Maintenance Mechanic - Helper/Worker Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. LBG-2025-092 Department Architect of the Capitol
Salary $24.11 to $35.71 Grade 05 to 08
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 1/21/2025 Close Date 2/5/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Washington, DC


Summary

The Architect of the Capitol (AOC), Library Buildings and Grounds Maintenance Branch has an excellent career-ladder opportunity for a Maintenance Mechanic Helper to perform tasks in support of installing, assembling, repairing and maintaining water and drainage systems throughout the Library Buildings and Grounds. As required, the helper assists higher grade Maintenance Mechanics with basic maintenance and repair work in electrical, air conditioning (A/C) and plumbing.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted from all U.S. citizens.

Duties

TOUR OF DUTY: Sunday - Thursday - 1:30 pm - 10:00 pm

*** The helper is designated as "Emergency / Essential" and will be required to report to work during emergencies and inclement weather conditions. ***

Duties quotes at the WG-08 level; This is a career ladder position requiring the incumbent to perform progressively more complex duties and responsibilities leading to the full performance level

The selectee will enjoy non-competitive promotion potential up to the WG-11, going from helper to worker to mechanic level while working under journey-level mechanics. 

Performs a variety of tasks involved in the upkeep of buildings, grounds, and related structures, fixtures, and utilities. Typical work assignments include the performance of visual examinations and operational tests to determine the need for, and the performance of, repair work in the electrical, A/C equipment repair and plumbing trades at less than the full journeyman level.

Work involves using such skills as the proper usage of tools and equipment of the trade, the order of assembling parts and use of tools and equipment needed, use of blueprints, sketches, and technical manuals to understand the functions of the equipment and systems, skill to plan and lay out work, and skill to locate faulty parts.

Uses skill to get the proper fits or tolerances, make adjustments and calibrations, to rebuild and fabricate parts.

Follows instructions of the supervisor and/or journey-level mechanics to perform assignments. Performs installation and repair of pipes, fittings and fixtures of water and drainage systems. Installs and repairs sprinklers, water mains, sewage lines, hydrants, and water lines.

Plans and lays out work from drawings, blueprints, and verbal instructions. Determines the sequence of work, materials, and tools to be used.

Measures, cuts, threads, reams, fits, bends, and assembles pipe and pipe fittings. Installs piping through ceilings, floors, and walls of structures. Joins pipes by use of balls, caulk, fittings, screws, or solder joints. Uses building plans and sketches to plan and lay out the routing and placement and proper operation of supply, disposal, and utility piping and equipment.

Assembles, installs, maintains, and repairs supply, disposal, and utility piping. Taps main lines, sets up routes, places and cuts route openings, places hangers for proper slope, determines unions and traps needed, and installs necessary components for proper system operation. Assembles and tests systems and equipment for proper operations.

Locates sources of malfunctions and determines causes. Checks piping, fittings, and fixtures for defective parts or connections. As needed, disassembles and repairs drainage sections.

Tightens conduit connections, makes splices, and insulates exposed wires. Examines system for proper operation. Replaces belts, fans, and fuses. Cleans and lubricates moving parts of equipment. Assists with replacing compressors, condensers, expansion valves, float and service valves, thermostats, coils, and drive assemblies. Tests units upon completion of repairs to ensure performance according to requirements.

Checks for the proper temperature of conditioned spaces; proper operation of the components of the refrigeration cycle; proper lubricant levels; unusual noises; overheated bearings; loose physical or electrical connections; faulty insulation; frayed or loose belts, gaskets and pulleys; and any other defects.

Using established work methods and procedures, assists with repairs of a variety of electrical equipment and small appliances such as electric motors, generators, alternators, transformers, lighting fixtures, relays, and power control panels. Under supervision, repairs such items as faulty wiring, connections, regulators, armatures and solenoid valves. Checks mechanical features such as bearings, pulleys, shafts, gears, belts and casings for damage or wear, replacing parts where necessary. Lubricates, oils, and cleans equipment as needed.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be able to pass a drug test.
  • Your resume and question responses must demonstrate job-related elements.

