LOCK AND DAM OPERATOR
This listing is for a LOCK AND DAM OPERATOR role at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in Multiple Locations, United States. The listing describes it as a full-time position.
DGJ summary of this job
Our own short read of this listing, built only from the facts it gives. The employer’s original text follows further down.
This listing is for a LOCK AND DAM OPERATOR role at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in Multiple Locations, United States. The listing describes it as a full-time position.
Pay stated in the listing: $26.52 - $38.41 per hour.
Visa sponsorship is not mentioned. Applicants from outside United States should check the official work permit route before applying.
Dev Global Jobs found this job on USAJobs on Nov 6, 2026; applications close on Nov 20, 2026.
- Employer
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- Location
- Multiple Locations, United States
- Job type
- Full-time
- Pay
- $26.52 - $38.41 per hour
- Found
- Nov 6, 2026 on USAJobs
- Closes
- Nov 20, 2026
- Employer text
- 803 words, about 4 min to read
- Apply only on the official page (usajobs.gov). Dev Global Jobs is not the employer and never asks for a fee.
- Plan to apply before Nov 20, 2026.
- Read the employer’s full text below (about 4 min) before you apply.
- Build or check your CV with the free DGJ CV Builder.
DGJ Insight
Our own data about this role and place, from official statistics and our live job index.
This job's listed pay is 23% below the benchmark.
Source: OECD Average annual wages, 2025
- H-1B specialty occupation: Employer petition, bachelor's degree or higher in the specialty; annual cap and lottery
- L-1 intracompany transferee: Employees of a related company abroad transferring to a US office
- O-1 extraordinary ability: Evidence of extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, education, business or athletics
Official routes: USCIS
About the role
Full text from the employer, as published on USAJobs, arranged into sections. Nothing added or removed.
Who May Apply: US Citizens 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. There is no specific length of training or experience required.
However, you must be able to demonstrate, through experience shown in your written application materials that you possess the sufficient knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the work of this position without more than normal supervision. Minimum Qualifications at WY-05 (Screen Out Element): Ability to do the work of a Lock and Dam Operator without more than normal supervision.
Ability to perform common tasks including various maintenance or repair tasks utilizing mechanical or electrical equipment. Operate simple electrical or mechanical equipment such as lawn mower, hedge clippers, floor buffer, jackhammer, power threader, or power wrench. Work is under supervision of a work leader or journey-level employee who reviews work for completion. - Failure to meet this Screen Out Element will result in an ineligible rating.
Minimum Qualifications at WY-07 (Screen Out Element): Ability to do the work of a Lock and Dam Operator without more than normal supervision. Ability to perform common tasks including operating lock chamber gates and lock chamber emptying and filling valves manually or by using simple mechanical equipment. Operate radio, hydraulic pumps, air compressor, standby generators and tow haulage equipment.
Perform preventative maintenance tasks such as oiling and greasing cables, chains, and pulleys; cleaning and painting lock fixtures or other appurtenances; cleaning, sharpening and repairing tools and equipment. Work is under supervision of a work leader or journey-level employee who reviews work for completion. - Failure to meet this Screen Out Element will result in an ineligible rating.
Minimum Qualifications at WY-09 (Screen Out Element): Ability to do the work of a Lock and Dam Operator without more than normal supervision. Ability to perform common lock operations tasks such as: operating electrically or hydraulically controlled lock and dam equipment, gates and valves.
Make minor repairs to lock and dam equipment; apply locking procedures, policies, and laws regarding traffic right-of-way, sequence of operations and safe passage of hazardous commodities and damaged crafts; and comply with governing safety practices and procedures. Work is under normal supervision of a work leader or journey-level employee who observes tasks in progress and upon completion to make sure they are properly performed. - Failure to meet this Screen Out Element will result in an ineligible rating.
Physical Effort: Eye and hand coordination for operating various controls and handling lines while observing traffic and personnel, during crane lifting operations, lifting dam gates, etc. There is standing, stooping, bending, occasional lifting in excess of 50 pounds, stretching, working in cramped positions and spaces, handling or maneuvering bulky items or equipment, and general continuous moderate to arduous physical effort required.
01Working Conditions
Preponderance of work is performed outside subject to extremes of temperature and weather. There is exposure to injuries associated with working in restricted areas, occasionally cramped or uncomfortably hot or cold areas, from falling objects, from working with electrical power tools, and from falls while working on lock walls, dam service bridge, etc.
While possibility of drowning exists as a result of falls while working around water, hazard is practically eliminated through observance of safety procedures and use of safety equipment. During maintenance operations is occasionally exposed to unpleasant fumes, dust, etc. Management may select at any of the grade levels announced. This position has promotion potential to the WY-09. WY-09 requires IMTS certification unless exempt through provisions for grandfathered applicants. Promotion is never automatic.
Promotion is based on the recommendation by the supervisor that employee meets all necessary qualification requirements for promotion, is performing the full scope of the major duties, and is functioning under the supervisory controls as stated in the target job description.
Handles bow or stern lines, walks lines to proper locations along wall and snubs lines to assist pilot in maneuvering craft into position.,Operates electrical or electronic gate control to open or close gates at one end of the lock chamber.,Removes debris or ice in path of gates or in lock wall recesses to avoid equipment or machinery damage.,Operates electrically, electronic, or hydraulically controlled valves controlling flow of water for emptying landfilling operation.,During double lockages, operates electrical tow haulage unit as applicable to move barges into and out of lock chamber.,Operates electrical or electronic controls to raise or lower dam gates in accordance with specific instructions regarding time and degree of gate change.,Performs work required for the installation, repair and maintenance of lock or lock and dam machinery and equipment of mechanical or electrical type; concrete work, etc.,Performs continuing and special operational or functional checks on machinery to avoid untimely or dangerous equipment breakdown.
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