally lifts and moves heavier objectives with assistance (e.g., hand truck). Required to reach, walk, stand, stoop, bend, kneel and crawl for extended periods, and to climb up and down slopes or rocky inclines. Works in cramped, tiring, and uncomfortable positions, on ladders and scaffolds, and while material is on supports. Physical exertion is needed to change water releases from storage and distribution systems. Working Conditions: Work is performed inside and outside in all types of weather conditions (e.g., heat, cold, rain, wind, snow, ice). Field work is performed on earth canal slopes, near fast moving water, on irregular terrain concealed by weeds and debris, on elevated pump station decks and dams, and similar situations. Occasionally operates or works from an open boat or raft. Work involves regular exposure to dirt, dust grease, and involve a greater exposure to hazardous conditions. Dam operators face the possibility of personal injury from moving machinery, electrical equipment, and the dam structure. Protective clothing is typically worn in appropriate circumstances (e.g., coveralls, hardhat, gloves, safety goggles, hearing protection, boots). Some of these safety items may be uncomfortable to wear and may be worn or used for long periods. All Department of Interior (DOI) employees, their spouses, and minor children may not acquire or retain any claim, permit, lease, small tract entry, or other rights granted by the Department in Federal lands, with limited exceptions. Additional ethics prohibitions can be found here, https://www.doi.gov/ethics/ethics-prohibitions.
