Electrician Job in Amado, AZ

Vacancy No. 25-106 Department Smithsonian Institution
Salary $30.18 to $35.15 Grade 10 to 10
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 8/27/2025 Close Date 9/24/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
Amado, AZ


Summary

This is the position of Electrician, at the Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory (FLWO), in the Optical and Infrared Astronomy Division of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory in Amado, Arizona. The individual is responsible for installing, modifying, repairing, maintaining, troubleshooting, testing, and loading new and existing electrical lines, circuits, systems and associated fixtures, controls, and equipment.

Duties

1.Installs, modifies, maintains, repairs, troubleshoots, and tests circuits, systems, associated fixtures, controls, and equipment of secondary power distribution lines and circuits used to supply a wide range of voltage, amperage, phase, and frequency requirements to distribution panels, switchgear, power and control circuits, fire detection and suppression systems, security alarms, lightning protection systems, and electronic monitoring systems.


2.Works from building plans, blueprints, wiring diagrams, engineering drawings, and electrical maintenance and repair manuals. Plans and lays out the routing, placement type, size, gauge, balance, load, continuity, and safe operation of electrical lines, circuits, systems, equipment and controls that support industrial operations, computer complexes, or similar complex electrical loads. Traces hard-to-locate defects or problems associated with the completion of repairs and installations. Determines and places distribution panels, boxes, fittings, and connections and install wiring, couplings, conduit, relays, fixtures, transformers, and other electrical devices including electrical service entrances.

3.Conduct training for other employees in the preventive maintenance, electrical safety, and servicing of all electrical systems and equipment. Identifies and communicates opportunities for improvement, cost savings, productivity/efficiency improvements and safety improvements.

4.Collaborates with architects and engineers to identify discrepancies between blueprints and on-site conditions, ensuring accurate project execution. Works with projects teams to ensure projects were completed on schedule and within budget.


5.Designs and development of various electrical systems and controllers. Performs site audits and inspections. Engages in all phases of new product introduction, including concept. Incumbent troubleshoots, repairs, and conducts preventive maintenance on motor control centers. Performs preventive maintenance as scheduled or required on electrical equipment as recommended by the manufacturer and on site safety programs. Ensures all work meets prescribed standards of quality and ensures compliance with all laws, safety procedures, policies and codes. Inspects electrical systems, equipment, or components to identify hazards, defects, or the need for adjustment or repair. Monitors performance of equipment and informs management of any potential problems. Interprets and applies the National Electrical Code, local codes, etc., and uses trade formulas to calculate common properties.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • Pre- and post-appointment background investigation
  • May be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
  • Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.
  • Direct Deposit/Elect Funds Transfer required for salary payment.

Must have a valid drivers’ license and be able to operate a vehicle on a narrow, steep, unpaved mountain road.

Physical requirements: Repairs and installations are made from ladders, scaffolding, platforms and other hard-to-reach places. This requires the employee to stand, stoop, bend, kneel, climb, and work in tiring and uncomfortable positions. The work requires frequently lifting and carrying of tools, equipment and parts that weigh up to 20 pounds and occasionally up to 40 pounds.

As part of medical surveillance programs, the incumbent may be required to take medical examinations to assess his/her medical
qualifications for the position of Electrician.

Working conditions: The work is performed both inside and outside. The Electrician is sometimes required to make repairs and installations in bad weather and work in areas that are noisy, dirty, dusty, and greasy on scaffolding or cranes at heights of 30 feet or more and in close quarters such as manholes and attics. There is exposure to the possibility of injury from falling, electrical shock, burns, and injuries from rotary devices such as electrical motors and is frequently exposed to the possibility of cuts and bruises.

Qualifications

Your overall experience and training must indicate that you have the minimum knowledge, skills, abilities needed to perform the duties of this position.  There is no substitution of education for experience for this position.
Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.

Additional information on the Job Qualification
System for Trades and Labor Occupations can be
found on OPM's web site at
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/federal-wage-system-qualifications/

Additional information

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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.

The Smithsonian offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, vacation and sick leave, holidays, health/life insurance, accident insurance, and excellent retirement program options. Please see Benefits at http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/hr/benefits/fed/table.html for a complete description.

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.

Your application will be evaluated first for the basic qualifications described above.  The applications that meet the basic qualifications will be evaluated further against the following criteria:

• Ability to perform electrician work without more than normal supervision. 

