This position is located within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Northeast Area (NEA), at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC) in Beltsville, Maryland. In this position you will be responsible for performing a variety of duties involved in the upkeep of buildings, grounds, related structures, fixtures, and utilities. You will maintain, repair and install electrical, plumbing, steam, and heating systems.

Duties

Fabricates and erects scaffolding, ditch shoring, concrete forms, shelves, racks, bins, and dollies. Installs floor tile, screeds for concrete floors and slabs, reinforcing for concrete footers, walls and slabs, stairs, loading docks and other related work Repairs/installs all types such as metal and wooden doors locks including making keys, panic bar, and hinges. Performs a range of plumbing activities, including pipe cutting, threading, bending, and assembly of pipes, valves, etc. Connects natural gas heaters, water heaters, and other related equipment to installed systems. Uses equipment such as tapes; rules; hacksaws; hand and power pipe threaders and cutters; packing, caulking, and selling irons; pipe wrenches; propane torches; tubing cutters and benders; and sewer augers. Inspects, modifies, repairs, and replaces defective and malfunctioning positions of utility, supply and disposal systems, fixtures, fittings, and equipment such as water lines and sewer lines. Performs inspections and troubleshooting of typical electrical equipment related to, and within the scope of, assigned repairs, renovations, and/or new construction.

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 https://www.e-verify.gov/
• Must possess and maintain a valid, State-issued motor vehicle operator’s license to operate Government-owned vehicles.
• Incumbent may be required to work a non-standard tour of duty, rotating day, and night shifts, and/or alternative work schedules because of extended coverage needed for certain conditions such as mission requirements, etc.
• May be required to work weekends, evenings, holidays, or after hours, as necessary.
• This is an essential/emergency position; incumbent is required to report for duty during emergencies, critical periods, or during times when the Government is closed due to inclement weather or budget cut-off.
• This position requires a pre-employment and annual physical.
• Safety: Must possess knowledge of all safety rules and procedures prescribed for emergencies or special situations.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for this position you must meet the following by the closing date of the vacancy announcement: 05/14/2024 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 lead or supervise as a Maintenance Mechanic. Applicants who do not meet the SCREEN OUT ELEMENT will not be given further consideration. Physical Effort Many of incumbent's duties require moderate to heavy physical labor in lifting, carrying, and positioning heavy components. Incumbent works atop ladders, scaffolding, and in crawlspaces and other confined areas. The work requires close hand and eye coordination, active walking, climbing, bending, and prolonged periods of actively working on concrete floors and in muddy or otherwise slick areas. Considerable physical effort is used when working on parts or systems that are in hard-to-reach places. Work requires bending, stooping, kneeling, and working in tiring and uncomfortable positions, and using the arms for long periods of time when using hand tools, shop tools, and equipment. Must frequently carry and set up tools, parts, and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds using equipment or hand trucks for safe handling. The incumbent may perform repairs and installations from ladders, scaffolding, platforms, and other hard-to-reach places both indoors and outdoors. Working Conditions Work is performed both indoors and outdoors. Incumbent is exposed to danger when working with electricity and natural gas. Incumbent is subjected to dangers associated with exposure to dust, dirt, mud, noxious or toxic fumes, grease, and other hazards. Outside work is sometimes performed under adverse weather conditions, including hot and cold weather, and wet and windy weather. Much of the work is done in outside environments where incumbent is exposed to winds, high humidity, rainfall, and extremes in temperatures which may range from over 100°F in the summer to under 20°F in the winter. Work is often done in confined, cramped, and otherwise difficult-to-access areas, including crawl spaces below the building. The incumbent is subject to the possibility of electric shock, burns, infections, cuts, bruises, broken bones, and other injuries. The incumbent must follow prescribed safety practices and use safety equipment such as personal protective equipment, hard hats, and hard-toed shoes to avoid injury and possible hazards in the work areas. 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

This position does not have an education qualification requirement.

Contacts

• Address Agricultural Research Service 10300 Baltimore Avenue Beltsville, MD 20705 US
• Name: Matthew Knoche
• Phone: (571) 418-0373
• Email: [email protected]