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HEAD DAM OPERATOR

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers · Department of the Army · Covington, Virginia

Federal agencyWG-10
At a glance

A job with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Covington, Virginia. It pays $27.15$31.73 per hour (annualised at 2,087 hours) at grade WG-10. Applications close on Oct 14, 2026 — 28 days left.

Working pattern
On site
Who can apply
Open to the public
Clearance
Not Required

Main duties

  • Controls gate settings accordingly to maintain proper lake elevation.
  • Insures reservoir temperature recorders are operational and downstream temperature is maintained for that day.
  • Prepares a daily report which tabulates climatological, reservoir, and stream flow data.
  • Establishes, supervises, and performs short and long range electrical, mechanical and data collection system inspection requirements to assure that equipment is in proper working condition and that deficiencies are immediately reported Maintains all of the intake tower and all equipment and systems within tower.
The original posting

Full details

About the role

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel of the DoD Workforce to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.

About the Position: Serve as a Head Dam Operator at the Gathright Dam in Covington, VA responsible for maintaining proper lake elevation and recording temperature, climatological, reservoir, and stream flow data.

What you will do

  • Controls gate settings accordingly to maintain proper lake elevation.
  • Insures reservoir temperature recorders are operational and downstream temperature is maintained for that day.
  • Prepares a daily report which tabulates climatological, reservoir, and stream flow data.
  • Establishes, supervises, and performs short and long range electrical, mechanical and data collection system inspection requirements to assure that equipment is in proper working condition and that deficiencies are immediately reported Maintains all of the intake tower and all equipment and systems within tower.
  • Plans and establishes maintenance guidelines, procedures, and work schedules for the intake tower equipment and systems.
  • Performs operation maintenance on 50 H.P., 10 H.P. and 2 H.P. electric motors.
  • Operate-s and troubleshoots hydraulic system for 17.8 ft and 5.86 ft gates in tower.
  • Operates two ton bridge crane and inspects and maintains bridge assembly, Check differential pressure alarm system, keeps inspection and maintenance records on all equipment.

How you will be evaluated

As vacancies occur, the Human Resources Office will review your resume to ensure you meet the hiring eligibility and qualification requirements listed in this flyer. You will be rated based on the information provided in your resume, along with your supporting documentation.

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. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

Veterans and Military Spouses will be considered along with all other candidates. If selected, you may be required to provide additional supporting documentation.

Documents you must provide

  • Your complete application includes your resume and other documents which prove your qualifications and 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.
  • Your resume: 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 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.
  • Avoid using acronyms and terms that are not easily understood.
  • The hiring agency will not make assumptions about what's in your resume.
  • 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.
  • For additional information, to include formatting tips, see: What to include in your resume.
  • Other supporting documents: Cover Letter, optional 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.

What to expect next

Eligible applicants will be referred to the hiring manager. The selecting official may choose to conduct interviews. Acknowledgement and Notice of Results letters will be sent by the hiring office.

The evaluation will be based on the information you provide. You should expect that we will verify performance, suitability, and security information and take that information into account in making employment offers.

Additional information

This announcement uses the DHA for Certain Personnel of the DoD Workforce direct hire authority to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to certain positions in the competitive service. Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.

You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.

This position requires a 1 year probationary period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.

In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest. Direct Deposit of Pay is required.

Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees. 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. This is a Career Program (CP-18) - Engineers & Scientists position.

Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement. Permanent Change of Station (PCS) allowances may be authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations and an agency determination that a PCS move is in the Government Interest.

How to apply

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Details on this page reflect the source posting as of Sep 17, 2026. Closing dates and salary ranges can change without notice — the official listing is always authoritative. How our coverage works.

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