Engineering Equipment Operator (Seasonal)

National Park Service • Kings Canyon National Park, CA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Engineering Equipment Operator operates heavy construction equipment, including bulldozers, backhoes, loaders, and excavators, on mountainous or steep terrain and at construction sites. The work includes grading soil, gravel, or sand surfaces and excavating, backfilling, grading, or leveling earth to rough specifications. Operators may use a boom to place pipe, hydrants, and other large objects during utility and road maintenance work throughout the park unit. They also load, secure, and drive equipment to and from project sites and perform pre-trip safety inspections.

Positions may be filled for a seasonal period of approximately six months, with the actual duration varying according to weather, project needs, or funding. The announcement lists defined seasons of April–October for Mount Rainier, Olympic, and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks; May–October for Crater Lake National Park; and May–November for Lassen Volcanic National Park and Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. The likely entry-on-duty period is April–May 2027.

The position requires a current Class A or Class B Commercial Driver's License, depending on the park position, as well as a valid driver's license maintained throughout employment. Employees must wear a uniform, complete required training, and obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority. Pre-employment and random drug testing apply, and a pre-employment physical examination may be required.

Work is primarily outdoors, though it also occurs indoors, in varied weather and difficult operating conditions. The job requires strenuous physical effort, frequent climbing in and out of machinery, continuous operation of controls, and frequent lifting and carrying of items weighing up to 50 pounds. Employees may work around noise, vibration, dust, fumes, exhaust, oils, heat, cold, and dampness and must follow safety practices and use required safety equipment.

Requirements

• Possess and maintain a current Class A or Class B Commercial Driver's License, depending on the park position; documentation must be provided when applying.
• Possess and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.
• Be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Be at least 18 years old to operate government vehicles. Applicants younger than 18 must meet one of the stated education, vocational training, school-authority, or student-employment conditions.
• Pass the required background investigation and favorable adjudication, E-Verify check, and pre-employment and random drug testing; a pre-employment physical examination may also be required.
• Wear a uniform and comply with uniform standards.
• Complete required training and obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority.
• Demonstrate sufficient knowledge and ability to perform the work without more than normal supervision, operate safely, drive safely, follow work practices, be reliable and dependable, and interpret instructions and specifications, including blueprint reading.
• Meet the stated qualification thresholds: at least 2 points on the screen-out element(s) and an average of at least 2 points across all job elements.
• Provide a resume that clearly documents relevant experience and training supporting responses to the assessment questionnaire.

Responsibilities

• Operate heavy gasoline- or diesel-powered engineering equipment.
• Operate equipment on mountainous or steep terrain to excavate, backfill, grade, or level earth to rough project specifications.
• Operate a boom to place pipe, hydrants, and other large objects during utility and road maintenance operations.
• Load, secure, and drive equipment to and from project sites.
• Perform pre-trip safety inspections on engineering equipment.
• Follow prescribed safety practices and use required safety equipment.

Benefits

• A uniform allowance will be provided.
• Government housing may be available.
• Federal employees and their families have access to a range of benefits; specific eligibility depends on position type and other factors.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed