USA Staffing

Position Title: Dam Operator
Agency: Bureau of Reclamation
Announcement Number: BOR-CGB-25-DE-12671687-AM Opens in new window
Open Period: Monday, March 24, 2025 to Monday, April 7, 2025

For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.

1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference?

A. No, I do not claim Veterans' Preference

B. 0-point Sole Survivorship Preference (SSP)

C. 5-point preference based on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces (TP)

D. 10-point preference for non-compensable disability or Purple Heart (XP)

E. 10-point preference based on a compensable service connected disability of at least 10% but less than 30% (CP)

F. 10 point preference based on widow/widower or parent of a deceased veteran, or spouse or parent of a disabled veteran (XP)

G. 10-point preference based on a compensable service connected disability of 30% or more (CPS)

2. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)

To claim CTAP eligibility, please confirm:

You are a current or former federal employee displaced from the agency hiring for this position? AND
You are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND
You are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND
You are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND
Your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.

To verify CTAP eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation with your application to include:

Your agency notice, such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice; AND
Your most recent annual performance appraisal rating of record; AND
Your most recent SF-50, or equivalent personnel action, noting current position, grade level, and duty location.

Additional supporting documentation requirements are listed in the Required Documents section of this announcement. For more information, visit the USAJOBS Help Center or review The Employee's Guide to Career Transition.

Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in The Department of the Interior with CTAP eligibility?

A. Yes

B. No

3. Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)

To claim ICTAP eligibility, please confirm:

You are a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a federal agency other than the agency hiring for this position? AND
You are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND
You are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND
You are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND
Your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.

To verify ICTAP eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation with your application to include:

Your agency notice, such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice; AND
Your most recent annual performance appraisal rating of record; AND
Your most recent SF-50, or equivalent personnel action, noting current position, grade level, and duty location.

Additional supporting documentation requirements are listed in the Required Documents section of this announcement. For more information, visit the USAJOBS Help Center or review The Employee's Guide to Career Transition.

Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a federal agency other than The Department of the Interior?

A. Yes

B. No

1. Select the location(s) you want to be considered for. You must choose at least one location.

A. Tahoe City, CA

B. Truckee, CA

C. Carson City, NV

2. Certificates of Eligible Applicants for this position may be shared with other Federal agencies at their request. This may include other Offices within the Bureau of Reclamation, other Bureaus within the Department of the Interior, and/or other Federal agencies. If your information is shared with another office/bureau/agency, you will be notified. Do you authorize the sharing of your information with other Federal agencies? If you respond "No" to this question, your information will not be shared and you will not be considered for employment by the requesting agency.

A. Yes

B. No

If selected, you will be subject to an initial suitability review, determined by a background investigation.

Thank you for your interest in a Dam Operator position with Department of the Interior. Your resume and the responses you provide to this assessment questionnaire will be used to determine if you are among the best qualified for this position. Your responses are subject to verification. Please review your responses for accuracy before you submit your application.

Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.

1. From the description below, select the appropriate response based on your level of experience, education and/or training in performing the Dam Operator duties without more than normal supervision.

A. I know little or nothing about this.

B. I have had study or training in this.

C. I have used my knowledge or ability, but I have been closely supervised.

D. I have used my knowledge or ability on my own, under normal supervision.

E. I am consulted by other journeypersons in difficult situations, or I am called on to do unusually difficult jobs.

Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).

2. You must obtain or possess a current state driver's license and a Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL). Do you currently possess or are you willing to obtain a Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL)?

A. Yes

B. No

3. Select the answer that defines your ability to independently lift and carry, load and unload heavy objects. YOu must pass a pre-employment physical exam for this position.

A. Less than 25 pounds

B. 25-49 pounds

C. 50-74 pounds

D. 75 pounds or over

E. None of the above

Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.

4. Repairing electrically/hydraulically controlled dam gates, control valves, or other related equipment.

A. I know little or nothing about this.

B. I have had study or training in this.

C. I have used my knowledge or ability, but I have been closely supervised.

D. I have used my knowledge or ability on my own, under normal supervision.

E. I am consulted by other journeypersons in difficult situations, or I am called on to do unusually difficult jobs.

5. Accurately assesses and reports conditions to the operations supervisor for major repairs beyond the scope of normal maintenance.

A. I know little or nothing about this.

B. I have had study or training in this.

C. I have used my knowledge or ability, but I have been closely supervised.

D. I have used my knowledge or ability on my own, under normal supervision.

E. I am consulted by other journeypersons in difficult situations, or I am called on to do unusually difficult jobs.

6. Repairs and alterations to the dam superstructure including doors, windows, siding, roofs, and walkways. Plans and lays out work from blueprints, drawings, and verbal instructions.

