Equipment Operator Jobs in Merced, CA (NOW HIRING)

Summary
You will serve as a Engineering Equipment Operator to operate gasoline or diesel powered engineering and construction heavy equipment to complete a variety of Service Projects at various locations.
You may be required to travel overnight away from home up to 5 nights per month. You must obtain a government charge card for travel purposes.
$39.52 - $46.03 First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the step 1 rate.
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Duties
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Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following:

• Operates heavy equipment to excavate, backfill, grade, or level earth to exact specifications on such projects as breaking new ground for trails, roads, canals, tunnels, or construction sites from engineered drawings to achieve land management and facility operation goals.
• Services, checks, and fuels equipment before operation, checks and services attachments to be used.
• Performs daily preventative maintenance and makes repairs and adjustments to equipment and attachments to equipment.
• Keeps up to date written maintenance records for all equipment operated.
• Maintains, operates, and adjusts water control structures including pumps and dams.
• Measures, monitors and documents all water use and levels, control structures, wells, and pumps.
• Serves as a safety instructor for other employees and volunteers in the operator's areas of knowledge (e.g. heavy equipment operation, off road utility vehicle operation, etc.).
• Installs, maintains, and repairs building and facility electrical systems such as lighting and power fixtures, wiring, fire or water alarm systems, and emergency power systems.
• Performs routine preventive maintenance on heating systems and refrigeration and air conditioning units.
• Maintains, repairs, or constructs a variety of structures and surfaces of brick, block, stone, and other related materials.
• Operates various electric resistance welding machines to join, repair, modify, or fabricate a variety of parts or components.

Commercial Driver's License: Duties of this position require the employee to have and maintain a valid State Commercial Driver's License (CDL) to operate various vehicles and equipment. Incumbents who do not possess a CDL at the time of appointment must obtain and maintain a valid CDL within one (1) year of their appointment date. Positions requiring a CDL are subject to physical examination and drug and alcohol testing requirements as established by the Department of Transportation (49 CFR 391.41 (b)(l) through (b)(13)).
Requirements
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Conditions of employment

• Must provide proof of U.S. citizenship.
• Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Direct Deposit participation required.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, visit www.dhs.gov/EVerify/.
• Must have and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.
• Must obtain and maintain a valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL).
• Pre-employment and random drug testing are required. You will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test is received.
• You are required to wear a uniform and comply with the uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
• You are required to complete training, obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority.
• You must be at least 18 years of age.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated.
This probationary period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated.
Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Qualifications
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-09/04/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.
To qualify for this position, you must have sufficient knowledge and ability in the following job-related factors:

1. Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision (SCREEN OUT)
2. Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation Repair, etc.
3. Dexterity and Safety
4. Operation of Job Family Specify Equipment, Machinery, etc.
5. Technical Practices (theoretical precise, artistic)

If your knowledge and ability in the SCREEN OUT factor above is not sufficient, you will receive no further consideration. In preparing your application, describe in detail the experience and training which you have had that specifically prepared you for this job and to perform the duties described for this job. Experience should be clearly described and documented in your resume. Your resume must support your response to the assessment questionnaire, and if it does not, your application will be marked as not eligible. The qualifications reviewer will not assume performance of such duties by Job Titles alone. Address your knowledge, skills and/or abilities in the areas shown in the job-related factors.
You must meet at least 2 points on the screen-out element(s) and obtain an average of at least 2 points on all of the job elements to be considered qualified for this position.
Volunteer Experience: 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.
Education
There is no substitution of education for experience for Federal Wage System (FWS) positions.
Additional information
Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.
Physical Demands: Very strenuous heavy physical effort is required in the operation and frequent adjustment of large pieces of equipment and attachments, often under adverse operating conditions. Location of the controls and attachments frequently requires work in awkward or strained positions. Additional physical requirements may be required due to facility maintenance assignments and tasks regarding ladders, confined spaces, lifting, stooping, bending, twisting, etc. Considerable energy is needed working in small confined spaces or elevated areas, and operating equipment over rough surfaces. Work normally requires extensive standing, walking, kneeling and bending. Lifts, carries and sets up, parts, equipment and objects or loads up to 50 pounds, unassisted, and up to 100 pounds with assistance.
Working Conditions: Work is accomplished both in an office setting (5%) and outdoors (95%). Due to operations of large and complicated equipment, often in rough terrain, the operator is exposed to injury resulting from equipment overturning, and is subject to noise, vibration, dust, fumes, grease, dirt, and moving parts of equipment and machinery. Work performed outside is in a variety of settings where steep terrain, extremely uneven, rocky and slippery footing is normal. Temperature extremes are common. Employee is regularly exposed to the possibility of shock, cuts, scrapes, and bruises, falls, falling material, or injury from equipment associated with power equipment or hazardous materials. Work demands conformance to safety requirements including the use of a variety of personal protective equipment such as: protective clothing, hardhats, hearing protection, safety glasses, goggles, gloves, steel toe heavy leather boots, respirator, and other personal protective items. Serious injury may result from getting caught in operating equipment, or from collisions with automobiles when operating on or near public roads.
All Department of Interior (DOI) employees, their spouses, and minor children may not acquire or retain any claim, permit, lease, small tract entry, or other rights granted by the Department in Federal lands, with limited exceptions. Additional ethics prohibitions can be found here, https://www.doi.gov/ethics/ethics-prohibitions.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.