Position Information

NY HELPNo

AgencyCanal Corporation

TitleCanal Worker 1 (#04502) or Canal Worker 2 (#04548) - Ft. Edward

Occupational CategorySkilled Craft, Apprenticeship, Maintenance

Salary Grade06

Bargaining UnitOSU - Operational Services Unit (CSEA)

Salary RangeFrom $18.70 to $28.09 Hourly

Employment Type Full-Time

Appointment Type Contingent Permanent

Jurisdictional Class Labor Class

Travel Percentage 10%

Schedule

Workweek Mon-Fri

Hours Per Week 40

Workday

From 7 AM

To 4 PM

Flextime allowed? No

Mandatory overtime? No

Compressed workweek allowed? No

Telecommuting allowed? No

Location

County Washington

Street Address 17 Broadway

City Ft. Edward

StateNY

Zip Code12828

Job Specifics

Duties Description Canal Worker 1:

The duties of the position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• As directed, performs routine maintenance of canal machinery, equipment, and vessels.
o Cleans and lubricates machinery, equipment, gears and cables and other moving parts, changes oil in motors.
o Prepares, polishes and paints equipment, vessels, machinery, and structures.
o Cleans debris from Locks, equipment, and surrounding areas.
o Assists higher level workers in repairing and overhauling machinery, equipment, channels, and embankments.

• Assists higher level Canal workers in operating locks, gates and dams and lift bridges.

• Performs general grounds maintenance or janitorial tasks such as clearing sites, raking or tilling soil, mowing, cutting brush and wood, trimming, and removing trees, maintaining roads, trails and sidewalks and removing snow, trash and other obstructions from around locks, dry docks, trails and other Canal structures and surrounding areas. Loads trucks with debris, dirt, and other material.

• Inspects, checks and patrols assigned areas to detect nonadherence to safety procedures, seepage, damage to banks and levees, navigational hazards, or vandalism.

• Reports defects, possible hazards, or potentially dangerous conditions to appropriate staff.

• Assists higher level Canal Operations Specialists in dredging operations and vessel operations
o Connects shore, pontoon pipe and spillway pipe and locates them as required.
o Assists in rigging of dredges and derrick boats.
o Handles lines and cables on tugs, tenders, and other vessels.
o Assists in dry-docking operations, handling lines and cables.

• Assists mechanics in performing routine and unskilled tasks in the repair and maintenance of automotive equipment and other machinery such as mounting and dismounting snowplows, salt spreaders, engines, transmissions, and differentials, performing minor engine tune-ups, changing oil, tires, batteries and cleaning and polishing vehicles and vessels.

• Assists with the setting, removal, and maintenance of navigational aids.

• Operates a variety of tools and equipment including:
o Hand and power tools, self-propelled and motorized equipment such as mowers, pumps, compressors, vehicles, small trucks, and light construction equipment.

Canal Worker 2:

May perform structure operation duties:
• Assists higher- level staff in operating locks, guard gates, movable dams and lift
bridges, and water control structures following detailed standing and special
procedures; may operate equipment independently depending on assigned shift.

• Interacts with canal users to provide information on canal rules and regulations,
conditions along the waterway and facilities, and respond to inquiries.

• Records operating data, daily weather, water level readings, a log of vessels
passing through and any unusual occurrences in accordance with specific
procedures and in a standard format.

• Performs regular routine maintenance tasks on such structural components as:
AC and DC motors and generators, panel boards, gear trains and racks, checks
fluid levels, replaces filters, replaces light bulbs, and fused in arc lights and
signals per standard instructions, and reports any malfunctions to higher-level
staff.

• During the navigation season, they may provide guidance to seasonal staff who
perform the most routine work in and around a canal structure.

May perform dredging operation duties:
• Assists staff in dredging operations and vessel operations; connects shore,
pontoon pipe and spillway pipe, and locates them as required, assists in rigging
of dredges and derrick boats and UPS repairs and maintenance.

• Assists with the setting, removal, and maintenance of navigational aids.

• Assists mechanics in performing routine and unskilled tasks in the repair and
maintenance of equipment and other machinery including Floating Plant
equipment and machinery.

Assists in a variety of maintenance activities during both the navigation and winter
seasons such as pump outs, upland disposal site (UDS) and embankment preparation, maintenance, and repair, and responding to weather related emergency situations, as directed.

May operate trucks and construction equipment appropriate to the level of the
Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) required.

Performs routine maintenance of canal machinery, equipment, and vessels.
Assists higher-level workers in repairing and overhauling machinery, equipment,
structures, channels, and embankments.

Operates a variety of hand and power tools according to the task at hand.
May act as a crew leader providing advice and assistance to crew members to aid in completing assignments.

Minimum Qualifications Canal Worker 1 (Labor Class):

Must be at least 18.

Physically capable of performing duties assigned (work will predominately be outdoors). No specific education or experience required.

Canal Worker 2 (Non-Competitive Class):

Non-competitive: Two years of experience in maintenance, repair and or mechanical work including at least one-year operating construction equipment, and possession of a valid New York State Class B Commercial Driver’s License (CDL-B) with no air brake restriction.

Promotion: One year of permanent service as a Canal Worker 1, and possession of a valid New York State Class B Commercial Driver’s License (CDL-B) with no air brake restriction.

Candidates must possess and continuously maintain a valid driver license appropriate to the types of vehicles being operated.

***Please note that US Coast Guard or OTETA Drug Testing is required for these positions.***

Prior to appointment, the candidate must successfully complete pre-employment drug screening appropriate to the duties and responsibilities assigned. External candidates who cannot successfully complete the drug testing requirements may not be offered employment and/or have their job offer rescinded. Internal candidates (current employees) who do not successfully complete the pre-employment drug testing requirements may be subject to administrative action up to and including termination.

** Please note that once appointed, this position is included in a random drug testing pool and therefore employees will be required to submit to random, periodic drug testing for the duration of their service in positions included in a random drug testing pool. **

Additional Comments ***Please note that Ft. Edward is seeking to fill 1 position at either the Canal Worker 1 or Canal Worker 2 level, depending upon the credentials of the selected candidate.***

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/

Parking is provided

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…

Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.

How to Apply

Name Recruitment@Canals.ny.gov

Telephone 518-449-6003

Fax

Email Address Recruitment@Canals.ny.gov

Address

Street 30 South Pearl St

City Albany

State NY

Zip Code 12207

 

Notes on Applying**E-MAIL SUBMISSION PREFERRED**

Interested candidates who meet the minimum qualifications for the position should complete an application and forward to recruitment@canals.ny.gov by the application deadline of April 7, 2026. Please include the position title, "Canal Worker 1 or 2 - Fort Edward", in the subject line of your email to ensure receipt of your application. Applications can be found at https://www.canals.ny.gov/about/jobs/index.html

The New York Power Authority/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