To be employed by the Architect of the Capitol in a paid position, an individual must meet one of the categories below:

  • A citizen of the United States;
  • A person who is lawfully admitted for permanent residence and is seeking citizenship as outlined in 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)(B);
  • A person who is admitted as a refugee under 8 U.S.C. 1157 or is granted asylum under 8 U.S.C. 1158 and has filed a declaration of intention to become a lawful permanent resident and then a citizen when eligible;
  • A person who owes allegiance to the United States (nationals of American Samoa, Swains Island, and the Northern Mariana Islands, and nationals who meet other requirements described in 8 U.S.C. 1408); or
  • A person who is currently an officer or employee of the Government of the United States.”

Qualifications

You must meet all eligibility and qualification requirements by the closing date of the job announcement.

SCREEN-OUT: Ability to perform the work of the position without more than normal supervision which includes working independently, showing job responsibility and exercising initiative.

WG-5: Has helper level knowledge of trade practices and theories of electricity, air conditioning and plumbing. Has elementary skill in the use and maintenance of trade tools and equipment.

WG-8: Preliminary knowledge of trade practices and theories of electricity, air conditioning, and plumbing.

Additional information

Welcome Veterans. The Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) gives veterans' preference rights in the legislative branch to certain veterans as applied by the Congressional Accountability Act. Veterans' preference is applied on this vacancy announcement. If you are a veteran and have been separated under honorable conditions, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility; SF-15, if applicable; and Department of Veterans Affairs documentation of disability, if applicable. For more information, please visit OPM vet guide

If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System.  If you are exempt from registration under Selective Service Law, you must provide appropriate proof of exemption. Please visit the Selective Service System website for more information.

DRUG TESTING: The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) is a Drug Free Workplace. As part of the AOC’s suitability assessment, a candidate tentatively selected for a position who is not currently an AOC employee is required to submit to screening for illegal drug use. Satisfactory completion of a drug test is a condition of employment with the Agency. A candidate must test negative prior to being eligible for appointment into a position. We will schedule, provide and cover the cost for the drug test.
 
The selectee(s) under the vacancy announcement for this position is subject to a criminal record check by the U.S. Capitol Police and satisfactory adjudication to be eligible for employment at the Architect of the Capitol.
 
The Architect of the Capitol is an E-VERIFY Participant. E-VERIFY is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment authorization in the United States. If you are selected for this position, the documentation that you present for purposes of completing the DHS Form I-9 will be verified through the DHS "E-VERIFY" electronic system. For more information on E-Verify, please visit http://www.dhs.gov/files/programs/gc_1185221678150.shtm

The Architect of the Capitol is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information and/or disability.

This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
 
Moving expenses are not authorized.
 
Relocation expenses are not authorized.
 
Probationary Period - A newly appointed selectee is subject to the completion of a one-year trial/probationary period, regardless of whether or not a trial/probationary period has been completed previously with the Architect of the Capitol or another Federal agency.

This vacancy announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies in any of the jurisdictions of the Architect of the Capitol.

All application materials become the property of the Architect of the Capitol.

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.

A variety of health insurance plans; retirement system with investment options; paid holidays; paid sick and annual (vacation) leave; life insurance; incentive systems; subsidized transportation; training and development opportunities, etc.

Selected applicant(s) may be eligible to earn a higher annual leave accrual rate credit towards annual leave accrual based on prior non-Federal or uniformed service work experience. The amount of service credit will be based on specialized experience or qualifying experience that is provided on the applicant profile submitted. As such, if you are a new employee to the Federal Government or a rehire, it is important that you provide a work history that lists all directly related positions held, and it must include the dates of employment (month/day/year).

The Architect of the Capitol offers eligible employees opportunity to participate in the Student Loan Repayment Program.

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.

Review your resume and responses carefully. Your eligibility for consideration and qualifications for the position will be determined based upon a review of your detailed resume and your responses to job specific self-assessment questions.

