LOCK AND DAM OPERATOR
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Before you apply
LocationMinneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Work modeon-site
Typefull-time
SeniorityLead
DepartmentLOCKS & DAMS PROJ OFC, L/D LSAF
Company size10,000+ people
PostedOct 26, 2026 · 1w ago
Verified live22h ago
At a glanceSummarised by Seekless from the posting.
Ability to operate lock and dam equipment where gates and valves are electrically or hydraulically controlled as directed
Ability to make minor repairs to lock and dam equipment
Ability to apply locking procedures, policies, and laws regarding traffic right-of-way, sequence of operations and safe passage of hazardous commodities and damaged crafts
Ability to comply with governing safety practices and procedures
Ability to perform common Lock and Dam Operations without more than normal supervision
Ability to provide locking instructions to tow boat captains and other craft operators
Ability to determine specific actions to take during breakdowns of equipment, delays in operation, and accidents
Ability to recognize and avoid potential work hazards
Ability to perform repairs necessary to keep the lock in operation
Eye and hand coordination for operating various controls and handling lines while observing traffic and personnel
Ability to lift in excess of 50 pounds occasionally
This position requires a job-related license or certification. You MUST submit a copy of your license or certification.
U.S. Citizenship required
Summary
This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.
About the Position: The position is for a Permanent, Full-time shift Head Lock and Dam Operator at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers navigation facilities, St. Paul district. The applicant selected directs employees in the operation of lock and dam equipment.
Qualifications
Who May Apply: Only applicants who meet one of the employment authority categories below are eligible to apply for this job. You will be asked to identify which category or categories you meet, and to provide documents which prove you meet the category or categories you selected. See Proof of Eligibility for an extensive list of document requirements for all employment authorities.
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.
There is no specific length of training or experience required. However, you must be able to demonstrate, through experience shown in your written application materials that you possess the sufficient knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the work of this position without more than normal supervision including operating lock and dam equipment where lock and dam gates and valves are electrically or hydraulically controlled, as directed; making minor repairs to lock and dam equipment; apply locking procedures, policies, and laws regarding traffic right-of-way, sequence of operations and safe passage of hazardous commodities and damaged crafts; and comply with governing safety practices and procedures. -Failure to meet this Screen Out Element will result in an ineligible rating.
Minimum Qualifications (Screen Out Element): Ability to do the work of a LOCK AND DAM OPERATOR without more than normal supervision. I have the ability to perform common Lock and Dam Operations. I can apply locking procedures, policies, and laws regarding traffic right-of-way, sequence of operations and safe passage of hazardous commodities and damaged crafts; provide locking instructions to tow boat captains and other craft operators; operate electrically or hydraulically controlled lock and dam equipment; determine the specific actions to take during breakdowns of equipment, delays in operation, and accidents; recognize and avoid potential work hazards; perform repairs necessary to keep the lock in operation. I work under normal supervision of a work leader or journey-level employee who observes tasks in progress and upon completion to make sure they are properly performed.- Failure to meet this Screen Out Element will result in an ineligible rating.
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Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision (Screen-out Element)
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Physical Efforts**:** Eye and hand coordination for operating various controls and handling lines while observing traffic and personnel, during crane lifting operations, lifting dam gates, etc. There is standing, stooping, bending, occasional lifting in excess of 50 pounds, stretching, working in cramped positions and spaces, handling or maneuvering bulky items or equipment, and general continuous moderate to arduous physical effort required.
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Working Conditions: Preponderance of work is performed outside subject to extremes of temperature and weather. There is exposure to injuries associated with working in restricted areas, occasionally cramped or uncomfortably hot or cold areas, from falling objects, from working with electrical power tools, and from falls while working on lock walls, dam service bridge, etc. While possibility of drowning exists as a result of falls while working around water, hazard is practically eliminated through observance of safety procedures and use of safety equipment. During maintenance operations is occasionally exposed to unpleasant fumes, dust, etc.
How you will be evaluated
Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.
If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position.
Veterans and Military Spouses will be considered along with all other candidates.
Required documents
The documents you are required to submit vary based on whether or not you are eligible for preference in federal employment. A complete description of preference categories and the associated required documents is in the Applicant Checklist for Public Announcements.
As described above, your complete application includes your resume, your responses to the online questionnaire, and documents which prove your eligibility to apply. **If you fail to provide these documents, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and you will not be considered any further.
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Your resume:**
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Your resume must be two pages or less and must support the specialized experience described in this announcement. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration.
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For each relevant work experience, make sure you include the employer’s name, job title, start and end dates (include month and year), for qualifications purposes, the number of hours worked per week, and a brief description that show you can perform the tasks at the required level listed in the job announcement. If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as incomplete, and you may not receive consideration for this position.
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Use plain language. Avoid using acronyms and terms that are not easily understood. The hiring agency will not make assumptions about what’s in your resume.
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If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, it will not be used to make eligibility and qualification determinations, and you may not be considered for this vacancy.
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For additional information, to include formatting tips, see: What to include in your resume.
2. Other supporting documents:
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Cover Letter, optional
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Most recent Performance Appraisal, if applicable
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This position requires a job-related license or certification. You MUST submit a copy of your license or certification with your application package or you will be rated ineligible. See: Transcripts and Licenses
Legal
NOTE: Documents submitted as part of the application package, to include supplemental documents, may be shared beyond the Human Resources Office. Some supplemental documents such as military orders and marriage certificates may contain personal information for someone other than you. You may sanitize these documents to remove another person’s personal information before you submit your application. You may be asked to provide an un-sanitized version of the documents if you are selected to confirm your eligibility.
How to apply
To apply for this position, you must complete the online questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 11/02/2026 to receive consideration
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To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application (https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13098116).
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Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. As a reminder, your resume must be two pages or less and must support the specialized experience described in this announcement. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. For additional information, refer to the ‘Required Documents’ section.
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You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
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After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
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You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. Your resume selected in USAJOBS will be included, but you must re-select other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application may be incomplete.
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It is your responsibility to verify that your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.
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Additional information on how to complete the online application process and submit your online application may be found on the USA Staffing Applicant Resource Center.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://www.usajobs.gov/applicant/profile/dashboard/), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/status.
Other information
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Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
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You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
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One year trial/probationary period may be required.
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Appointment is subject to the completion of a favorable suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a background investigation.
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Direct deposit of pay is required.
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This is an Engineers and Scientists Career Field position.
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Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
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If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
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Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
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Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
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Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest.
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