These positions are located in the BARC Facilities Division/Utilities Management Unit (UMU), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), located in Beltsville, MD. In these positions, you will serve as the Operator-in-Charge on rotating shifts in order to operate and maintain two 24/7 boiler plants, including assessing the operation of heating platforms throughout campus, planning for fluctuating workloads, and coordinating work for the team.

Duties

Operate, repair, maintain, and inspect, according to prescribed methods, mechanically fired, gas, and oil-fueled water tube boilers and associated auxiliary and pollution control equipment. Start, adjust, and shut down as load demands for centrifugal refrigeration machines. 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. Perform duties in a supportive manner of a safe and healthy work environment. Overhaul and repair steam distribution and return systems, including large steam mains, reducing stations, expansion joints, high- and low-pressure steam traps, condensate pumps, and return lines located within the heating plants. Overhaul and repair boilers and boiler plant equipment including, but not limited to burners, pumps, air compressors, fans, motors, feed water heaters, feed water regulators, regulatory valves, magnetic switches and relays, and control equipment. Operate air compressors, and water softeners. Inspect, repair, and maintain mechanically fired, gas, and oil-fueled water tube boilers and record readings of meters. Start, adjust, and shut down as load demands for 500 and above horsepower fire tube boilers. Run tests on boiler water and determines amounts of treatment to be injected so as to keep within predetermined limits. Inspect boilers, auxiliary equipment, and steam lines for operation and preventive maintenance purposes. Monitor an annunciating system which gives an audible and visual alarm on malfunctioning outlying equipment that must be kept in constant operation. Check meters, gauges, pressure relief valves, and other instruments. Record readings of electrical and fuel meters and weather charts, as required, during the shift. Knowledge of mechanical and civil blueprint reading and ability to interpret manufacturers’ handbooks and technical manuals. Performs duties in a supportive manner of a safe and healthy work environment.

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.
• Must be qualified as a Grade 1 Stationary Engineer License by the State of Maryland, Department of Licensing and Regulation, Board of Examining Engineers.
• This is an essential 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.
• 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.
• The incumbent applies knowledge of and adheres to Departmental civil rights policies, goals, and objectives, with a philosophy of valuing diversity in performing everyday duties and responsibilities.
• The incumbent contributes to a productive and nondiscriminatory work environment through written and oral communications and interpersonal relations.
• FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT (FLSA): This position is non-exempt from the FLSA in accordance with 5 CFR 551.202.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for this position you must meet the following by the closing date of the vacancy announcement: 07/10/2024Qualifications 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 Operator, 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 drivers license. Qualified Grade 1 Stationary Engineer License by state of MD, Dept of Licensing and Regulation, Board of Examining Engineers. 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 lbs. Work Environment: The incumbent generally performs the duties inside heated facilities, but may require 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. Special Additional Responsibilities: Serves as "Operator in Charge" assigned to rotating and alternating shifts where the Supervisor is not available. The operator is responsible for following written instructions from a supervisor or the "operator in charge" on the previous shift. The incumbent performs additional duties which are more responsible and require a slightly higher level of skill and knowledge than full performance level operators with a supervisor available to provide specific guidance and assistance. The possesses a thorough knowledge of the entire BARC steam or hot water system and user requirements in order to locate problems and initiate immediate corrective action to maintain adequate steam or hot water production. 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: Juliana Hensley
• Phone: (571) 669-3483
• Email: [email protected]