River and Harbor Maintenance Worker, XF-4701-08/10 (71186)

About the role

This position serves as a River and Harbor Maintenance Worker assigned to a River Maintenance work group responsible for maintaining navigation infrastructure along the McClellan‑Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System (MKARNS). Employees primarily perform duties aboard floating plant equipment such as towboats, crane barges, and material barges. Work supports safe and reliable navigation by conducting towing, snagging, dredging, and maintenance or emergency repairs on navigation channels and structures. Operations are normally conducted within the Tulsa District and Little Rock District but may occasionally extend to other inland waterways.

Responsibilities

• Conduct minor electrical repairs on work barges and maintenance equipment including generators, air compressors, lighting systems, and gate machinery; replace defective wiring, relays, switches, outlets, thermostats, motors, and heaters.
• Perform sub-journeyman welding and cutting using acetylene and electric welding processes to repair structural steel and equipment.
• Diagnose mechanical problems and perform minor repairs on marine and heavy engineering equipment, including replacing radiators, fuel tanks, generators, batteries, belts, and pumps; assist journeyman mechanics with major repairs.
• Conduct maintenance and repair of lock and dam mechanical equipment, including tainter gates, miter gates, sector gears, valves, and related components.
• Operate heavy equipment such as bulldozers, backhoes, and front-end loaders for navigation channel maintenance on barges and on land.
• Operate diesel or gasoline trucks and tractor-trailers, including loading, securing, transporting, and unloading equipment and materials while selecting safe routes.
• Rig loads using chokers, slings, and tag lines and guide crane operations using hand signals during installation or removal of heavy components.
• Install cables, splice wire rope, and configure cranes for lifting, clamshell, or dragline operations.
• Assemble and dismantle scaffolding used in the inspection and repair of lock and dam structures.
• Maintain and repair tainter gates, valves, and associated equipment, including seal replacement and cable tension adjustments.
• Perform concrete repairs by forming, reinforcing, placing, and finishing concrete.
• Construct wooden structures such as storage bins, crane mats, scaffold flooring, and timber installations.
• Use sandblasting equipment to clean metal surfaces prior to painting.
• Prepare and apply protective coatings including vinyl, enamel, lacquer, epoxy, and antifouling paints.
• Perform basic plumbing repairs including installation and maintenance of piping, faucets, and fuel lines.
• Operate fleet support equipment including forklifts, trucks, winches, spuds, and water blasters, and conduct routine operator maintenance.
• Assist with pile driving operations, including positioning piles and measuring penetration.
• Perform general river maintenance tasks including debris removal, snagging operations, brush cutting, buoy handling, and loading materials onto barges.

Requirements

• Must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license.
• Must obtain and maintain a Commercial Driver's License (CDL).
• Subject to assignment during emergency situations such as high water events or accidents.
• Approximately 25% travel may be required for temporary duty assignments.
• Covered by the Civilian Drug Abuse Testing Program; incumbent must sign DA Form 5019-R or a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
• Must follow and promote established safety rules and regulations