This position is located in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC), Facilities Division/Utilities Management Unit (UMU), located in Beltsville, MD. In this position, you will maintain, operate, inspect, repair, and complete other jobs for 70 buildings housing multiple steam boilers, water boilers, hot air furnaces, and associated equipment.

Duties

Maintain two second grade power plants, as well as six third grade or lower plants ranging from 499 horsepower to 30 horsepower. Monitor, adjust, and control all phases of boiler plant operations. Run tests on boiler water and determine amounts of treatment to be injected to keep within predetermined limits. Train operators and/or lower graded workers in specific methods of operation, repair, and maintenance. Inspect boilers, auxiliary equipment, and steam lines for operation and preventive maintenance purposes. Record readings of electrical and fuel meters and weather charts, as required, during the shift. Overhaul and repair boilers and boiler plant equipment.

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/.
• Must possess and maintain a valid, State-issued motor vehicle operator’s license to operate Government-owned vehicles.
• Must be qualified as a Grade 3 Stationary Engineer License by the State of Maryland, Department of Licensing and Regulation, Board of Examining Engineers.
• Must be able to obtain a Grade 2 Stationary Engineer License by the State of Maryland, Department of Licensing and Regulation, Board of Examining Engineers, within the first year of employment.
• Incumbent will work a standard tour of duty, Monday through Friday 0700-4:30 pm 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 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.
• Safety and Health – The incumbent performs duties in a supportive manner of a safe and healthy work environment and uses appropriate ergonomic principles for healthy office work.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for this position you must meet the following by the closing date of the vacancy announcement: 05/20/2024. 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 Boiler Plant Equipment Mechanic without more than normal supervision (Screen Out)). Applicants who do not meet the SCREEN OUT ELEMENT will not be given further consideration. Selective Placement Factor(s): In addition to the experience requirement above, this position has a selective placement factor (SPF). Selective Placement Factors are special requirements, in addition to the minimum requirements, that are essential in successfully performing the duties of this job. If SPF experience is not documented in your resume, you will not receive further consideration under this announcement. Motor Vehicle Driver's License. Qualified Grade 3 Stationary Engineer License by state of MD, Dept. of Licensing and Regulation, Board of Examining Engineers. Grade 2 Stationary Engineer License (person must have Grade 3 license to be eligible to obtain Grade 2 within first year) by state of MD, Dept. of Licensing and Regulation, Board of Examining Engineers, must obtain within first year of employment. Physical Effort Work requires close hand and eye coordination, active walking, prolonged periods of standing on concrete flooring, climbing, bending, reaching, high noise areas, and working in confined spaces or crowded areas. The incumbent may be required to lift equipment or material weighing up to 75 lb. Working Conditions The incumbent will normally perform the duties inside heated facilities, but may be required to work on facility structures and grounds during inclement weather. Work in areas where equipment is in continual operation, noise levels are abnormal and prevail. Subject to infection, mechanical injury, gas, cuts, bruises, dirt, steam, and grease. Incumbent is also subject to toxic fumes from welding, soldering and sparks and danger from flying chips when using power and hand tools. Subject to falls while working on ladders, scaffolds, and roofs of facility buildings. Restrictions of facial hair may be imposed by the supervisor for proper use of personnel protective equipment. 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: Robert Green
• Phone: (703) 259-9392
• Email: [email protected]