A. I know little or nothing about this.

B. I have had study or training in this.

C. I have used my knowledge or ability, but I have been closely supervised.

D. I have used my knowledge or ability on my own, under normal supervision.

E. I am consulted by other journeypersons in difficult situations, or I am called on to do unusually difficult jobs.

7. Maintenance on the gate operating machinery and the stand-by generator.

A. I know little or nothing about this.

B. I have had study or training in this.

C. I have used my knowledge or ability, but I have been closely supervised.

D. I have used my knowledge or ability on my own, under normal supervision.

E. I am consulted by other journeypersons in difficult situations, or I am called on to do unusually difficult jobs.

8. Lubricating the machinery, adjusting and calibrating gauges and displays, adjusting or replacing worn components, and cleaning the machinery.

A. I know little or nothing about this.

B. I have had study or training in this.

C. I have used my knowledge or ability, but I have been closely supervised.

D. I have used my knowledge or ability on my own, under normal supervision.

E. I am consulted by other journeypersons in difficult situations, or I am called on to do unusually difficult jobs.

9. Routinely operates a motor vehicle in the accomplishment of assignments.

A. I know little or nothing about this.

B. I have had study or training in this.

C. I have used my knowledge or ability, but I have been closely supervised.

D. I have used my knowledge or ability on my own, under normal supervision.

E. I am consulted by other journeypersons in difficult situations, or I am called on to do unusually difficult jobs.

10. Maintains and repairs fences, gates, and security wire.

A. I know little or nothing about this.

B. I have had study or training in this.

C. I have used my knowledge or ability, but I have been closely supervised.

D. I have used my knowledge or ability on my own, under normal supervision.

E. I am consulted by other journeypersons in difficult situations, or I am called on to do unusually difficult jobs.

11. Select the response(s) that describe the manual task(s) you have performed without supervision as a regular part of your job. (Regular means on a recurring basis.)

A. Industrial building maintenance

B. Industrial grounds maintenance

C. Dam maintenance

D. Water deliveries

E. Pumping plant maintenance

F. Herbicide applications

G. Operation of heavy equipment

H. None of the above

Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.

12. Understands and utilizes all applicable safety procedures and regulations.

A. I know little or nothing about this.

B. I have had study or training in this.

C. I have used my knowledge or ability, but I have been closely supervised.

D. I have used my knowledge or ability on my own, under normal supervision.

E. I am consulted by other journeypersons in difficult situations, or I am called on to do unusually difficult jobs.

13. Removes and disposes of debris trapped upstream of the dam to prevent damage to the operating gates or to the structure of the dam.

A. I know little or nothing about this.

B. I have had study or training in this.

C. I have used my knowledge or ability, but I have been closely supervised.

D. I have used my knowledge or ability on my own, under normal supervision.

E. I am consulted by other journeypersons in difficult situations, or I am called on to do unusually difficult jobs.

14. Select the type(s) of structures on which you have performed general maintenance duties.

A. Gates (Radial, Slide, Rectangular, Circular)

B. Dams

C. Pumping plants

D. Laterals

E. Canals

F. Fish passage facilities

G. Gate houses

H. Outlet works

I. Spillways

J. None of the above

15. Elaborate on your answer to the previous question (i.e. identifying the specific structures you have worked on). Also, indicate where this is reflected on your resume, but do not paste your resume here.

Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.

16. Uses axes, shovels, brush cutters, power saws, engine driven string trimmers, and other tools as required.

A. I know little or nothing about this.

B. I have had study or training in this.

C. I have used my knowledge or ability, but I have been closely supervised.

D. I have used my knowledge or ability on my own, under normal supervision.

E. I am consulted by other journeypersons in difficult situations, or I am called on to do unusually difficult jobs.

17. Uses engine driven snow blowers, shovels, and ice choppers to remove snow and ice from the vicinity of the dam.

A. I know little or nothing about this.

B. I have had study or training in this.

C. I have used my knowledge or ability, but I have been closely supervised.

D. I have used my knowledge or ability on my own, under normal supervision.

E. I am consulted by other journeypersons in difficult situations, or I am called on to do unusually difficult jobs.

18. From the choices below, indicate the areas in which you have experience or training performing in water deliveries.

A. Dams

B. Canal headworks

C. Check Structures

D. Turnouts

E. Weirs

F. None of the above

19. Select the equipment you have operated as a regular part of your job.

A. Tractors (e.g., wheeled tractors, crawler tractors)

B. Front-end loaders

C. Dump trucks

D. Forklifts

E. Boats

F. Motor vehicles

G. None of the above

Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).

20. I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, all of the information included in this questionnaire is true, correct, and provided in good faith. I understand that if I make an intentional false statement or commit deception or fraud in this application and its supporting materials, or in any document or interview associated with the examination process, I may be fined or imprisoned (18 U.S.C. 1001); my eligibilities may be cancelled, I may be denied an appointment, or I may be removed and debarred from Federal service (5 C.F.R. part 731). I understand that any information I give may be investigated. I understand that responding "No" to this item will result in my not being considered for this position.

A. Yes

B. No

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