Summary
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.
This job is open to
Clarification from the agency
US Citizens and Nationals; no prior Federal experience is required.
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
Conditions of Employment
- 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 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: 07/18/2024 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, 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.
Education
This position does not have an education qualification requirement.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Applications will be evaluated in accordance with Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Delegated Examining Procedures and USDA policy using category rating. Applicants who meet basic minimum qualifications will be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans. Category placement will be determined based on applicants' quality of experience and the extent they possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) or competencies: - Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision
- Ability To Interpret Instructions, Specification, etc. (includes blueprinting reading)
- Dexterity And Safety
- Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair, etc.
- Operation of ___________ (specify equipment, machinery, etc.)
- Technical Practices (theoretical, precise, artistic)
- Use of Measuring Instruments
Your application, including the online Assessment Questionnaire, will be reviewed to determine if you meet (a) minimum qualification requirements and (b) the resume supports the answers provided to the job-specific questions. Your resume must clearly support your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position. Those determined to be in the best qualified category will be referred to the selecting official for consideration.
Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.
Clicking the link below will present a preview of the application form; i.e. the online questionnaire. The application form link below will only provide a preview and does not initiate the application process. To initiate the online application process, click the "Apply" button to the right.
To view the application form, visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12448946
Required Documents
The following documents are required for your applicant package to be complete. Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, your system failure, etc. Encrypted documents will not be accepted. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration.
- Resume that includes:1) personal information such as name, address, contact information; 2) education; 3) detailed work experience related to this position as described in the major duties including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; title, series, grade (if applicable); 4) other qualifications.
- If education is required or you are using education to qualify, you must submit a copy of your college transcripts. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application if it includes your name and the necessary course information; however, if you are selected, you will be required to submit official transcripts prior to entering on duty. Education must have been successfully obtained from an accredited school, college or university. If any education was completed at a foreign institute, you must submit with your application evidence that the institute was appropriately accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as equivalent to U.S. education standards. There are private organizations that specialize in this evaluation and a fee is normally associated with this service. For a list of private organizations that evaluate education, visit the NACES website. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.
- If claiming veteran's preference, you must submit a DD214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty, which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions. If currently on active duty you must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty service under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted.
- Veteran's preference must be verified prior to appointment. Without this documentation, you will not receive veteran's preference and your application will be evaluated based on the material(s) submitted.
- If claiming 10-point veteran's preference you must provide the DD214 or certification requirements (see above bullet), plus the proof of entitlement of this preference as listed on the SF-15 Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference. The SF-15 should be included but is not required. Failure to submit these documents could result in the determination that there is insufficient documentation to support your claim for 10-point preference. For more information on veterans' preference visit FEDSHIREVETS
- Surplus or displaced employees eligible for CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP priority must provide: proof of eligibility (RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a transfer of function or directed reassignment to another commuting area, notice of disability annuity termination), SF-50 documenting separation (as applicable), and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with your application per 5 CFR 330.
How to Apply
Please read the entire announcement and all instructions before you begin. You must complete this application process and submit all required documents electronically by 11:59p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.
Applying online is highly encouraged. We are available to assist you during business hours (normally 8:00a.m. - 4:00p.m., Monday - Friday). If applying online poses a hardship, contact the Agency Contact listed below well before the closing date for an alternate method. All hardship application packages must be complete and submitted no later than noon ET on the closing date of the announcement in order to be entered into the system prior to its closing.
This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis; contact the Agency Contact to request this.
To begin, click "Apply" and follow the instructions to complete the Assessment Questionnaire and attach your resume and all required documents.
NOTE: If a document is resubmitted, it replaces the previous submission, which means the previous document is no longer available to the Human Resources Office. If you are adding to, rather than replacing a previous submission, you must upload both the old document and the new document. You must verify that uploaded documents from USAJOBS transfer into the Agency's staffing system as there is a limitation to the number of documents that can be transferred. However, once in the Agency's staffing system, you will have the opportunity to upload additional documents. Applicants may combine all like required documents (e.g. SF-50s or veteran docs) into one or more files and scan for uploading into the application. Each file must not exceed 3MB. Grouping like documents into files will simplify the application process. Documents must be in one of the following formats: GIF, JPEG, JPG, PDF, PNG, RTF, or Word (DOC or DOCX). Uploaded documents may not require a password, digital signature, or other encryption to open.
Next steps
Your application will be reviewed to verify that you meet the eligibility and qualification requirements for the position prior to issuing referral lists to the selecting official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. Log in to your USAJOBS account to check your application status.
You must choose to turn on email notifications in your USAJOBS profile if you want to receive important email notifications that may impact your applicant experience (e.g. If you start an application and do not submit it prior to the closing date, USAJOBS will send an email reminder that the closing date is approaching and your application is in an incomplete status).
Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
Under the Fair Chance Act, agencies are not allowed to request information about an applicant's criminal history until a conditional offer of employment has been made, except as allowed for access to classified information; assignment to national security duties or positions; acceptance or retention in the armed forces; or recruitment of a Federal law enforcement officer. An applicant may submit a complaint or any other information related to an organization's alleged noncompliance with the Fair Chance Act. The complaint must be submitted within 30 calendar days of the date of the alleged noncompliance. To make a Fair Chance Act inquiry or complaint, send an email with the appropriate information to candace.jacobs@usda.gov, subject line: Fair Chance Act.
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