POSITION SUMMARY

The location and nature of this position present unique working and living conditions. The On-Site Dam Tender position is required to perform operational duties on sensitive equipment along with caretaker duties for the cabins, museum, and park at the Owyhee Dam Compound. Due to the isolation of the dam compound, it is critical that an operator is always available at the compound. There is one On-Site Dam Tender position, one commuting Dam Tender position and several Alternate Dam and Hydro Operator positions. The on-site Tender must work with their supervisor to ensure that a Tender or a Operator is always on-site. The Tender needs to communicate and coordinate with the Watermaster if the Tender needs to leave the compound. The on-Site Dam Tender must live on site in district provided housing. This position requires one Tender or operator to be on-call (engaged to wait status) twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week during the irrigation season (April-October). When arrangements to leave the compound unattended have been made the operator must complete all required water changes and other crucial job duties before leaving the compound. This position deals with events outside of the District’s control (i.e., bad weather, power outages, etc.) that may not allow for scheduled days off at all. Owing to the above-mentioned living requirement management assumes the Tender will be home every night unless you have approved vacation and/or have coordinated for another Tender to be on-site. Generally, on-call pay, overtime and comp time aren’t available for this position unless extreme circumstances arise. Due to this, the On-Site Dam Tender position earns extra annual leave throughout the year and has free living accommodations such as housing, electricity, water, and internet. This is a high-volume recreational area that brings the public out at all different times, both day and night. Public relations skills are also essential. Road conditions can also be challenging in the winter months.

 

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Working primarily outside
• Working in dark, damp, confined spaces
• Walking long distances across sloped, uneven terrain.
• Work could be in inclement weather, including exposure to the sun in 100+-degree weather and below-freezing temperatures.
• Frequent repetitive movements, especially with hands, fingers, and wrists, to grasp, turn, and use tools.
• Regular bending, stooping, kneeling, and crouching.
• This position may require crawling over, under, and into small spaces.
• Often carry and use equipment and supplies weighing 50 lbs. or more.
• This position also involves periodic meetings and training.
• Work around high voltage electrical components
• Working on & around hydraulic machinery

 

RESPONSIBILITIES/Job Tasks

The following is a list of jobs that may be performed by the employee. However, this is not a complete list of tasks that may be required of the employee.

• Live at the Dam Compound
• Complete all morning reports
• Keep daily records
• Operate and maintain jet flow valves, guard gate, and regulatory gates in multiple locations
• Operate and maintain ring gate spillway
• Take instrumentation readings as scheduled and communicate if the readings may be missed
• Opportunity to learn hydro operations including the restart of Tunnel #1 & Dam Hydro Plants
• Must have a working knowledge of all types of office equipment including computer, fax, telephone, alarms, and systems
• Must deliver water to the canal system and be able to make changes using the computer and manually
• Will provide security at the compound and Dam and monitor cameras as needed
• Maintenance of the Compound which will include mowing the lawn, maintaining sprinkler system, the visitor center/museum/cabins and all other needs of facilities at the compound
• Collect money for campground spaces as instructed by Management
• Must lead out and train additional operation and maintenance staff assigned to work at the Dam, while working shoulder to shoulder with them
• Coordinate with management to ensure 24 hours a day seven (7) days a week coverage of the compound, unless other approved arrangements are made
• Conduct tours of the Owyhee Dam
• Maintain a good working relationship with all Federal, State, and local agencies

QUALIFICATIONS

•  Effectively manage own time and daily task while work independently with little to no daily supervision to ensure all tasks are accomplished timely and within established weekly hours worked parameters.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
•  Understand, use, and communicate technical information.
• Must be trained in first aid and CPR
• Must be eighteen (18) years of age.
• A valid Driver's License is required.
• Must attend Dam training classes by the Bureau of Reclamation. Must keep current SOP, EAP, and Dam training.
• Security clearance check by the Bureau of Reclamation