Utility Systems Repairer-Operator

Clarification from the agency

Current permanent federal employees with competitive status, Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP and VEOA eligibles, Farm Service Agency permanent county employees, 30 percent or More Disabled Veterans, Certain Former Overseas and Foreign Service Employees, Military Spouses, Interchange Agreement and Other Miscellaneous Authorities, People with Disabilities, Peace Corps and VISTA, Reinstatement, and VRA eligible candidates.

• The incumbent is responsible for the electrical, plumbing, pipefitting and instrument repair aspects of the equipment.
• Troubleshoot malfunctioning equipment; performs scheduled and unscheduled adjusting, cleaning, repairing, and replacing defective parts on all equipment (electrical and otherwise), with related accessories.
• Perform scheduled and unscheduled maintenance and repairs on many types and sizes of electrically, electronically, and mechanically operated laboratory equipment.
• Maintains logs and records on a computer using office software and completes reports and forms.
• Operates location vehicles in order to attend meetings and deliver supplies.
• Observes all safety and security regulations and protocols.

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. Refer to the Next Steps section for more information.
• 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
• Drug Test 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.
• For the health and safety of the incumbent and to prevent the spread of diseases, immunization against diseases being studied at NBAF which are transmissible to humans is required.
• For physical health monitoring, a baseline blood sample will be required for employees entering and working in the biocontainment facility.
• Use of Safety protocols and use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as respirators, disposable personal protective clothing, and eye protection, are used as needed.
• The incumbent must have the ability to take a full-body shower with soap and shampoo one or more times per day without assistance.
• Body jewelry in piercings must have the ability to be removed prior to entering biocontainment or the piercing and jewelry must be completely sealed off from the working environment to protect the individual from contamination.
• External medical devices may not be permitted. External medical devices must have the ability to be removed prior to entering biocontainment or be sealed off from the working environment to protect the individual from contamination.
• Facial hair restriction are required to ensure the proper fit of tight-fitting respirators.
• All personnel entering biocontainment facilities at NBAF must not be in contact with specific susceptible animals for a period of five (5) days after leaving biocontainment.
• On-Call/Standby Requirement: The position requires the incumbent to be on-call 24/7 on a rotating basis (e.g., one week every four weeks). The incumbent must be available to respond to calls via phone within 30 minutes if necessary.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcementincluding 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:07/06/2026

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
The incumbent makes repairs and installations from ladders, scaffolding, and platforms, and where the parts of systems worked on are in hard-to-reach places. The incumbent is required to stand, stoop, bend, kneel, climb and work in tiring and uncomfortable positions. The work involves frequent lifting, carrying, and setting up parts and equipment that weighs over up to 75 pounds with appropriate support

Working Conditions

The incumbent is required to attend all training assigned for the safe use, storage and disposal of hazardous chemicals and be able and willing to understand and execute all safety precautions when working with hazardous chemicals.

Working in a high containment laboratory poses some degree of risk to human health. For the health and safety of the incumbent and to prevent the spread of diseases, immunization against diseases being studied at NBAF which are transmissible to humans is required where the vaccine has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for safety and effectiveness under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, as amended 21 USC 321-392.

Psychological and physical health are monitored as part of a person review. For physical health monitoring, a baseline blood sample will be required for employees entering and working in the biocontainment facility. When enrolled in the serum monitoring program, in addition to physical and psychological examinations, the physical health status of personnel is monitored periodically using biologic and serological tests. Beyond regular monitoring programs, blood draws will be needed to monitor the specific medical surveillance examinations.

Any medical condition which could create an unsafe environment for the individual or his/her co-workers, such as: Insufficient control of a medical disorder which could result in sudden loss of consciousness; and inadequate vision and hearing required for safety in a laboratory environment must be considered before a job offer and may be disqualifying.

Risk is reduced but cannot be eliminated with special safety precautions. Use of Safety protocols and use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as respirators, disposable personal protective clothing, and eye protection, are used as needed. PPE is dependent upon the work performed and the laboratory space in which the work is performed.

The incumbent is required to wear tight-fitting respirator when working in biological control areas; facial hair restrictions are to comply with proper operation of personal protective equipment. Approval to use a respirator requires a medical evaluation and fit test.

