Welcome to the Walla Walla District Careers Page

How to Apply

Most federal jobs are listed on USAJobs and Army Civilian Service

To apply for a job, there are four basic steps:

  1. Create an account and resume. 
  2. Search jobs.
  3. Apply for jobs.  
  4. Review your application status online.
 
HR TIPS: 
1.  Resume - Customize your resume to the announcement! A generic resume does not work. Use the “Specialized Experience” in the announcement to show you have the required skills at the next lower grade with dates, grade, duties/experience CLEARLY explained. It's going to take more than a one-page resume, but don’t go much over 4 pages if you want it to be read. Include the phone number for your supervisors. Look at the list of responsibilities/duties for hints of what is important to the supervisor and elaborate on those topics in your resume. 
2. Don't forget to include the applicable/required documents. Example: Transcripts (if qualifying based on education), SF-50 (current DoD/Corps employees), DD214 (military; showing honorably discharged), etc. 
 
Please send an e-mail to WWCorpsCareers@usace.army.mil if you have an inquiry concerning the hiring process (USAJOBS navigation, resume tips, etc.).

Corps-Wide Resume Repository

There is a great way to let us know you’d like to join our team. Our internal resume repository allows you to create a profile, upload your resume and transcripts, and let us know where and what kind of work you'd like to do! Supervisors across the organization will have access to your resume. Visit the site now to get started: https://usace.yellogov.com/app/collect/event/7lNayCVbqII6fcIsxACiSw/form/-BPEdVlITSYwKUSj2TzqSA

Job Announcement - Not Listed on USAJOBS

Biological Science Technician

Who May Apply: US Citizens.

This is a civilian position with the US Army Corps of Engineers at McNary Project. Recruitment/Relocation incentive may be authorized in accordance with agency policy. Employees working at McNary Dam and living in the State of Washington are exempt from Oregon state tax!

This position will be open from November 25th, 2024 - January 12th, 2025. Applications will not be reviewed until after January 13th, 2025. The anticipated start date will be March 10th, 2025.

This position is full-time permanent seasonal and is expected to work between 6 to 8 months out of the year.

Anyone wishing consideration for this opportunity must submit a resume along with your college transcripts, if relevant.

The application package MUST be submitted online at: https://usace.yellogov.com/app/collect/event/cPlspoAg5Yq2po3rYT3-Jw. Be sure to include LinkedIn Job Posting # NWW008.

Pay: $39,576.00 - $57,354.00 per year
Duty Location: Umatilla, OR
 

For questions regarding this recruitment, you may inquire via email to WWCorpsCareers@usace.army.mil.

Duties:

· Responsible for operation of juvenile fish bypass facilities.
· Collect and maintain data associated with the juvenile fish bypass program.
· Provide detailed reports to Supervisor on facility operations on a regular basis.
· Responsible for collecting fish data and monitoring overall fish behavior and condition.
· Make recommendations concerning facility and/or barge operations and equipment to improve overall operation.
· Responsible for ensuring fish facilities operations and equipment to improve overall operation.
· Coordinate with and/or assist researchers working on fish facilities or barges.
 

Conditions of Employment:

  • Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
  • Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
  • One year trial/probationary period may be required.
  • You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
  • Pre-employment physical is required.
  • Valid state driver’s license required.
  • This position requires shift work to provide coverage on evenings, weekends, holidays, or special situations.
  • This position has a heavy lifting requirement of 50lbs.
  • This is a full time SEASONAL position with Rotating Shifts.
  • This position is covered under the NATIONAL FEDERATION of FEDERAL EMPLOYEES (NFFE) Bargaining Unit.

Qualifications:

To qualify, you must meet the education and/or 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. 

GS-5 Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes experience in collecting and maintaining scientific data, operation of fish or other animal transportation equipment such as fish counters and other animal enumeration technology and electronic valves; and performing fish or other animal sampling operations using standard biological techniques. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-04).

OR

Education: Four-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree.

GS-6 Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes experience in the collection, holding and transportation of fish or other animals to include equipment operation such as electronic fish counters or other animal enumeration technology, electronic valves and pneumatic gates; and scientific data collection. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-05).

OR

Education: A half year (i.e., 9 semester hours) of graduate level education in a field directly related to the work of the position, such as biology, fish and wildlife, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics.

Job Announcements - Listed on USAJOBS

Open to the Public (U.S. Citizens):
 
Duty Location: Pasco, WA
Open & closing dates: 11/21/2024 to 12/04/2024
Located at Ice Harbor Project.
 
(GIS – Geospatial – General or Civil or Computer Engineer; or Physical Scientist; or Land Surveyor)
Duty Location: Walla Walla, WA
Open & closing dates: 11/27/2024 to 12/09/2024
Located in our Geospatial Section.
Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is authorized!
 
Duty Location: Umatilla, OR
Open & closing dates: 11/26/2024 to 12/09/2024
Located at McNary Project.
This job will close when we have received 50 applications which may be sooner than the closing date.
 
Duty Location: Umatilla, OR
Open & closing dates: 11/25/2024 to 12/09/2024
Located at McNary Project.
 
Duty Location: Umatilla, OR
Open & closing dates: 11/26/2024 to 12/09/2024
Located at McNary Project.
 
Duty Location: Clarkston, WA
Open & closing dates: 12/03/2024 to 12/16/2024
Located at Lower Granite Project.
Incentives May Be Authorized!
 
