This position is located within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), US National Poultry Research Center in Athens, GA. In this position you will, responsible for working with and assisting journeypersons in the group including plumbing, electrical, HVAC, painting, carpentry, and welding.

Duties

Uses measuring instruments to perform maintenance worker helper duties. Observes all safety and security regulations and protocols. Uses saws, hammers, pliers, screw drivers, tapes, and other equipment. Works with painters in the gathering of materials, preparing surfaces, and coating surfaces.

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/
• Drug Test Required.
• Vaccine(s) Required.
• Special Physical Requirements/Demands
• SAC and full background investigation required for positions working with BSL-3 (or higher) agents, or in BSL-3/BSL-4 facilities.
• Department of Justice (DOJ) Security Risk Assessment (SRA) approval is required.
• National Agency Check with Inquiries (NACI) clearance is required.
• Immunizations may be required.
• Respirator fitting and certification is required.
• This is a National Security Position and requires that the incumbent be a United States Citizen. As a condition of employment, the requirements listed above must be met.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for this position you must meet the following by the closing date of the vacancy announcement: 07/19/2024Qualifications 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 Maintenance Helperwithout 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, prolonged periods of standing, climbing ladders and scaffolds, stooping, bending, crawling, and working in cramped and uncomfortable positions. The incumbent may be required to lift objects weighing 45-50 pounds and occasionally heavier weights with proper support. Working Conditions Incumbent usually performs work inside heated buildings but may be required to work on locations outside of buildings and on top of roofs. When outside, work may be performed in all kinds of weather. The incumbent is subject to dirt, spray, fumes, chips from powered or hand tools, flying parts, and heated materials. May be subject to falls when working on high places using ladders and scaffolds, cuts, bruises, burns, and possibility of broken bones. Discomfort may occur when wearing protective clothing, gloves, and eye goggles. The incumbent may be required to frequently wear personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks or respirators, eye and ear protection, boots, gloves, and coveralls when working in any of the laboratories. PPE provides necessary protection against biological and chemical hazards but may increase the risk of accidents due to decreased vision, hampered communication, limited mobility and dexterity. Physical well-being may be compromised by the prolonged usage of the PPE may lead to labored respiration, heat stress and dehydration. The health status of personnel is monitored periodically using biologic and serologic tests and physical examinations. Restrictions against contact with birds and livestock outside the laboratory may apply after entering high security animal facilities that are working with disease agents foreign to the United States. Restrictions against contact with birds and livestock outside the laboratory may apply after entering high security animal facilities that are working with disease agents foreign to the United States. The mission of SEPRL includes research, diagnosis and training for poultry diseases foreign to the United States (U.S.) for the purpose of protecting American agriculture and domestic food sources from their potentially devastating effects. SEPRL is vital to successfully protecting U.S. agriculture from the intentional or non-intentional introduction of foreign animal diseases such as highly pathogenic avian influenza and Newcastle disease. The position supports the biocontainment facilities and may require entry into biosafety level (BSL) 3, 3 enhanced, and 3 Ag. The incumbent must demonstrate the physical and psychological capability to conduct normal duties that are appropriate to their position. To prevent the transmission of disease out of biocontainment and retention of the position, the incumbent must meet the following medical standards in a pre-employment medical examination conducted after the receipt of a preliminary job offer and on a periodic basis: Ability to shower out of biocontainment one or more times per day and; Not have any skin condition which would prevent this; Body piercings must be able to be removed prior to entry; External medical assist devices must have the ability to be removed prior to entering biocontainment and the individual must still be able to shower out without assistance; Ability to follow instructions regarding decontamination and biocontainment; Any medical condition which could create an unsafe environment for the individual or his/her co-workers, such as: Insufficient control of a medical disorder which could result in sudden loss of consciousness; Inadequate vision and hearing required for safety in a laboratory environment. Medical confidentiality will be maintained by the examining physician and only fitness or unfitness for duty determinations will be indicated. The incumbent will also be required to pass periodic fitness-for-duty physicals. In addition, a medical clearance will be required in the event that it becomes necessary to enter an area where an air purifying respirator or other respiratory protection is required. A baseline blood sample may be required for employees entering and working in the biocontainment facilities. For the health and safety of the incumbent and to prevent the spread of disease, immunization against diseases being studied at SEPRL which are transmissible to humans may be required where the vaccine has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for safety and effectiveness under the provision of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, as amended 21 USC 321-392. Where the vaccine has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for investigational purposes, the incumbent will be advised that such immunization is voluntary. Due to the contagious nature to poultry and other birds of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and Newcastle disease, and other diseases under study at SEPRL, biosafety protocols specify a personal quarantine for employees working on specific infectious agents in designated areas of SEPRL. As a condition for employment, all personnel entering these areas at SEPRL shall not be in contact with specific susceptible animals and their premises away from SEPRL for a period of five (5) or seven days depending on the agent. Currently, restricted species are birds (agricultural and pet birds), but restrictions may be placed on staff working with or near infectious agents affecting these species. Restricted birds may not be housed on the premises where the employee lives and where the quarantine cannot be enforced. Employees who violate this requirement may be removed from employment or subject to other disciplinary action 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: Tamicka Johnson
• Phone: (703) 259-9323
• Email: [email protected]