kandidatu USA

Engineering Equipment Operator Helper

Forest Service · Department of Agriculture

This job in plain English

This is a temporary, full-time fire crew job with the U.S. Forest Service, based in a National Forest. The crewmember helps a fire dozer operator with initial attack, wildfire suppression, and fuels management, which means reducing materials that can feed fires. Many vacancies are open in Chadron, Nebraska and Halsey, Nebraska, and the agency uses direct hire.

Many vacancies

Can you apply?

Yes, if you are a U.S. citizen: this job is open to everyone.

  • Open to everyoneAny U.S. citizen or national can apply. Some jobs also accept non-citizens; the announcement says so.

Any U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or person who owes allegiance to the U.S. can apply. Direct hire authority is used, so veterans' preference does not apply.

What you would do

  • Helps journeyman operators run heavy equipment such as tractors, loaders, and graders.
  • Services and performs basic operator maintenance on equipment.
  • Makes minor repairs and adjustments; reports major mechanical problems to a supervisor.
  • Helps keep fire suppression equipment ready for emergency use.
  • Helps install culverts, drainage structures, and water pipelines using heavy manual labor.

Do you qualify for WG-5?

With experience: The announcement does not list a set number of years or a grade level. Your resume must clearly show experience that matches the duties, and the agency rates the relevance, scope, and quality of your experience and training.

Licenses and certifications you need:

  • Class A or Class B Commercial Driver's License may be required, depending on the equipment operated
  • Valid state driver's license may be required for some fire positions

How to apply well

What to send:

  • Resume of no more than 2 pages with name, address, contact information, education, and work experience
  • Resume showing dates, hours worked per week, and job titles for each job
  • Unofficial college transcripts, only if you use education to qualify; must be from an accredited school
  • Foreign school accreditation evidence and English translations, if applicable
  • Proof of priority eligibility (CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP), if you claim it

How you will be rated: Your resume and application are first checked to confirm you meet the minimum qualifications and selective placement factors. Applicants who qualify are sent to the selecting official without a numeric rating. Inflated or inaccurate information can lower your rating, make you ineligible, or lead to removal from federal service.

Tips for this job:

  • Keep your resume to 2 pages or less, because longer resumes are removed from consideration.
  • List dates, job titles, and hours worked per week for each job on your resume.
  • Upload files under 5MB in accepted formats such as PDF or Word; encrypted and Adobe Portfolio files are not accepted.

Good to know before you apply

Schedule: Full-time

Incentives and relocation: None stated; relocation expenses are not reimbursed.

Conditions of employment:

  • U.S. citizen or U.S. national
  • Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt
  • Background investigation and/or fingerprint check
  • Direct deposit of federal pay required
  • Must be at least 18 years old
  • Must pass E-Verify employment check
  • Pre-appointment and random drug testing; a negative result is required
  • Medical screening; the announcement cites both arduous and moderate Federal Wildland Firefighter medical standards
  • Willing to live and work in remote, unpredictable locations
  • Occasional overnight travel for fire assignments
  • Must pass the moderate Work Capacity Test: 2-mile hike in 30 minutes carrying a 25-pound pack
  • Temporary job, up to 6 months or 1 year not-to-exceed; may end early
  • Federal retirement annuity may be offset from pay if you are a retired federal employee

We wrote this summary automatically from the official announcement. The announcement on USAJOBS is the only one that counts: read it before you apply.

Job details

Salary
$23.00 – $24.00 per hour
Pay scale and grade
WG-5 · Wage Grade (trades and crafts)
Locations
  • Location Negotiable After Selection
  • Halsey, Nebraska
  • Chadron, Nebraska
Appointment
Temporary
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Openings
Many
Security clearance
Other
Travel
Occasional travel
Drug test
Not required
Supervisory
No
Occupation
Engineering Equipment Operating (5716)
Announcement
27-TEMPF3-R2-FS2024-5DH

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