HEAD DAM OPERATOR

Summary

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel of the DoD Workforce to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service. About the Position: Serve as a Head Dam Operator at the Gathright Dam in Covington, VA responsible for maintaining proper lake elevation and recording temperature, climatological, reservoir, and stream flow data.

Duties

• Controls gate settings accordingly to maintain proper lake elevation.
• Insures reservoir temperature recorders are operational and downstream temperature is maintained for that day.
• Prepares a daily report which tabulates climatological, reservoir, and stream flow data.
• Establishes, supervises, and performs short and long range electrical, mechanical and data collection system inspection requirements to assure that equipment is in proper working condition and that deficiencies are immediately reported
• Maintains all of the intake tower and all equipment and systems within tower. Plans and establishes maintenance guidelines, procedures, and work schedules for the intake tower equipment and systems.
• Performs operation maintenance on 50 H.P., 10 H.P. and 2 H.P. electric motors. Operate-s and troubleshoots hydraulic system for 17.8 ft and 5.86 ft gates in tower.
• Operates two ton bridge crane and inspects and maintains bridge assembly, Check differential pressure alarm system, keeps inspection and maintenance records on all equipment.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens In order to qualify, you must meet the experience requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document. Minimum Qualifications (Screen Out Element): Ability to do the work of a Head Dam Operator without more than normal supervision. Your resume must demonstrate that you have the ability to perform duties such as the operation of hydraulic and electronically controlled dam gates, control valves, and other associated equipment required for maintaining pool levels, and/or repairing parts of electric motors and hydraulic systems for the control of pool levels, and/or plans and establishes maintenance guidelines, procedures, and work schedules for the intake tower equipment and systems.. - Failure to meet this Screen out Element will result in an ineligible rating. Job Elements: The skills, knowledge, abilities, and personal characteristics listed below are important to succeed in the job: Ability to do the work of a Head Dam Operator without more than normal supervision. Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair, etc Operation of hydraulically operated and electronically controlled dam gates, control valves, and other associated equipment required for maintenance of required pool levels Technical Practices (theoretical, precise, artistic) Use of Measuring Instruments Ability To Interpret Instructions, Specification, etc. (other than blueprinting reading) Dexterity and Safety Physical Efforts: Work requires pushing, turning and pulling bars, valves, levers and lifting and carrying tools and equipment. Daily inspection requires operating a boat in the river and dam pool. WORKING CONDITIONS Work requires walking, standing and climbing of stairs both outside and inside under varying weather, temperature and humidity conditions. Subject to cuts, bruises, strains and falls while performing and/or assisting in maintenance work and inspecting gate and hydraulic controls at various (approximately 150 feet) levels from s suspended rope chair. Working Conditions: Performs in all weather conditions, often very low temperatures, wind, and adverse precipitation. NOTE: All Army personnel will comply with safety regulations, occupational safety and health standards, and other safety directives and orders.

How to apply

Interested Applicants must submit resumes/application packages to: [email protected] To apply for this position, you must submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility. Alternate applications (e.g., facsimile applications) will not be accepted. The complete application package must be submitted to the email address provided above by 11:59 PM (EST) on 10/14/2026 to receive consideration.