Small Craft Operator

Small Craft Operator

Department: Department of the Interior

Location(s): Lodi, California

Salary Range: $37.13 - $43.25 Per Hour

Job Summary: This position is a Small Craft Operator, WG- 5786-9 working in Lodi, California for the R8-Lodi Fish and Wildlife Office. The Small Craft Operator and Marine Mechanic Team plays a vital role in supporting all projects within the Lodi Fish and Wildlife Office (LFWO), with a primary focus on two collaborative programs: the Delta Juvenile Fish Monitoring Program (DJFMP) and the Enhanced Delta Smelt Monitoring (EDSM) Program.

Major Duties:

• This is a temporary appointment intended for seasonal work that is less than 6 months or 1040 hours from the date of appointment/service year. It is expected this position will be terminated upon completion of the seasons work. The agency may non-competitively rehire an eligible temporary seasonal worker in subsequent years who works less than 6 months or 1040 hours in their service year. As a Small Craft Operator your duties will include but are not limited to the following: Regularly operates navigates, dock/cast-off, and fuel inboard, outboard, and inboard/outboard (I/O), powered vessels, including but not limited to: a variety of small craft vessels (primarily aluminum, with one fiberglass vessel), prop boats, jet boats, from 3 to 13 meters in length (occasionally larger) to facilitate biological sampling of the San Francisco Estuary. Maintains, services, tracks, and performs minor repairs on all vessels and attached or associated equipment, including sampling gear, vessels, marine diesel and gasoline engines, drive systems and boat trailers. Assures adherence to safety protocols by all personnel on board and assists in the training of vessel operators and other personnel. Load and unload cargo from small craft, launches, etc. Support fish monitoring and conservation projects+ Work Schedule: Full-time, typically Monday through Friday Regular overtime and occasional weekend work required Approximately 80% field work, 20% shop-based tasks

Qualifications: By the closing date of this announcement, you must meet the requirements of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Handbook X118C, Job Qualification System for Trades and Labor Occupation. http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/x-118c/ Although no specific amount of experience, education or training is required, applicants must meet a minimum level of ability in relation to the position and the Assessment Questionnaire in order to be rated qualified for consideration. To be qualified candidates must meet any screen out element(s) listed at an "acceptable" level, and must achieve an average rating of at least "acceptable" on all of the elements. Only education, training, or experience acquired before the closing date of this announcement will be considered. SCREEN-OUT ELEMENT: Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element, which usually appears as question 1 in the on-line questionnaire. Those applicants who appear to possess at least the minimal acceptable qualification requirement are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated. The potential eligibles are then rated against the remainder of the Job Elements. The screen out element for this position is: Ability to perform the duties of a Small Craft Operator without more than normal supervision. This experience may include: the ability to perform the following tasks without more than normal supervision: regularly operate, navigate, dock/cast-off, and fuel inboard, outboard, and inboard/outboard (I/O), powered vessels, including but not limited to: prop boats, jet boats, from 3 to 13 meters in length (occasionally larger) simultaneously operating hydraulic winch controls to deploy, fish, and retrieve sampling gear, including maintenance to hydraulic equipment; and trailering and launching vessels. 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). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

How to Apply: Review the appointment eligibility criteria in the application preview linked below: The eligibility section of the application allows you to choose how you wish to be considered for this vacancy announcement. You will ONLY be considered for the eligibilities that you select "yes" to and submit the required supporting documentation, as listed in the Required Documents section or the application text. To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package. See required documents section. Click 'Apply' to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the assessment questionnaire and upload required documents. To preview the assessment questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12835846. Please ensure you check the acknowledgement checkbox then click the Submit Application button to submit your application. Applications must be received by 12/05/2025, 11:59pm ET to receive consideration. Check application status by logging into your USAJOBS account, in Applications tab, click the position title you applied to for the status. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/. If you are unable to apply online, you must request an alternative application which is available from the Human Resources Office. Please contact the Human Resources Office via email at fwshiring@fws.gov.

Application Deadline: 2025-12-05