Federal

POWER PLANT TRAINEE I

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ยท Department of the Army
๐Ÿ“ Camden, Alabama WB-00 $40 - $40/hr
Posted: Feb 26, 2026 Deadline: Mar 12, 2026 (Closed days left)

About This Position

This is a public notice flyer to notify interested applicants of anticipated vacancies. Applications will NOT be accepted through this flyer. Interested applicants should review the "How to Apply" section of this flyer for more information on how to be considered. This flyer will be used as positions become available. There may or may not be actual vacancies filled from this flyer.

Qualifications

This is an entry level position to the Power Plant Trainee I with a Target Position to the either the Journeyman Mechanic/Electrician or Shift Operator. During tenure in the Hydropower Training Program, promotions are dependent upon successful performance, completion of required training and passing grades of satisfactory or higher on each part of the phase evaluation. Who May Apply: US Citizens In order to qualify, you must meet the experience requirements described below.

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.

Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document. 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 (Screen Out Element): Aptitude and Interest for Learning Trade Theory and Practice. The screen-out will designate that applicants have completed a job training program and/or have worked on an intermittent basis in a worker-trainee type position and am willing to do most types of work and are able to follow simple instructions to complete work assignments.

PHYSICAL EFFORT The incumbent frequently handles objects weighing 20 kilograms (45 pounds) and lifting and operating heavy and awkward hand tools. Many tasks require significant brute force. The incumbent is required to push, pull, reach, walk, stand, crawl, kneel, bend, and work in cramped positions over and under machinery of all types for sustained periods of time.

WORKING CONDITIONS Work is primarily performed inside the power plant, outlet works, intake structures, and spillway structure where constant noise and vibration of generating equipment is present. Hazards include moving machinery, working on preheated metals, danger of injury from burns, cuts, dust, welding fumes, and flying particles of metal when performing chipping, grinding, and welding. There may be occasional exposure to electrical shock hazards.

Often works in cramped quarters for extended periods of time. Subject to falls from scaffolds and ladders, hazards of paring cables or slings and overhead traveling cranes and exposure to working in cold damp areas. Appropriate protective clothing and/or equipment is provided to minimize or eliminate hazardous conditions and its use is mandatory.

Major Duties

Trainees will be hired to meet the future needs of USACE.

The program of study for the first year will be standard for all trainees and will address general knowledge required of journeymen working in a hydroelectric power plant.

Trainees must complete all parts of a four-year Training and Development Program for Hydroelectric Power Plant Personnel to be promoted.

Parts I and II of the training program consist of rotational on-the-job training, instruction, text assignments, and Plant Equipment Studies.

Trainees receive specific orientation, guidance and instructions on aspects of hydroelectric power station operation and maintenance through training in the craft specialty during the formal training program.

Classroom study and on-the-job work assignments are coordinated to relate basic theories to practical application of operation and maintenance activities of hydroelectric projects and are closely reviewed to assure satisfactory performance.

Trainees are responsible for meeting and maintaining standards of Federal employment, learning the study material, and having the ability to do the work required in the trade.

How You Will Be Evaluated

As vacancies occur, the Human Resources Office will review your resume to ensure you meet the hiring eligibility and qualification requirements listed in this flyer.

You will be rated based on the information provided in your resume, along with your supporting documentation. 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. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility. Veterans and Military Spouses will be considered along with all other candidates. If selected, you may be required to provide additional supporting documentation.

Additional Information

This announcement uses the DHA for Certain Competitive Service Positions direct hire authority to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to certain positions in the competitive service. 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. One year trial/probationary period may be required. 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(n) 18 Career Field position. Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.

Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement. When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit https://www.dfas.mil/civilianemployees/civrelo/Civilian-Moving-Expenses-Tax-Deduction/ for more information.

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

Interested Applicants must submit resumes/application packages to: [email protected] To apply for this position, you must submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility. Alternate applications (e.g., facsimile applications) will not be accepted.

The complete application package must be submitted to the email address provided above by 11:59 PM (EST) on 03/12/2026 to receive consideration.

Required Documents

Your complete application includes your resume and other documents which prove your qualifications and 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.

1.

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. Use plain language. 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.

  1. Other supporting documents: Cover Letter, optional

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the salary for the POWER PLANT TRAINEE I position at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers?
The salary range for this position is $40 - $40/hr. This is a WB-00 position on the General Schedule pay scale. Actual pay may vary based on locality adjustments.
Where is the POWER PLANT TRAINEE I job located?
This position is located in Camden, Alabama. This is an on-site position.
What qualifications do I need?
This is an entry level position to the Power Plant Trainee I with a Target Position to the either the Journeyman Mechanic/Electrician or Shift Operator. During tenure in the Hydropower Training Program, promotions are dependent upon successful performance, completion of required training and passing grades of satisfactory or higher on each part ...
How do I apply for this position?
Apply through USAJobs.gov by clicking the 'Apply on USAJobs' button. You'll need a USAJobs account, a federal-style resume, and supporting documents. The deadline is Mar 12, 2026.
Is a security clearance required?
No security clearance is required for this position.
What does WB-00 mean?
WB-00 refers to the General Schedule grade level. Higher grades require more experience and offer higher pay. Visit our GS Pay Scale page for full salary tables by grade and locality.
What benefits do federal employees receive?
Federal employees receive comprehensive benefits including health insurance (FEHB), retirement through FERS, Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with government matching, paid annual and sick leave, paid parental leave, life insurance, and student loan repayment programs.