This position is located within the Cotton Quality and Innovation Research Unit for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in New Orleans, LA. In this position, you will serve as a working leader for three or more workers to operate textile machinery and accomplish trades and labor work for the research unit.

Duties

Performs modifications, repairs and adjustments to equipment and conducts a bi-annual preventive maintenance schedule. Investigates reasons for equipment failure by analyzing data from a variety of sources and applies skill in electronics and mechanics to make repairs. Operates various types of textile equipment for the performance of such functions as cleaning, carding, drawing, spinning, winding, roving, weaving, warping and slashing. Uses judgment in making the proper machine settings and in the operation of equipment controls to produce the necessary yarns and fabrics. Operates textile equipment such as blowroom machinery and cards, drawframes and roving frames, ring and rotor spinning frames, yarn winders and electronic yarn clearing machinery, warpers, slashers, beamers and looms Works alongside other workers and sets the pace. Urges or advises other workers to follow instructions received from supervisors, and to meet deadlines. Checks work while in progress and when finished to see whether the supervisor's instructions on work sequence, procedures, methods, and deadlines have been met. Maintains current knowledge and answers questions of other workers on procedures, policies, written instructions, and other directives .

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/

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. In order to qualify for this position you must meet the following by the closing date of the vacancy announcement: 07/09/2024. 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 Lead Textile Equipment Operator 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 walking or standing from four to six hours per day and working in strenuous positions, such as crawling under machines, squatting, bending, or from a prone position while operating and adjusting the various machines. Additionally, it is also necessary to assist in the installation and removal of textile equipment weighing several thousand pounds and to move and/or convey 500 pound bales of cotton. Opens heavy bales of cotton and loads fibers into hoppers. Compressed air, hand trucks, chain falls, and other items are used for the expeditious and safe handling of materials and equipment. Able to lift a minimum of 30 pounds. Working Conditions Work is performed in both air conditioned and non-air conditioned areas with adequate lighting, and around equipment that have high speed moving parts driven with gears and belts. May be exposed to dust and cotton lint and the possibility of accidents while assisting in the movement of textile equipment, and due to the operation of power-driven equipment and work around machinery. However, due to the proper observance of safety measures, the accident rate is kept at a minimum. The machinery and equipment are adequately equipped with appropriate safety devices. 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 141 Experimental Station Road Stoneville, MS 38776 US
• Name: Robert Green
• Phone: (703) 259-9392
• Email: [email protected]