This position is located within the Facilities Engineering Unit of the National Animal Disease Center, for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), in Ames, IA. In this position, you will perform routine and nonroutine operation, maintenance, and repair of electrical, plumbing, boiler plant, chiller plant, and generator plant systems and components using maintenance and repair manuals pertinent to the equipment.

Duties

Performs or assists in operations, repairs, maintenance and monitoring of a bank of multiple mechanically fire, gas and oil fueled water and fire tube boilers. Assists in the operation, repair, maintenance and monitoring of multiple banks of centrifugal and absorption chillers whose total capacity is 9,800 tons. Starts, stops and switches all heat-cooling and ventilating systems and their associated equipment in their proper sequence. Assists in testing and analyzing boiler water, feed water, condensate, chill water, heating water and cooling tower water using standard chemical tests, and determines the necessary treatment and chemicals to be used. Checks gauges for proper temperatures and air balances, plugged drains, malfunctioning freezers, control panels. Assists in operation and repair of 2, dual fuel turbines that produce 4,700 kw and multiple mechanical driven electric generators with a capacity of 15,000 kw located at multiple installations. Helps train lower-level employees in all phases of operation and repair. Assists in the operation and repair of air compressors, fire pumps, domestic water booster pumps, cooling towers, water softeners and associated pumps, valves, and actuators.

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/.
• Motor Vehicle or Commercial Driver's License required.
• Immunizations may be required.
• 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.
• Respirator filling and certification is required.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement. In order to qualify for this position you must meet the following by the closing date of the vacancy announcement: 10/30/2024. 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 floors, climbing, bending, reaching and working in cramped positions or crowded areas. May be required to lift equipment or material weighing up to 75 lb. Working Conditions Duties are normally performed inside of heated buildings, but may be required for short periods of time to work on equipment in or on roofs of outlying buildings in inclement weather. Works in areas where equipment is in continual operation, where noise levels are abnormal and prevail. May be subject to infection, mechanical injury, gas, cuts, bruises, fumes, dirt and grease, possible exposure to contagious diseases, pathogens, and other environmental hazards within the laboratory or various spaces. Must wear appropriate safety equipment and comply with appropriate laboratory protocols. Required to wear full face respirator when working in biological control areas; facial hair restrictions may be required in order to comply with proper operation of personal protective equipment. Works on rotating shifts to ensure 24 hours Utility Plant coverage. 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 5601 Sunnyside Ave Beltsville, MD 20705 US
• Name: Robert Green
• Phone: (703) 259-9392
• Email: [email protected]