This position is located within the Plant Genetic Resources Unit (PGRU) and Grape Genetics Research Unit (GGRU), for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in Geneva, NY. In this position, you will assist in the maintenance and upkeep of office and laboratory buildings, greenhouses, and barns.

Duties

Assists in installation, maintenance, and repair of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems. Assists in or performs carpentry, plumbing, painting, and electrical repairs. Performs carpentry work such as minor construction and the repair or modification of framework and interior and exterior trim. Paints interiors and exteriors using commercial paints and preservative compounds. Ensures that safety practices are followed and required safety equipment is on hand. Uses common power and hand tools and diagnostic or test equipment to troubleshoot and maintain electrical and mechanical equipment. From work orders or oral instructions, removes, cleans, replaces, packs, and/or seals defective parts of utility, supply, or disposal systems. Assists higher-graded employees in maintaining heating equipment and boilers, together with necessary piping, tubing, controls, heat exchangers and hot water systems. Keeps supervisor and client informed of status of assigned jobs or emergency repairs and recognizes when client should be contacted to protect valuable research materials.

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 driver's license to operate a government-owned motor vehicle.
• Special Physical Requirements/Demands.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for this position you must meet the following by the closing date of the vacancy announcement: 05/28/2024. 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 Maintenance Worker without more than normal supervision (Screen Out)). Applicants who do not meet the SCREEN OUT ELEMENT will not be given further consideration. Physical Effort: The work requires close hand and eye coordination. Considerable physical effort is used when working on parts or systems that are in hard-to-reach and limited space areas. Work requires bending, stooping, kneeling, working in tiring and uncomfortable positions, and using the arms for long periods of time when using hand tools, shop tools, and equipment. The incumbent must frequently carry and set up heavy parts and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds with the assistance of material lifting devices or other workers. The incumbent may perform repairs and installations from ladders, scaffolding, platforms, and other hard to-reach places both indoors and outdoors. The incumbent may work overtime hours as required. Working Conditions: Work is performed both indoors and outdoors. Indoor work is usually performed on concrete surfaces where there is exposure to dust, dirt, chemicals, heat, steam, noise, and unpleasant odors. Outside work is sometimes performed under adverse weather conditions, including hot, cold, wet, and/or windy weather. The incumbent may be exposed to chemical dust and sprays and may need to wear protective clothing and respirators. The incumbent may also be exposed to high noise levels and fumes, and the possibility of injuries such as scrapes, cuts, chemical irritations, bruises, and falls. The incumbent must follow prescribed safety practices and use safety equipment such as personal protective equipment, safety glasses or goggles, gloves, hard hats, and hard-toed shoes to avoid injury and possible hazards in the work areas. Other Considerations: Subject to on-call duty outside normal duty hours, in accordance with procedures established for control of such on-call duty. May be required to work weekends, holidays, or before/after normal duty hours when necessary; may be required to report for duty during emergencies, critical periods, or during times when the Location is closed due to inclement weather.

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]