The incumbent must have the ability to take a full-body shower with soap and shampoo one or more times per day without assistance. The incumbent must not have a skin condition which would prevent daily showering. Jewelry of any kind is not permitted inside containment.

Due to the contagious nature to livestock of Foot-and-Mouth disease, and other diseases under study at NBAF, Select Agent Regulations specify a personal quarantine for the incumbent entering biocontainment. As a condition of employment, all personnel entering biocontainment facilities at NBAF must not be in contact with specific susceptible animals for a period of five (5) days after leaving biocontainment. Currently, restricted species include cattle, sheep, goats, deer, other ruminants, and swine. Contact with horses, birds (agricultural and pet birds) and rabbits are normally permitted, but restrictions may be placed on staff working with or near-contagious agents affecting these species. Restricted livestock or other restricted animal may not be housed on the premises where the employee lives and where quarantine cannot be enforced. Incumbents who violate this requirement may be removed from employment or may be subject to other disciplinary action.

Medical confidentiality will be maintained by the examining physician and only fitness (or unfit) for duty determinations will be indicated. As required, periodic fitness for duty physicals will be scheduled. In addition, medical clearance will be required if it becomes necessary to enter an area where an air purifying respirator or other respiratory protection is required.

Body jewelry in piercings must have the ability to be removed prior to entering biocontainment or the piercing and jewelry must be completely sealed off from the working environment to protect the individual from contamination. No unhealed piercings are permitted inside biocontainment.

External medical devices may not be permitted. External medical devices must have the ability to be removed prior to entering biocontainment or be sealed off from the working environment to protect the individual from contamination.

Facial hair restriction are required to ensure the proper fit of tight-fitting respirators.

On-Call/Standby Requirement: The position requires the incumbent to be on-call 24/7 on a rotating basis (e.g., one week every four weeks). The incumbent must be available to respond to calls via phone within 30 minutes if necessary.

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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be evaluated based on your qualifications for this position as evidenced by the experience, education, and training you described in your application package, as well as the responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine the degree to which you possess the knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies listed below:

• Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision
• Ability To Interpret Instructions, Specification, etc. (includes blueprinting reading)
• Ability To Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
• Knowledge of Equipment Assembly Installation, Repair, etc.
• Knowledge of Materials
• 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. Applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements and are determined to be among the best qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration. Noncompetitive candidates and applicants under some special hiring authorities need only meet minimum qualifications to be referred.

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/12991413

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: Personal Information: name, address, contact information; Education; 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); other qualifications. Resume cannot exceed 2 pages.
• Current and former Federal employees:
  • Most recent non-award Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) showing you are/were in the competitive service, highest grade held (or promotion potential) on a permanent basis, position title, series and grade AND
  • Most recent performance appraisal (dated within 18 months) showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable. A performance plan is not an acceptable substitute.
• Current permanent FSA County employees must submit your most recent non-award Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) showing your highest grade (or promotion potential) held on a permanent basis, position title, series and grade AND most recent performance appraisal (dated within 18 months) per above.
• Veteran Hiring Authorities: VEOA, VRA and 30% Disabled Veterans: DD214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty, that 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.
• 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.
• Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act: Copies of Notification of Personnel Action(s) (SF-50) showing the employee served in eligible appointment(s) for a period(s) of more than 24 mos w/o a break between appointments of two+ years. Include initial hire actions, extensions, conversions and separation SF-50s for each period. Submit performance rating(s) showing acceptable performance for each period counted towards eligibility signed by supervisor(s). If documentation does not exist for one or more periods, submit a statement from supervisor(s) indicating acceptable performance. Applicants who do not have performance documentation for any period shall provide a reason why the documentation is not available and statement that performance for all periods was at an acceptable level.
• Schedule A, Persons with Disabilities Appointment: Letter from a physician, local, state or federal rehabilitation office citing eligibility under 5 CFR 213.3102 (u).
• 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.
• If claiming eligibility under a special hiring authority or an interchange agreement with another merit system not listed above, see the requirements for that authority and submit the required supporting documentation. Go to: USAJOBS Hiring Path for Special Authorities or Special Hiring Authority for more information.

Next steps