Summary
Reclamation is seeking a career professional looking for an opportunity to capitalize on their expertise as a Mechanical Engineer (Recent Graduate). You can make a difference in the West by assisting in meeting increasing water demands while protecting the environment.
Duties
Engineering Analysis- Performs engineering analyses to include performing and/or coordinating technical planning activities; data collection (including validation and management); design; modeling and data analyses; analyses of site location and/or conditions; troubleshooting mechanical equipment and systems; and risk estimation and analyses. Documentation and Presentation- Prepares and reviews technical documentation such as technical memorandums and reports, engineering study analyses and results, correspondence, etc. Investigations, Assessments, and/or Inspections- Plans, schedules, coordinates, and conducts mechanical engineering facility examinations, reviews, and/or inspections which include conducting condition assessments and construction and transfer inspections. Other Duties: Project Management, Administration of contracts and agreements, Database Operation. GS-05: Serves as a basic entry-level trainee mechanical engineer. Assignments are like those assigned to non-professional employees, but such tasks are primarily for training purposes, and, in some cases, to relieve higher-grade engineers of routine work. GS-07: Serves as an advanced entry-level trainee mechanical engineer. Assignments are primarily for training purposes, and, in some cases, to relieve higher-grade engineers of routine work. GS-09: Serves as an advanced trainee mechanical engineer. Participates with higher graded engineer in planning and accomplishment of specific work assignments. Performs design and layout of mechanical equipment systems such as plumbing, heating, air conditioning, steam distribution, etc. GS-11: Serves as a journey level Mechanical Engineer performing a full range of conventional, journey level assignments.
Requirements
Must provide proof of U.S. citizenship. Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication. Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service. Direct Deposit participation required. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, visit www.dhs.gov/EVerify/. Must have and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment. You are required to wear a uniform and comply with the uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided. You are required to complete training, obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority. You must be at least (1)18 years old or (2) at least 16 years old and: (a) Have graduated from high school or been awarded a certificate equivalent to graduating from high school; or (b) Have completed a formal vocational training program; or (c) Have received a statement from school authorities agreeing with their preference for employment rather than continuing their education; or (d) Be currently enrolled in a secondary school and either work only during school vacation periods or work part-time during the school year under a formal student employment program. Recent Graduates will enter a formal training program with a mentor and execute an Individual Development Plan outlining training requirements and program expectations. Recent Graduates must receive at least 40 hours of formal training directly linked to their employment field. Recent Graduates will be required to sign a Pathways Recent Graduate Participant Agreement. Recent Graduate applicants must meet all eligibility and qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement, 08/20/2026. To be eligible, you must meet one of the following: A student that has completed, within the previous two years, a qualifying associate's, bachelor's, master's, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution. Certain exceptions to the two-year limitation will be made for veterans who, due to military service obligations, were precluded from applying to the Program during the two-year eligibility period. OR, An individual who has completed a qualifying career or technical education program which may include Registered Apprenticeship Programs, Job Corps, Climate Corps, AmeriCorps, and Peace Corps or specific Volunteer Service Programs.
Education
Qualifications Continued... To qualify for this position at the GS-09 grade level: Specialized Experience Requirement: you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: Provide support to higher-graded engineers in reviewing inspection data of equipment/systems; knowledge of mechanical engineering concepts; experience developing mechanical engineering designs and plans for mechanical utility systems using computer software. You must include hours per week worked. -OR- Education: Successful completion of at least a masters or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years (36 semester hours) of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of the position, such as Mechanical Engineering. You must include transcripts. -OR- Combination of education and experience. To combine education and experience, first take the number of months of full-time experience and divide by 12 months. Then, divide your semester hours of graduate education beyond the first year (total graduate semester hours minus 18) by 18. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include hours per week and transcripts. To qualify for this position at the GS-11 grade level: Specialized Experience Requirement: you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: Performing more independent data collection, designs, preparing cost estimates, and engineering duties concerned with design, construction, maintenance and operation for hydroelectric powerplants, pumping plant, dams, reservoirs, canal structures, various offices and shop facilities; knowledge of mechanical engineering concepts; perform inspections and investigation of equipment/systems. You must include hours per week worked. -OR- Education: Successful completion of at least a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years (54 semester hours) of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of the position, such as Mechanical Engineering. You must include transcripts. -OR- Combination of education and experience. To combine education and experience, first take the number of months of full-time experience and divide by 12 months. Then, divide your semester hours of graduate education beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include hours per week and transcripts. 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. This position has a mandatory education requirement. You must submit a copy of your transcript(s) to support claimed education if substituting education for experience. Transcripts must include your name, school name, grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, and date the degree was conferred, if applicable. A typed list of courses, grades, semester/quarter hours, GPA, etc. will not be accepted. Non-submission may result in being rated not qualified for the position. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work. Foreign Education: To receive credit for education completed outside the United States, you must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs. Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | U.S. Department of Education. https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualification
How you will be evaluated
Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g. resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, and the result of any additional assessment(s) required for this position. Your resume must not exceed 2 pages. Only the document submitted as the "Resume" under the Documents section will be used to determine your qualifications/eligibility and for rating purposes. In the event you submit more than one resume, only the latest submission will be reviewed. Minimally qualified students will be referred to the supervisor in unranked order by veterans preference status: Preference eligibles having a compensable, service-connected disability of 10 percent or more; All other candidates eligible for 10 point veterans preference; Candidates eligible for 5 point veterans preference; and Candidates not eligible for veterans preference. You will be assessed in the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Attention to Detail Customer Service Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Reading Comprehension Reasoning Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires successful completion of the USA Hire Assessment, if required. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. All Department of Interior (DOI) employees, their spouses, and minor children may not acquire or retain any claim, permit, lease, small tract entry, or other rights granted by the Department in Federal lands, with limited exceptions. Additional ethics prohibitions can be found here, https://www.doi.gov/ethics/ethics-prohibitions.