Head Dam Operator

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers • Leesport, PA

16h

About The Position

Serves as Head Dam Operator for the Northern Area Office at Blue Marsh Lake. The position is responsible for operation and maintenance of an earthen-filled, multipurpose dam with hydraulically controlled intake and outlet systems, as well as the Bernville Protective Works and associated recreation and visitor facilities. The role plans and directs subordinate work, oversees dam operations and reservoir conditions, maintains equipment and structures, and provides public information and staff cross-training.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship.
• Experience demonstrating the ability to perform Head Dam Operator work without more than normal supervision, including administration, operation, and maintenance of a multipurpose flood control project; operation and maintenance of vehicles and equipment; and planning and directing lower-graded employees' work.
• Valid state driver's license.
• Ability and willingness to obtain and maintain a USACE license to operate boats or vessels less than 26 feet in length.
• Ability and willingness to lift objects weighing more than 50 pounds.
• Ability and willingness to travel away from the permanent duty station up to 25% of the time.
• Ability to obtain and maintain CPR, First Aid, and Dam Safety licenses or certificates.
• Ability to complete a pre-employment physical and physical examinations every two years thereafter.
• Willingness to take and pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol test and pass random drug and alcohol tests thereafter.
• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination following a background investigation.
• May be required to serve a one-year probationary period if not already completed.

Responsibilities

• Develop daily, weekly, and monthly work schedules and sequences of operations for subordinates.
• Direct or perform the operation and maintenance of equipment and machinery used to open and close selective withdrawal, service, and emergency dam gates.
• Oversee reservoir water levels and regulate reservoir flows in accordance with established operational guides.
• Direct the operation and maintenance of auxiliary equipment, including pumps, motors, and the energy generator.
• Test and inspect equipment and machinery for wear, corrosion, and deterioration; report the need for extensive repairs and malfunctioning equipment to higher authority.
• Inspect, perform, or direct maintenance and minor repairs to dam structures, including the spillway, intake structure, outlet tunnel, and cut-and-fill slopes.
• Oversee operation and maintenance of the Bernville Protective Works, including levee and ponding areas, pump station, retention dams, sluice gates, pressure gates, and fire water storage tank.
• Direct or perform maintenance operations and inspections of Day Use Area facilities.
• Maintain beaches, recreation areas, Stilling Basin, Visitor Center, roads, landscaping, gutters, catch basins, culverts, buoy system, parking areas, appurtenant structures, and sewage collection and treatment system.
• Oversee maintenance and repair of assigned maintenance equipment, including sprayer, mowing machinery, dump truck, trailer, salt spreader, and tractor with backhoe/front-end loader.
• Answer public questions and provide tours and briefings.
• Cross-train permanent maintenance personnel in dam operations, including instrumentation readings, data recording, gate changes, and other operations needed when dam operators are absent.
• Establish work deadlines and priorities based on general schedules, methods, and policies established with and approved by higher-level supervision.

Benefits

• Comprehensive federal employee benefits package for employees and their families; specific benefits depend on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.
• Relocation or recruitment incentive may be authorized, subject to management and district approval.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed