Trades Helper Linehandler (Relief Pool) (Open to both U.S. Citizens and Federal Employees)

Summary

The position is located in Massena, NY. You will serve as both a Trades Helper and a Linehandler relief for our Maintenance and Lock Operations Divisions. PLEASE NOTE: This is an open continuous 30 day vacancy with an initial cut-off after 14 days. After the first certificate, we will review applications as needed and refer the top candidates for potential interviews during the open period of the announcement.

Duties

Trades Helper work is performed primarily in a compressed 12 hour schedule. Assists journey level trades workers by performing the duties associated with improvements to, and maintenance of, electrical and mechanical. You may also assist journey level employees in other trades. Linehandler work is performed during the navigation season (March through December) on an as needed basis for emergency or operational needs. All work is performed on a 24-hour basis, seven days a week, on rotating day and night 12 hour shifts, with rotating days and weekends off. Duties include handling of pleasure craft and collection of pleasure craft fees. Passes/receives messenger/mooring lines or wires to/from vessels to secure them in the lock chamber or on approach walls as necessary. Operates an electrically powered capstan to pull-up a commercial vessel's mooring wires. Observes for unusual occurrences during a lockage, positions vessels in the chamber and communicates with all personnel involved with the lockage evolution. Lock & Dam: Dam Operator work is primarily from a computer console to actuate lock machinery, such as gates, valves, fender booms, air curtains, hands-free mooring units, etc. Monitors multiple visual indicators and gathers critical information from computer data to determine proper positioning of hands-free mooring equipment and to safely control the rate of water flow in and out of the lock chamber, preventing danger to equipment or vessels due to excessive surge or turbulence. If selected for Marine Helper work as a deckhand on the Corporation's tugs, barges and workboats, work is generally performed during fall and spring commissioning and decommissioning of navigation aids (buoy runs), which may require a significant amount of overtime and travel. The ideal candidate for this position will have trades helper knowledge in carpentry, and/or knowledge of working in a marine environment and also have basic computer skills.

Requirements

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance the organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. 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. SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service. GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: This position involves travel. A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only. BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: A background security investigation is required for all selected individuals. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of the security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to meet these requirements will be grounds for termination. Working Conditions for Essential Functions: Work assignments are both inside and outside. When inside, employee is frequently exposed to drafts, changing temperatures, and noise that is difficult to talk above. When outside, may work in bad weather, in mud or snow, in wet or icy areas, and on slippery decks. Both inside and outside, employee is frequently exposed to irritation or discomfort from dust, heat, fumes, and from hard, damp floors or ground. DEU REQUIREMENTS: Applicants selected under delegated examining procedures may be required to successfully complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed). *Please see the "other information" section for additional Conditions of Employment.

Qualifications and evaluation

DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE: PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. To receive full credit during evaluation, your assessment responses must explicitly point back to your resume, as HR cannot make assumptions about your experience. You must write your narrative answers in full paragraph format, beginning each response with the exact position title, organization, employment dates (MM/YYYY–MM/YYYY), full-time/part-time, average hours worked per week, and federal series/grade (if applicable) as listed on your resume. To compete with U.S. Citizens: If you meet the qualification requirements, your application will be placed in one of two categories: Qualified and Well Qualified which is based upon your responses to the vacancy questions. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference that have provided supporting documents will receive selection priority over non-veterans. The top rated applications will be reviewed for the quality of your experience, education and training relevant to the position. To compete with other competitive status government employees: Federal Wage System (FWS) positions require the use of a Screen-Out Element. Points will be based on experience and training which are documented by your responses to the questionnaire. To be qualified, applicants must receive at least 2 points on the Screen-Out Element and an average of 2 points on all the elements in order to be considered minimally qualified for the position. Applicants who do not receive 2 points on the Screen-Out Element will be eliminated from further consideration. If you meet the qualification requirements, your application will be scored based upon your responses to the vacancy questions. The top rated applications will be reviewed for the quality of your experience, education and training relevant to the position. If referred, all relevant documents including performance appraisals and awards submitted with your application package will be forwarded to the hiring official for review. Eligible Federal employees also seeking consideration for noncompetitive reassignment for this position must indicate interest in the assessment. Noncompetitive federal candidates must have competitive status on a SF-50, meet minimum qualifications, have served at the same grade or higher, and held or exceeded the promotion potential of this position. All applicants: Your application will be rated on the extent and quality of your experience, education and training relevant to the position. The answers you select in the on-line process must be substantiated in your application package. If upon review, it is determined that your described work history, competencies, and/or supporting documents do not support your answer choices, your application may be updated on your behalf or you may not be referred to the selecting official. Please ensure that your work history provides enough details to support your answers. The Automated Staffing Office is ultimately responsible for determining your final rating. You may preview questions for this vacancy.

