The Facility Operations Specialist serves as the primary assistant to the Supervisory Facility Operations Specialist in charge of Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) operations located at the National Plant Germplasm Quarantine Center (NPGQC) in Beltsville, Maryland. Provides input and assistance in managing the administrative activities and operations provided in support of all research scientists located at the NPGQC.

Duties

The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity. The duties may include, but are not limited to: Develops and oversees the implementation of operating procedures and insures that the programming of manpower, material, and equipment for preventive and emergency maintenance is accomplished. Collaborates with the Supervisory Facility Operations Specialist with the oversight of the operation, maintenance, and repair of all major utility systems and infrastructure at the facility, including: heating and cooling equipment; water-distribution, sewage, and BSL-3AG waste-sterilization systems; electrical distribution systems and emergency generators; telecommunications systems; and all physical structures such as laboratories, greenhouses, offices, and support buildings, to include all specialized equipment associated with such structures. Collaborates on maintenance and operations decisions regarding such issues as equipment repair/replacement; prioritizing deferred maintenance backlog. Establishes, directs, and reviews preventive maintenance and inspection programs. Implements upgrades and system maintenance in accordance with existing APHIS and NPGQC protocols and in compliance with all applicable building code, environmental, and safety regulations. Has primary daily responsibility for managing and maintaining the facility's Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS). Serves as the alternate Biocontainment/Biosecurity Facilities Officer and is jointly responsible for the continuous 24/7 operation and maintenance of the BSL-3AG High Containment Greenhouse Laboratory

Requirements

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Individuals who were born male after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of one year probationary period, unless previously served.
• Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/.
• In accordance with Office of Government Ethics regulations concerning conflict of interest, the incumbent will be required to submit a financial disclosure report within 30 days of their effective date of appointment and annually thereafter.
• The work requires a substantial amount of walking, occasional bending, and moderate-to-heavy lifting.
• Some aspects of the work require the incumbent to climb ladders and involve exposure to heights in excess of thirty feet.
• Frequently enters laboratories, screen houses, greenhouses, and utility system rooms.
• When entering selected portions of the facility, the incumbent must wear protective clothing because pesticides are in use. In some very high-secure areas more rigorous requirements, including showering, exist.
• The nature of work where research is being conducted on plant pathogens of high risk or Select Agents outlined in the 7 CFR 331, will require incumbent to submit to FBI Background Investigation at the appropriate level for this public trust position.
• Due to the nature of the work performed at the NPGQC facilities and the critical importance of their continuous 24/7 operation, the incumbent will be expected to be responsible for ensuring that the NPGQC remains fully operational.
• Incumbent will function as primary Facility Operations Specialist in the absence of the supervisor

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. TIME-IN-GRADE: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. FOR THE GS-11 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-09 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Knowledge of maintenance management principles and techniques. Interpret, select, adopt, modify, program, and apply numerous engineering guidelines and operating principles. Developing plans, establishing priorities, coordinating, provide implementation oversight, and advising management on the full range of facility and installation management principles and techniques. Knowledge of and ability to use a variety of different databases and software programs used in facility management. Knowledge of program procedures for high containment facilities and high security greenhouses. OR 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree with major study in engineering, industrial arts, property management, or business administration. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: You are qualifying for the position based on education. You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university. COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-11 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level. 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). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

Please see above for education qualification requirement information.

Contacts

• Address Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service USDA APHIS MRPBS 250 Marquette Avenue, Suite 410 Minneapolis, MN 55401 US
• Name: APHIS Human Resources
• Phone: 612-336-3227
• Email: [email protected]