Locomotive Engineer

Summary In this position, you will operate and maintain historic steam and diesel locomotives for passenger excursions of up to 120 miles roundtrip on a high-speed, heavy grade mainline railroad, as well as operating these trains around the rail yard and in routine railroad switching. This is a Career-Seasonal appointment which is a permanent position and includes the same benefits as Career appointments, but do not provide work on a year-round basis. Responsibilities Serve as a qualified as a locomotive inspector of historic steam and diesel locomotives and historic railroad cars in accordance with the Federal Railway Administration and Railroad regulations, specifications, and procedures. Ensure that train operations, railyard and mainline, operate in accordance with all applicable National Park Service (NPS), Northeast Operating Rules Advisory Committee (NORAC} and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) policies and regulations Assist the Railroad Operations Supervisor with development of the park railroad safety program, including training, program administration, and qualifying paid and volunteer engineers and firemen. Operate a wide range of locomotive controls including numerous switches and valves, throttle, reverser and train and engine brakes and is required to manually, as needed, hand fire steam locomotives, including cutting coal in the tender. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. citizen or national. All requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. A one-year probationary period may be required. You are required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program. Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication. A valid state drivers license is required. You will be required to submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test result prior to appointment. In addition, this position is subject to random testing for illegal drug use. You will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided. You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work. You may be required to travel up to 1 night per month. Career-Seasonal appointments are permanent positions and include the same benefits as Career appointments, but do not provide work on a year-round basis. You will work for approximately 11 months and be in a non-pay status for the remainder of the year. Qualifications In order to be qualified for this position, you must possess the ability to do the work of a locomotive engineer with only occasional oversight of your work by a supervisor. Your experience must include operating and maintaining rolling stock, track cars, and steam and diesel locomotives. The locomotives were operated as part of passenger excursions, as well as in routine yard switching. You must have inspected and assisted in the repair of locomotives and railroad cars in accordance with regulations and specifications; and maintained logs as required by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). In addition, you must be able to obtain and maintain a Northeast Operating Rules Advisory Committee (NORAC) Locomotive Engineer certificate within the first 90 days of employment. Your resume must detail fully how you meet the experience described above. Failure to do so may lead to your disqualification. To qualify for this position, you must have sufficient knowledge and ability in the following job-related factors: Ability to Do the Work of the Position without More Than Normal Supervision (SCREEN OUT) Ability to Drive Safely (Motor Vehicles) Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (Related to Mobile Equipment Operation) Ability to Operate Safely (Non-motor Vehicles) Operation of Motor Vehicles Reliability and Dependability Work Practices (Including Keeping Things Neat, Clean, and in Order) 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. 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. 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 Wage Grade (WG) positions. Additional Information A selectee receiving a first appointment to the Federal Government (Civil Service) is entitled only to the lowest step of the grade for which selected. The display of a salary range on this vacancy shall not be construed as granting an entitlement to a higher rate of pay. This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate. Physical Demands: The Locomotive Engineer position requires considerable physical agility and effort in pushing, pulling, lifting, positioning and turning various braking, switching and coupling devices, i.e., draw bars, walking over rail, ties and track ballast and climbing aboard locomotives and rail cars. Working Conditions: The incumbent of the position will frequently work under many adverse conditions in both good and bad weather, i.e., snow, heavy rain and windy and in hot (as high as 130 degrees) and in cold temperatures (sometimes below zero). The incumbent of the position is subject to holiday, weekend, and overtime, not to exceed twelve hours work schedule.