Duty Location: Boise, ID; Lewiston, ID; Clarkston, WA; or Walla Walla, WA
Open and closing dates: 12/03/2024 to 12/16/2024
Located in our Design Branch.
Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is authorized! Incentives May be Authorized!
Looking for a Regional Technical Specialist Electrical Engineer with experience designing power distribution, process control, and plant automation who also enjoys mentoring and networking with others internal and external to the district. 
 
Open to Federal Employees and Veterans:
 
Duty Location: Pasco, WA
Open & closing dates: 11/21/2024 to 12/04/2024
Located at Ice Harbor Project.
 
Chief Water Management Section
Duty Location: Walla Walla, WA
Open & closing dates: 11/27/2024 to 12/10/2024
Located in our Water Management Section.
Recruitment or Relocation Incentives may be authorized!
 
Chief Hydrologic Studies Section
Duty Location: Walla Walla, WA
Open & closing dates: 11/27/2024 to 12/10/2024
Located in our Hydrologic Section.
Recruitment or Relocation Incentives may be authorized!
 
Duty Location: Umatilla, OR
Open & closing dates: 11/27/2024 to 12/10/2024
Located at McNary Project.

Relocation, Recruitment, Student Loan Repayment or Advanced In-hire incentives MAY be authorized!

Duty Location: Clarkston, WA
Open & closing dates: 11/28/2024 to 12/11/2024
Located at Lower Granite Project.
Incentives May Be Authorized!

Career Fairs

2025 Upcoming Events:
 
April 2nd: FUSE Career Fair - Spokane, WA (A Career Consortium Event of Eastern Washington University, Gonzaga University, Whitworth University, Washington State University, and The University of Idaho)

Pay and Benefits

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 Annual Leave (Vacation)

Full-time employees with 0-3 years of service earn 4 hours of annual leave per pay period (13 days per year).

Full-time employees with 3-15 years of service earn 6 hours of annual leave per pay period (20 days per year).

Full-time employees with over 15 years of service earn 8 hours of annual leave per pay period (26 days per year).

Maximum year to year carry-over is 240 hours of annual leave.

For additional information visit OPM.gov

 Federal Employee’s Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP)

Supplemental vision and dental insurance is available.  For additional information visit OPM.gov or BENEFEDS

 Federal Employee’s Health Benefits (FEHB)

The Federal Employees Health Benefits Program offers several plans to choose from.  For additional information visit OPM.gov

 Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI)

The Federal Employees Group Life Insurance Program offers basic life insurance plus three types of optional insurances.  For additional information visit OPM.gov

 Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP)

The Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program provides long term care insurance for Federal employees and their parents, parents-in-law, stepparents, spouses, and adult children.  For additional information visit Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program

 Flexible Hours and Alternate Work Schedule
Employees may request approval to participate in an Alternate Work Schedule.
 Flexible Spending Account  (FSAFeds)
The Federal Flexible Spending Account Program allows you to pay for certain health and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.  For additional information visit OPM.gov
 Holidays

There are 11 paid holidays per year.  For additional information visit OPM.gov

 Military Leave
Up to 15 calendar days military leave per fiscal year are available if employee is in the Reserves or National Guard.  For additional information visit:  OPM.gov
 Military Time Buy-Back
A period of military service may be credited for retirement and death benefits purposes.  For additional information visit Army Benefits Center.
 Pay

Walla Walla District employees are paid bi-weekly.  Three pay plans are used by the US Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District, depending on the employee's job description.  The pay plan associated with any position may be found in the Vacancy Announcement.  Current pay plans include:

General Schedule (GS)

Pacific Northwest Regional Power Rates (WB)

Wage Grade (WG)

 Retirement
Most new permanent employees are automatically covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS).  FERS is a three-tiered retirement plan.  The three tiers are:  Social Security Benefits, FERS Basic Annuity, and Thrift Savings Plan.  For additional information visit OPM.gov
 Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn 4 hours of sick leave per pay period.  No maximum accumulation.  For additional information visit:  OPM.gov
 Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)
Thrift Savings Plan allows employees the opportunity to contribute pre-taxed salary into a retirement savings plan, similar to 401(K) plans offered by private sector employers.  The government matches up to five percent of the salary contributed by FERS employees.  For additional information visit:  TSP.gov

Pathways Program

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 General Information

The Pathways Program was established by Executive Order 13562 and is effective July 10, 2012. 

 Internship Program

The Internship Program is for current students.  It replaces the Student Career Experience Program (SCEP) and Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP).  The new Internship Program provides students in high schools, colleges, trade schools and other qualifying educational institutions with paid opportunities to work in agencies and explore Federal careers while completing their education.  To find out more about the Internship Program, go to the USAjobs or OPM websites.

 Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program
For more than three decades, the PMF Program has been the Federal Government's premier leadership development program for advanced degree (e.g., masters or professional degree) candidates.  Executive Order 13562 expands the eligibility window for applicants, making it more "student friendly" by aligning it with academic calendars and allowing those who have received a qualifying advanced degree within the preceding two years to participate.  It also directs OPM to set eligibility requirements and minimum qualification standards, and to make the PMF experience more robust and substantive for participants.
 Recent Graduates Program

The Recent Graduates Program provides developmental experiences in the Federal Government.  It is intended to promote possible careers in the civil service to individuals who, within the previous two years, graduated from qualifying educational institutions with an associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate from qualifying educational institutions.  To be eligible, applicants must apply within the previous two years of degree or certificate completion except for veterans precluded from doing so due to their military service obligation, who will have up to six years after degree or certificate completion to apply.  To find out more about the Recent Graduates Program, go to the USAjobs or OPM websites.