Lock and Dam Operator

Lock and Dam Operator

Department: Department of the Army

Location(s): Illinois City, Illinois

Salary Range: $30.75 - $35.88 Per Hour

Job Summary: About the Position: This announcement is for a Lock and Dam Operator WY-5426-09 position at Lock and Dam 16 in Illinois City, IL.

Major Duties:

• Exercise authority over use of lock through issuance of instructions to craft operators.
• Serve as lead man of two-man crew responsible for making lockages, direct lower graded employees in the operation of lock and dam equipment, explain work assignments, new procedures, and safe operation methods to other lockmen.
• Conduct a thorough shift turnover with the oncoming shift, and lock vessels through a lock and dam site and perform overall project security.
• Perform and/or direct the repair of equipment and perform maintenance of equipment at a Lock and Dam Facility along with performing operational or functional checks on machinery to avoid equipment breakdowns.
• Perform maintenance of lock and dam features by following written documentation or oral instructions.
• Operate tow haulage unit to move barges in and out of the lock chamber; control valves controlling flow of water for emptying and filling operations; controls to raise or lower dam gates in accordance with specific instructions and/or own judgment.
• Respond appropriately to accidents to immediately assist and make safe the situation, and perform proper notifications once an accident occurs, and observe weather (and ice) conditions and conditions of craft desiring entry.
• Enforce safety regulations and methods to avoid hazards to personnel, property, or vessels, and complete accident and incident reports within established timeframes.
• Perform tasks and instruct others on safe lock and dam operating procedures, ensure safety equipment and clothing (personal protective equipment) is worn properly to ensure proper protection, and recognize safety hazards in the working environment.
• Read, monitor, and record river gauge readings and determine that water level in the lock chamber is proper for gate operation.
• Obtain and/or direct others to obtain and record required statistical data for each lockage and enter into Lock Performance Monitoring System (LPMS) system.

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. Current Civilian Employees of the Command Domestic Defense Industrial Base/Major Range and Test Facilities Base Civilian Personnel Workforce Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act Military Spouses, under Executive Order (E.O.) 13473 Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible Priority Placement Program, DoD MR and NG Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability Retirement Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Preference Eligible Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) of 1998 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. Minimum Qualifications (Screen Out Element): Ability to do the work of a(n) Lock and Dam Operator without more than normal supervision. Operating lock and dam equipment where lock and dam gates and valves are electrically or hydraulically controlled, as directed; make 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. Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision (Screen-out Element) Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specification, etc. Dexterity and Safety Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair, etc. Operation of Equipment and Machinery Technical Practices (theoretical, precise, artistic) Use of Measuring Instruments ??????? ??????? 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. 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 and/or uncomfortably hot or cold areas, from falling objects, from working with electrical power tools and wiring or other equipment, from working with normal manual tools and from falls while working on lock walls, dam service bridge, etc. While possibility of drowning exists as 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 to Apply: To apply for this position, you must complete the online questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 05/08/2026 to receive consideration. 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/12949021). 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.

Application Deadline: 2026-05-08