Irrigation System Operator

Created at: August 07, 2025 00:24

Company: Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs

Location: COOLIDGE, AZ, 85128

Job Description:

This position is located with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, San Carlos Irrigation Project in Coolidge, Arizona. This is a Bargaining Unit position, for more information see What are bargaining units? NOTE: TRAVEL AND RELOCATION EXPENSES WILL NOT BE AUTHORIZED. ANY RELOCATION EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH REPORTING FOR DUTY WILL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE SELECTED EMPLOYEE.
To be hired at the GS-5 entry grade level, applicants must minimally have: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-04 grade level in the federal service. Specialized Experience is defined as farming or ranching work that provided knowledge of soil and water conservation practices and irrigation procedures used in the geographical area for which application is made. Construction, maintenance, or operating work that provided a knowledge of the control, regulation, distribution, and measurement of water. Controlling, clearing, repairing, and maintaining irrigation ditches, canals, and equipment, or soil conservation or engineering technician work where the duties provided a knowledge of irrigation procedures. OR SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR GS-5 SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Successful completion of a full 4-year of study leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such as civil engineering, agriculture, soil management or conservation, physical science, mathematics, or range management or conservation. To be hired at the GS-6 grade level, applicants must minimally have: One year specialized experience equivalent to a GS-5 in the federal service. Specialized experience is defined as Farming or ranching work that provided knowledge of soil and water conservation practices and irrigation procedures used in the geographical area for which application is made. Construction, maintenance, or operating work that provided a knowledge of the control, regulation, distribution, and measurement of water. Controlling, clearing, repairing, and maintaining irrigation ditches, canals, and equipment, or soil conservation or engineering technician work where the duties provided a knowledge of irrigation procedures. At the GS-6 level Education is normally not applicable. The full performance level of this position is GS-6. Promotion potential in this announcement does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to promote the employee selected at some future date. A career ladder promotion is at the discretion of management, and in no way guaranteed. Physical Requirements: physical lifting, pulling, carrying, lift, carry and set up tools, equipment, lumber, cement steel and other items weighing up to 100 pounds. Maneuver on and around project structures both during maintenance and during operation; includes standing, stooping, bending, kneeling, climbing and working in typical construction and maintenance worksites (trenches, scaffolds, platforms, ladders). Working Conditions: Outside work in all kinds of weather, on all kinds of terrain and with footing conditions from dry and solid to wet, deep mud and around deep water. Breathing conditions are generally good, but temperatures vary by location. All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Merit Promotion candidates must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the announcement closing date. Preference in filling vacancies is given to qualified Indian candidates in accordance with the Indian Preference Act of 1934 (title 25, USC Section 472). Additional selections may be made from this announcement if identical vacancies occur in the same location within 90 days from the closing date.
Regulate and distribute irrigation water from and between storage reservoirs at diversions and in canals, and at all delivery points within the specified work territory. Receive water orders, take daily measurements, maintain records of water delivery, reservoir inflow and instream flows; calculate requirements and arranges quantity, time and duration of deliveries. Operate Project distribution facilities (dam gates, canal gates, checks) to regulate and deliver water in accordance with Project policies. Responsible for constant surveillance of condition of reservoirs, dams, canals, structures, buildings, recorder stations and other facilities. Work with maintenance crew to clean ditches and structures, repair and replace structures, build/place concrete forms and operate hand or power tools.


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