• Ability to use electrical drawings

• Troubleshooting (electrical)

• Ability to use and maintain tools

• Theory and Instruments (electrical)

• Dexterity and Safety

BASIS OF RATING:  Once the announcement closes, your application will be automatically evaluated and rated by the system and a Human Resources Specialist. To determine if you are qualified for this job, a review of your application and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the occupational questionnaire. The numeric rating you receive is based on your responses to the questionnaire. The score is a measure of the degree to which your background matches the knowledge, skills, and abilities required of this position. If, after the Human Resources Specialist reviews your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that the score you have received is not a true reflection of your qualifications and/or experience, your score can and will be adjusted to more accurately reflect the information you provided that support your abilities. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Your resume should provide detailed information regarding how your education and experience relate to this position, including the major duties and qualifications criteria listed.

Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA):  If you are applying for a VEOA appointment, you must be a veteran and must be honorably separated and either a preference eligible or have substantially completed 3 or more years of active service. ("Active Service" under this law means active duty in a uniformed service and includes full-time training duty, annual training duty, full-time National Guard duty, and attendance, while in the active service, at a school designated as a service school by law or by the Secretary concerned.) A veteran who is released under honorable conditions shortly before completing a 3-year tour is also eligible.

Noncompetitive Appointment Authorities:  The following links contain information on the eligibility requirements to be considered under a noncompetitive appointing authority:

Important Note:

Your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses to the occupational questionnaire or other assessment tool for consistency. If a determination is made that you have rated yourself higher than is supported by your resume, you will be assigned a rating commensurate to your described experience. Your resume should provide sufficient information regarding how your education and experience relate to this position, including the major duties and qualifications criteria listed.


You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Required Documents

Your application package must include the following documents:

    • Detailed resume
    • Proof of Veteran's Preference - DD214 (Member 4 Copy), if you are a veteran. Additionally, applicants claiming 10-point preference must complete Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, as well as additional documentation required by the SF-15, such as a VA letter.
    • A copy of your most recent SF-50 which shows your position title, series, grade, step, salary, position occupied, and tenure to verify Time-in-Grade/competitive status. If you have previously held a higher grade and are applying based on that grade you must provide a copy of the SF-50 showing you held the higher grade and/or have promotion potential to the grade being advertised. Do NOT submit award SF-50s.
    • Unofficial school transcripts, if the position has an education requirement or if you are using education to qualify. If selected for the position, you must provide an official transcript before appointment.
    • Proof of U.S. accreditation for foreign study, if applicable.
    • A recent performance evaluation, if currently employed as a federal employee
    • Proof of Veteran's Preference - DD214 (Member 4 Copy) if you are requesting a special appointment authority, such as VRA or VEOA
    • Proof of severe disability if you are requesting special placement consideration.
    • Proof of eligibility for a military spouse appointment, such as a permanent change station military order.
    • Proof of eligibility for any other special appointing authority not specifically mentioned here

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply



Click on the "Apply Online" button on the upper right side of the page. Please Note:

  • You must apply for this position online through the 'Apply Online' button and submit required supplemental documents (if they are relevant to you).
  • You may submit required documents by uploading them online during the application process; OR You may manually fax required documents. Faxes are received by an automated system, not a physical fax machine. Documents that are faxed as part of the application process must be sent with the system generated cover sheet by the closing date. Documents faxed without the system generated coversheet are not retrievable and cannot be considered as part of the application package.
  • The complete application package, including any required documents, is due in the Smithsonian Office of Human Resources on the closing date of the announcement by 11:59 PM Eastern Time.
  • If you are unable to apply online, paper applications may be accepted with prior approval of the Contact Person listed below.

Agency contact information

Judith Gallagher
Phone
617-495-7374
Fax
617-495-7263
Email
jgallagher@si.edu
Address
SMITHSONIAN
Human Resources
60 Garden Street Cambridge, MA 02138
Mail Stop 17
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
United States

Next steps

You will receive an e-mail to acknowledge that your application has been received. Please be aware that the confirmation e-mail could reside in your "junk" or "bulk" mail folder depending on your filters. The Smithsonian receives many applications for each job. Each application is reviewed carefully which may take a few weeks. We will send you an e-mail to update you as we go through phases of the application review process. You may also check your application status by logging into www.usajobs.gov and selecting the tab "My USAJOBS;" e-mailing vacancy.info@si.edu; or by contacting the Office of Human Resources Representative listed.

Additional Information:

  • The Smithsonian does not pay relocation expenses.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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