If you’re interested in a maintenance, trade, or craft position: The Corps of Engineers employs individuals in the maintenance, trade, and craft fields in a wide variety of positions. Some of those positions include: Lock and Dam Operators, Laborers, Maintenance Workers, Drill Rig Operators, Small Craft Operators, Engineer Equipment Operators, Power Plant Operators, Mechanics, Electricians, and a variety of other positions which require similar skills.
Maintenance, trade and craft employees are sometimes identified as “Blue Collar” or “Wage Grade” workers. These employees are paid hourly wages rates, which are periodically adjusted to bring them into line with prevailing wages paid to employees doing similar work in private industry. Pay varies, depending on the job classification.
Applicants are required to meet certain qualifications which are identified by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). These qualifications are based on the kind(s) and level(s) of skill, knowledge and ability the applicant possesses rather than number of years of experience or the amount of education required for particular positions. Some positions are filled at the trainee (apprentice) level allowing the employee to progress to the full journeyman without further competition.
Although most “blue collar” positions do not require you to move from one locality to another, opportunities for promotion may be increased by applying for and accepting moves in different geographic areas. Most “Wage Grade” or “Blue Collar” positions are announced vacancy announcements issued by Human Resource Office that services the location of the vacancy. If you are interested in pursuing a maintenance, trade or craft position, contact Human Resource Office in the geographic location where you are interested in working.