How to apply

SPECIAL ATTENTION: To be considered, you must submit all required resume details and applicable documents no later than 11:59 (EST) by the closing date of the announcement. Note: Uploading documents to USAJobs does not automatically attach them to this application. You must review and verify that all files are successfully transferred to our system before final submission. Late or incomplete applications will be disqualified. To begin, click the "Apply Online" button on the job announcement posting. Follow the directions to register, submit all required documents and complete the assessment questionnaire. You may review your saved application(s) at https://help.usajobs.gov/ If you are having difficulty applying online, please contact the DOT Automated Staffing Office via email at: Transjobs@dot.gov

Required documents

RESUME: In accordance with the OPM memorandum titled Merit Hiring Plan, dated May 29, 2025, resumes with a maximum of two (2) pages in length will be accepted as part of your application. These should be legible and in a readable font size. A determination of your eligibility and/or qualifications will be based only on those two (2) pages. Your resume MUST contain specific information that is used to make a qualification determination, including employment beginning and ending dates for each position, whether employment is Full-time or Part-time, or average number of hours worked per week, and position titles (e.g., Program Analyst, GS-343-11 | January 2009–Present | 40 Hours/Week). If the position is/was in the Federal government, you will need to provide the position series and grade level. The resume should show relevant experience and education, as well as support the required specialized experience. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THIS INFORMATION IN YOUR RESUME BY THE CLOSING DATE OF THE VACANCY WILL RESULT IN YOUR REMOVAL FROM CONSIDERATION. PERFORMANCE APPRAISALS/INCENTIVE AWARDS: If applicable, performance appraisals and/or Incentive award documentation may be submitted and forwarded to the selecting official in consideration of your application. To receive credit, submit a recent performance appraisal (dated within 18 months) showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable (do not submit a performance plan) and/or incentive award documentation dated within the last 18 months (i.e. performance awards, special act or achievement awards, quality step increases, etc.). VETERANS: Your last DD214 (member 4 copy), Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty, that shows the type of discharge and all dates of active duty is required to verify your eligibility. If applying to a vacancy opened to all US Citizens under category rating and wish to be considered as a preference eligible, you need to submit a copy of your DD214 (member-4 copy). If claiming preference eligibility as a disabled veteran, you must submit proof of entitlement of this preference which is normally a valid letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs certifying to the present existence of the service-connected disability and indicating the percentage of your disability. An SF-15 is desired, but not required. If applying to a vacancy opened Status and you are requesting consideration under Veteran's Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) (https://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/shav/#veoa), you need to provide a copy of your last DD214 (member-4 copy), which verifies your military service dates, reason for separation, OR certification of separation that shows a discharge date within 120 days of the closing of this announcement, and eligibility for consideration under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act. NON COMPETITIVE APPLICANTS: If requesting concurrent consideration for Non-competitive (NC) appointment eligibility, you must provide the appropriate SPECIAL APPOINTING AUTHORITY DOCUMENTS, such as PCS orders (military spouse) describing move & marriage certificate; letter from VA or DD214 describing 100% disability of spouse; letter from State Vocational Office certifying disability (schedule A), etc. For more information, visit military spouse NC appointments or Persons with Disabilities NC appointments. DISPLACED EMPLOYEES: If requesting consideration under the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency CTAP program (ICTAP), you must meet the well qualified standards for this vacancy (meeting minimum requirements for position and scoring at least an 80) and provide all of the following documents: your most recent performance appraisal, the proof of eligibility letter from the Agency, and your most current SF-50, displaying current series and grade. Displaced employees may be eligible for ICTAP or CTAP priority consideration. For more information, please review the OPM Employee's Guide to Career Transition. SPECIAL ATTENTION: To be considered, you must submit all required resume details and applicable documents by the closing date of the announcement. Note: You must review and verify that all files are successfully transferred to our system before final submission. Late or incomplete applications will be disqualified.

Additional information

ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: Physical Effort for Essential Functions: Frequently lifts and turns while handling lines weighing up to 100 pounds, generally with another Lock Operations employee. Frequently required to climb ladders, walk over rough terrain, climb towers, reach, twist, turn, bend, and squat, often while wearing safety equipment. May be required to stand for long periods or to board craft from lock walls, docks, or shoreline areas. Perception of distance and motion and coordination of hands and eyes are necessary when spotting vessels entering and leaving the locks, in handling lines during marine work, and in performing Trades Helper duties. For general maintenance work, is required to expend moderate to heavy effort for extended periods of time, such as mowing lawns behind a walking mower, shoveling snow, sweeping walkways, sandblasting, hammering, using a chain saw, or jack hammering. The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Transportation and its Operating Administrations from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to the Department of Transportation by email at, FairChanceAct@dot.gov. To learn more, please visit our page at: The Fair Chance to Compete Act | US Department of Transportation CURRENT OR FORMER FEDERAL APPLICANTS: You must submit SF-50(s) that verify your highest competitive grade, full performance level, and federal applicant eligibility. To prove you meet the 52-week time-in-grade requirement for the highest grade level requested, you must submit SF-50 documentation showing a sequential 52-week period. Box 4 of the SF-50 must show an effective date at least 52 weeks prior to the job announcement closing date. Do not submit an award SF-50 or a current-year pay adjustment SF-50, as these generally do not verify grade, eligibility, or the full 52-week requirement. To ensure your application passes HR validation, you are highly encouraged to combine and upload the following required SF-50 documents into a single PDF: • The SF-50 showing when you were originally appointed or promoted to your qualifying grade level (establishing the start of your 52-week timeline) OR subsequent SF-50 (such as a Within-Grade Increase, promotion, or award) dated at least 52 weeks later. Warning on Incomplete Documentation: Submitting only an annual general pay adjustment SF-50 or an award SF-50 by itself is insufficient, as these individual documents do not track or prove your original entry date into that grade. If your documentation fails to conclusively prove a full 52-week history at the next lower grade, you will be rated Ineligible for that tier.