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Lock and Dam Operator

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers · Department of the Army · Versailles, Illinois

Federal agencyWY-05
At a glance

A job with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Versailles, Illinois. It pays $25.75$34.31 per hour (annualised at 2,087 hours) at grade WY-05. Applications close on Sep 21, 2026 — 5 days left.

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

Main duties

  • Operate electrically and/or hydraulically controlled lock or lock and dam gates, control valves, and other associated equipment for passage of traffic and maintenance of pool levels using oral, written, or radio transmission instructions.
  • Perform and/or direct other installation, repair, and maintenance tasks requiring application of craft or trade knowledge and skills using sketches, diagrams, or written/oral instructions and appropriate hand and power tools.
  • Perform continuing and/or special operational or functional checks on machinery to avoid untimely or dangerous equipment breakdown, and identify when possible, development of unsafe situations.
  • Serve alone or as responsible lead man of two-man crew responsible for making lockage's.
The original posting

Full details

About the role

About the Position: This announcement is for a Lock and Dam Operator at La Grange Lock and Dam in Versailles, IL. Position may be filled at the WY-05, WY-07 or WY-08. If filled at the WY-05 or WY-07 position will have noncompetitive promotional potential to the WY-08.

Position is being filled under the Direct Hiring Authority (DHA).

What you will do

  • Operate electrically and/or hydraulically controlled lock or lock and dam gates, control valves, and other associated equipment for passage of traffic and maintenance of pool levels using oral, written, or radio transmission instructions.
  • Perform and/or direct other installation, repair, and maintenance tasks requiring application of craft or trade knowledge and skills using sketches, diagrams, or written/oral instructions and appropriate hand and power tools.
  • Perform continuing and/or special operational or functional checks on machinery to avoid untimely or dangerous equipment breakdown, and identify when possible, development of unsafe situations.
  • Serve alone or as responsible lead man of two-man crew responsible for making lockage's.
  • Perform seasonal duties such as grass cutting, trimming, gardening; snow shoveling; and clearing ice using appropriate tools and equipment.
  • Perform janitorial tasks such as cleaning control house and lock building, restroom facilities, standby equipment, etc.

How you will be evaluated

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

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. Basis for Rating: Qualified candidates will be assigned to one of three quality categories: Best Qualified, Highly Qualified and Qualified.

Veteran preference eligibles are listed ahead of non-preference eligibles within each quality category. Best Qualified. Candidates in this category possess exceptional skills and experience to exceed well above the minimum requirements for the announced position.

Highly Qualified. Candidates in this category possess good skills and experience above the minimum requirements for the announced position. Qualified.

Candidates in this category meet the minimum experience requirements for the announced position.

Documents you must provide

  • The documents you are required to submit vary based on whether or not you are eligible for preference in federal employment.
  • A complete description of preference categories and the associated required documents is in the Applicant Checklist for Public Announcements.
  • As described above, your complete application includes your resume, your responses to the online questionnaire, and documents which prove your 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 Most recent Performance Appraisal, if applicable 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

If you provided an email address, you will receive an email message acknowledging receipt of your application. Your application package will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. If you are determined to be ineligible or not qualified, your application will receive no further consideration.

Additional information

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 Field 18 - Engineers & Scientists position.

Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement. Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not 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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