Review Vacancy
TitleChief Lock Operator - Ft. Edward - #03477 (NY HELPS)
Occupational CategorySkilled Craft, Apprenticeship, Maintenance
Bargaining UnitOSU - Operational Services Unit (CSEA)
Salary RangeFrom $22.97 to $32.02 Hourly
Duties Description Reporting to a Canal Electrical Supervisor, Canal Section Superintendent and/or Transportation Maintenance Engineer (Waterways) the incumbent of this position will be responsible on a 24-hour basis for the operation and maintenance of a canal lock and any associated structures. This includes the immediate supervision of any employees needed to operate the associated structures on the day shift in a three-shift operation, and supervision of the work of Canal Structure Operators assigned the operation of the structures on the second and third shift. Incumbents also plan and carry out the off-navigation season maintenance work plan. The duties of the position include, but are not limited to, the following:
Performs all the duties of a Canal Structure Operator.
Plans, supervises and conducts a preventative maintenance program on a daily basis for the assigned lock and any associated structures.
• Conducts daily inspection of machinery, rotary pumps, seals, filters, reservoirs, thermostatic heaters, hydraulic circuits, electric circuits, master control centers, operating panels, motor generator sets, water turbine generators, limit switches, overload relays, relays, contact, master switch coils, starters, circuit breakers, and arc, navigation, pilot and traffic signal lights.
• Performs regular maintenance tasks, cleans and lubricates machinery and replaces worn or defective parts.
• Issues written instructions to Canal Structure Operators on second and third shifts to perform needed maintenance or housekeeping chores and inspects the following day to ensure compliance.
• Applies preservatives to quoins and miters used to seal lock gates.
Maintains good public relations during lock operation phase.
• Collects tolls and permit fees as required.
• Informs pleasure boat operators of tolls and permit fees, locking schedules, distance between locks, speed limits, availability of, and location of marinas.
• Informs commercial boat owners of boat locations and weather conditions.
• Informs tourists and visitors of canal lock operations and required safety precautions.
Prepares daily report of activities associated with lock operations including daily wind, weather, temperature and water level, any violations of Canal Rules and Regulations and any accidents entailing damage to canal facilities.
Based on knowledge of mechanical, electrical and hydraulic equipment in need of major repair, prepares detailed schedule of such repairs for Off Navigation Season Maintenance Program, including work hours required and submits to Canal Electrical Supervisor.
During the off-navigation season supervises a small crew of Canal Structure Operators in the conduct of such electrical and mechanical repair as:
• Removes electrical motor, disassembles, cleans and replaces worn parts, lubricates, paints and reassembles.
• Removes, repairs and reassembles panel boards, brake assemblies, switches, overload relays, magnetic starters, thermostats and circuit breakers.
• Dismantles, paints, reinsulates and reassembles resistor grids.
• Assists maintenance crew in major rebuildings involving removal and reassembly of lock gates and valves.
Minimum Qualifications NY HELPS
This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).
For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title maybe filled via a non-competitive appointment, which means no examination is required but all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the title for which they apply. At this time, agencies may recruit and hire employees by making temporary appointments. In May 2024, if a temporary NY HELPS employee is satisfactorily performing in the position, the appointment will be changed from temporary pending Civil Service Commission Action to permanent non-competitive and the official probationary period will begin.
At a future date (within one year of permanent appointment), it is expected employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non-competitive employment status converted to competitive status, without having to compete in an examination. Employees will then be afforded with all of the same rights and privileges of competitive class employees of New York State. While serving permanently in a NY HELPS title, employees may take part in any promotion examination for which they are qualified.
NON-COMPETITIVE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
1). Three years of experience (or 36 months) in the operation and assembly/maintenance of mechanical, electrical, automotive or diesel machinery; or
2). 3 years (or 36 months) of experience working on a canal, twelve months of which must have included working at a canal lock and/or lift bridge; or
3). A certificate of completion from a BOCES or a post-high school program in electrical maintenance, electrical construction; or mechanical, automotive, diesel repair or technology and thirty months of experience in the operation and assembly/maintenance of mechanical, electrical, automotive or diesel machinery or thirty months of experience working on a canal, three months of which must have included working at a canal lock and/or lift bridge; or
4). Thirty college semester credit hours in electrical construction, electrical maintenance or in hydraulic, mechanical, automotive diesel repair or technology and twenty-four months of experience in the operation and assembly/maintenance of mechanical, electrical, automotive or diesel machinery.
COMPETITIVE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Candidates have a score reachable for appointment from the most recently established eligible list for Canal Structure Operator (List #38-259) OR candidates must have one year of permanent competitive or 55b/c service in a title eligible for transfer under the provisions of Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law.
Additional Comments The New York State Canal Corporation (Canals), a subsidiary of the New York Power Authority, is responsible for overseeing and maintaining the 524-mile waterway for boating, recreation, tourism and agriculture. The New York State Canal System includes the Erie, Champlain, Oswego and Cayuga -Seneca canals, linking the Hudson River with the Great Lakes, the Finger Lakes and Lake Champlain. The 200-year-old NYS Canal System extends over 524 miles and plays important roles in New York’s economic development, tourism industry and environmental stewardship.
For more information on The New York State Canal Corporation’s mission, values and opportunities, please visit https://www.canals.ny.gov/
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
Name Recruitment@canals.ny.gov
Email Address recruitment@canals.ny.gov
Address
Notes on Applying***Please note that E-mail submissions are preferred***
Interested candidates who meet the minimum qualifications should submit a cover letter and resume by May 12, 2025, to recruitment@canals.ny.gov. Please include the position title, "Chief Lock Operator - Ft. Edward - #03477" in the subject line of your email to ensure receipt of your application.
The New York State Canal Corporation offers its employees a generous and comprehensive benefits plan, which includes:
Holiday & Paid Time Off
• Nine (9) paid holidays annually
• Four (4) paid floating holidays annually
• Earn up to thirteen (13) days of paid vacation leave annually
• Earn five (5) days of paid personal leave annually
• Earn up to thirteen (13) days of paid sick leave annually
Health Benefits
• Participation in the New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP) and access to their variety of affordable health insurance options
• Pre-Tax contribution program
• Dental and Vision benefits at no additional cost
• Opt-Out incentive program
• Flex Spending Account (FSA)
Additional Benefits
• CSEA representation and access to their benefits
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Professional development and promotional opportunities
• Qualified employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• New York State Employees’ Retirement System (ERS) Membership
• NYS Deferred Compensation
• And many more…
The New York State Canal Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer.
The New York Power Authority and Canal Corporation believes that diversity, equity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage women, people of color, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents and veterans to apply. As an equal opportunity employer, NYPA/Canals is committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect communities across New York and enthusiastically serve them. We proudly celebrate diversity and do not discriminate based on race/color, creed/religion, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, age, disability, military status, gender/sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, pregnancy and related conditions, familial/marital status, domestic violence victim status, predisposing genetic characteristics, arrest/criminal conviction record or any other category protected by law.
NYPA/Canals will also provide reasonable accommodations during the hiring process related to candidates’ disabilities, pregnancy-related conditions, religious observances/practices and/or domestic violence concerns. To request an accommodation, please email accessibility@nypa.gov.
Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation. If such information has been requested from the candidate before such time, please contact the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at info@goer.ny.gov.