This position is located within the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Northeast Area (NEA), at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center in Beltsville, MD. In this position, you will perform maintenance, repair, installation, and servicing of utility systems and equipment supporting agricultural research in the facilities and campus providing a first line of response for alarms of critical equipment and emergency calls for service at The Center that may require immediate repair.

Duties

Tightens packing glands on water gauge glasses and valves and replace steam and water system components. Replaces fan belts, dress up contacts on starters using abrasives, and reset thermostats and compressors. Observes and regulate fuel and water intake; check pressure, temperature, and water-level gauges, and overall proper operation of the boilers. Uses hand and power tools for utility system repairs.

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 able to obtain a Grade 5 Stationary Engineer License by the State of Maryland, Department of Licensing and Regulation, Board of Examining Engineers, within the first year of employment.
• 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.
• This is an essential/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.
• Must possess and maintain a valid State driver’s license.
• This position requires a pre-employment and annual physical.
• Must possess knowledge of all safety rules and procedures prescribed for emergencies or special situations.

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: 09/04/2024. 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, Utility Systems Repairer 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: 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. 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 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. 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]