This position is located within the Facilities Engineering Unit of the National Animal Disease Center (NADC) for USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in Ames, IA. In this position, you will perform routine and nonroutine maintenance and repair projects on equipment and systems in the Utility Plant.

Duties

Performs routine and nonroutine operation, maintenance, and repair of electrical, plumbing, boiler plant, chiller plant, and generator plant systems and components. Operates, repairs, maintains and monitors a bank of multiple mechanically fired, gas and oil-fueled water and fire tube boilers, whose maximum generating capacity is 320,000 lb. of steam per hour at 125 lb. per square inch pressure. Operates, repairs, maintains and monitors multiple banks of centrifugal and absorption chillers whose total capacity is 9,800 tons. Assists in testing and analyzing boiler water, feed water, condensate, chill water, heating water and cooling tower water using standard chemical tests. Starts, stops and switches all heat-cooling and ventilating systems and their associated equipment in their proper sequence. Checks gauges for proper temperatures and air balances, and checks plugged drains, malfunctioning freezers, and control panels. Uses maintenance and repair manuals pertinent to all equipment and is familiar with blueprint reading. Assists in operations and monitoring of a power management controls system which controls electric utilities for the site. Assists in the operation and repair of air compressors, fire pumps, domestic water booster pumps, cooling towers, water softeners and associated pumps, valves, and actuators.

Requirements

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Males born 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 E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/

Qualifications

In order to qualify for this position you must meet the following by the closing date of the vacancy announcement: 02/20/2024. Qualifications will be determined under the Job Element Rating System X-118C, Qualifications Standard Handbook. While a specific length of time and experience is not required for most Wage Grade positions, you must show through experience and training that you possess the best qualified level of knowledge and skill necessary to perform the duties of this position. Qualification requirements emphasize the quality of experience, not necessarily the length. The responses to the questionnaire and your resume should be in significant detail to provide the person rating your application with a good understanding of your ability to do the job, technical knowledge, work, and training experience, etc. (For example You must have the ability to perform the duties of a, Utility Systems Operator Repairer without more than normal supervision (Screen Out)). Applicants who do not meet the SCREEN OUT ELEMENT will not be given further consideration. Physical Effort Work requires close hand-and-eye coordination, active walking, prolonged periods of standing on concrete floors, climbing, bending, reaching and working in cramped positions or crowded areas. May be required to lift equipment or material weighing up to 75 lb. Working Conditions Duties are normally performed inside of heated buildings, but may be required for short periods of time to work on equipment in or on roofs of outlying buildings in inclement weather. Works in areas where equipment is in continual operation, where noise levels are abnormal and prevail. May be subject to infection, mechanical injury, gas, cuts, bruises, fumes, dirt and grease, possible exposure to contagious diseases, pathogens, and other environmental hazards within the laboratory or various spaces. Must wear appropriate safety equipment and comply with appropriate laboratory protocols. Required to wear full face respirator when working in biological control areas; facial hair restrictions may be required in order to comply with proper operation of personal protective equipment. Works on rotating shifts to ensure 24 hours Utility Plant coverage.

Education

This position does not have an education qualification requirement.

Contacts

• Address Agricultural Research Service 5601 Sunnyside Ave Beltsville, MD 20705 US
• Name: Robert Green
• Phone: (703) 259-9392
• Email: [email protected]