Your resume will be evaluated based on evidence of your ability to demonstrate the job elements for this position, possession of any specialized experience, and how well your background and experience relates to the self-assessment questions in the job announcement. The self-assessment questions relate to the following job elements and competencies:

  • Ability to perform the work of the position without more than normal supervision. (SCREEN-OUT)
  • Knowledge of basic mechanical trade principles and theories.
  • Knowledge of basic equipment assembly, installation and minor repair work.
  • Ability to read, write and interpret oral and written instruction.
  • Ability to use and maintain basic tools and equipment.


Your responses to the self-assessment questions serve as the basis for your initial rating. You will receive a numerical score based on your responses to these questions. Next, your responses will be evaluated by a Human Resources Specialist and/or a subject matter expert against the information provided in your resume and optional cover letter. Your resume must support your answers to the self-assessment questions. Falsifying your background, education and/or experience is cause for non-selection or disqualification from further consideration.

Please note that a complete application is required for consideration. (Please review the “Required Documents” section of this job announcement to see what must be included in a complete application).


You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Required Documents

The Architect of the Capitol's job application process is designed to ensure that we only ask you for the information that is absolutely needed to evaluate your qualifications and eligibility for the position.

To apply for this position, you only need to submit online the following: a) your resume and 2) answer the online vacancy assessment questionnaire. The online questionnaire contains eligibility and screening questions and other relevant supplemental information. No additional documentation or attachment is required at the time of application. 

We ask that you prepare and submit a resume that best describes fully your background experience, skills, abilities, education, training and other relevant credentials. The resume should include dates of employment.

Nothing further is required until it is requested by the staff of the Human Capital Management Division. If additional documentation is required for a position, you will be asked to provide it during the selection process or upon selection. At that point, we may ask you to submit documentation to support statements made in your resume.

For example, we may ask you to provide documents such as college transcripts, copy of diploma or proof of Federal employment status. If the position requires a license or certification, we will ask candidate(s) to provide proof at the time of selection.

If you are claiming veterans' preference, we may ask you to submit proof of Veterans preference (DD-214, and, if claiming 10-point preference, the SF-15 plus proof required by that form).

If you fail to provide the required documents, we will withdraw a tentative job offer made and/or remove you from further consideration.

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

You MUST apply online. FORMS RECEIVED BY FAX, EMAIL OR U.S. POSTAL SERVICE DELIVERY WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

If you are a new user to the USAJOBS Site and have never registered for an account; you will first need to create an account profile with your basic contact information and a resume to begin applying. You must be a registered USAJOBS user AND you must be signed-in to your account in order to apply for this position. For help with setting up an account or for general assistance in using USAJOBS, go to USAJOBS Help Page.

NEED HELP?
If you experience any difficulties with the application site, help is available! If you have problems completing your on-line application, contact the Monster Hiring Management Help Desk at 1-866-656-6831 or by e-mail at MGSHELP@monster.com. The help desk is available Monday - Friday 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time. You may call and leave a voice mail message at all other times.

All required supporting documents will be collected electronically via the USAJOBS “Saved Documents” feature.

If you are unable to apply on-line, you may visit our Employment Center for technical assistance in entering your application. The Employment Center is located at 441 Second & D Streets S.W., Washington, D.C., Room H2-178, and is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. You may call (202) 226-7000 for directions.

Agency contact information

Brittany Holmes
Phone
202-226-7000
Fax
202-226-9755
Email
Brittany.holmes@aoc.gov
Address
Architect of the Capitol
2nd and D Street, S.W.
Washington, District of Columbia 20515
United States
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

You will receive a notice generated by the USAJOBS System when you have successfully submitted your application. We will review your application and transcript(s) (if you are qualifying based on education) to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements.

You can check the status of your application by logging into http://www.usajobs.gov. You may also sign up to receive automatic emails anytime the status of your application has changed by logging into your USAJOBS Account, editing your profile and changing the ‘Notification Settings’ to indicate that you want to be notified by email when the status changes. Information regarding the status of your application should be updated in the system within two (2) weeks after the closing date of this vacancy announcement.


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


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