Utility Systems Repairer Operator

Clarification from the agency

U.S. Citizens and Status Candidates (this includes Merit Promotion, Status Candidates, Former Overseas Employees, CTAP, ICTAP, VRA, VEOA, 30% or More Disabled, EVHO, Schedule A, Military Spouses, Americorps, Peace Corps, Vista, Interchange Agreement Eligibles, and National Guard).

The mission of NIST's Office of Facilities and Property Management (OFPM) is to advance NIST's mission success by planning, building, operating, maintaining, and servicing facilities that provide a safe, secure, and sustainable environment for world-class scientific research. This position is in the Gaithersburg Facilities Maintenance Division, which manages and operates facilities for the NIST Gaithersburg site to ensure maximum responsiveness to NIST programs through reimbursable engineering design and renovation, as well as building systems operation and maintenance.

As a Utility Systems Repairer Operator for this division, duties vary by grade level:

At the WG-10 level, you will:

• Operate, regulate, and monitor centralized plant equipment, including 150 psi steam boilers and 3,500-ton chillers, to support utility demands across federal campus facilities.
• Perform routine checks, tests, adjustments, and operational troubleshooting on utility systems such as heating, air conditioning, and water distribution using trade tools and standard operating procedures.
• Conduct chemical testing on boilers, chillers, and cooling systems to maintain proper operational thresholds and efficiency.
• Troubleshoot equipment malfunctions and perform mechanical repairs using blueprints, sketches, and shop mathematics, referring complex or unusual problems to the supervisor.
• Plan and lay out assigned work independently, selecting proper tools, equipment, materials, and safety precautions required for working around high-pressure and moving machinery.

At the WG-11 level, you will:

• Operate and maintain large-scale centralized plant systems with little to no instruction, including multiple 150 psi boilers (up to 88,000 lb/hr), campus service air compressors, seven 3,500-ton chillers, and related ancillary equipment supporting research laboratories.
• Perform non-standard industrial troubleshooting and complex mechanical repairs on special-purpose utility equipment, independently interpreting blueprints, sketches, and operating/maintenance manuals.
• Conduct comprehensive chemical testing and water treatment across boilers, chillers, and cooling towers to ensure optimum efficiency and asset preservation.
• Participate in training and operational support for the campus 8 MW Co-Generation unit, including its 14-stage gas turbine, heat recovery steam generator (HRSG), and high-pressure gas compressor.
• Make independent decisions during complex system issues, collaborating directly with factory technical representatives to troubleshoot and resolve critical mechanical problems.

At the WG-12 level, you will:

• Serve as a senior shift operator, independently monitoring and troubleshooting central utility plant alarms and directing operational adjustments to ensure continuous utility service to complex R&D laboratories.
• Apply expert knowledge to operate, maintain, and execute complex repairs on high-capacity plant infrastructure, including 88,000 lb/hr steam boilers, 3,500-ton chillers, service air compressors, and the 8 MW Co-Generation plant.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance on shift, assisting junior operators with difficult troubleshooting, maintenance tasks, and problem-solving.
• Collaborate directly with factory representatives to resolve complex utility failures and assist the supervisor in reviewing completed repair work and unusual operational problems.
• Perform advanced chemical testing programs, complex shop mathematics, and refrigerant handling under Universal CFC standards across centralized heating, cooling, and power generation systems.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. citizenship
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
• Suitable for Federal employment
• Merit applicants must meet time-in-grade/band requirements, as applicable
• Satisfactory completion of a pre-employment medical examination
• Must possess an EPA universal CFC Certification
• Bargaining Unit Position: Yes (Washington Area Metal Trades Council, AFL-CIO)

Qualifications

There is no specific length or level of experience requirements. The applicant's overall background of experience, education and training must clearly demonstrate the ability to perform the duties, as described in this announcement, screen out element (i.e. without more than normal supervision).

Applicants must meet the screen out elements and achieve an overall score of at least fifty (50%) or higher

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, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The qualification requirements in this vacancy announcement are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Job Qualification System for Trade and Labor Occupations Handbook.

If requesting reconsideration of your qualification determination, please refer to the following site: Applicant Reconsideration

How you will be evaluated

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

How you will be evaluated: We will review your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documents to assess your qualifications for this position. Please be sure that your resume and supporting documents include detailed information to support your qualifications for this position. Failure to provide sufficient and/or legible evidence in your resume or supporting documents may result in a "not qualified" determination. You MUST select at least ONE eligibility (i.e., how you wish to be considered) to receive consideration for this position.

Rating: Applications will be assessed on the following competencies:

• Ability to Do the Work of the Position without More Than Normal Supervision
• Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (Includes Blueprint Reading)
• Ability to Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
• Dexterity and Safety
• Knowledge of Materials
• Technical Practices (Theoretical, Precise, Artistic)
• Use of Measuring Instruments

Applicants must meet the screen out elements and achieve an overall score of at least fifty (50%) or higher. Subject Matter Experts may be used for qualification determinations. If the minimum qualifications and eligibility requirements are met, your application will be rated and ranked among others, based on your responses to the online questions regarding your experience, education, training, performance appraisals, or awards relevant to the duties of the position. Your rating may be lowered if your responses in the online questions are not supported by the education and/or experience described in your application.
To preview the questionnaire, click here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13099922

Referral: If you are among the top qualified candidates, your application may be referred to a selecting official for consideration. You may be required to participate in a selection interview. You will be referred depending upon your eligibility (i.e., Merit candidate, veterans preference, etc). Please review the Evaluation Process on how applicants are review and referred based upon how they wish to be considered for the position.

CTAP or ICTAP eligibility: If you are a displaced or surplus Federal employee eligible for the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP), you must be determined eligible and rated as well-qualified to receive special selection priority. "Well Qualified" means that in addition to meeting the minimum qualification requirements and selective placement factor(s), if applicable, you must receive a score of 85 or higher. Please review the following site regarding required documents to support CTAP or ICTAP eligibility and additional information regarding this authority - CTAP/ICTAP Eligibility

The documents required vary based on how you're applying (i.e., as a veteran or disabled veteran, current or former Federal employee, etc.). Please review the Required Documents for this position to find out if there are any documents required with your application. Failure to submit required documents, based upon how you apply, may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package.

A complete application includes: 1) A resume, 2) vacancy question responses, and 3) submission of any required documents. Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, or if the documents submitted are illegible you may not be considered for this position (or may not receive the special consideration for which you may be eligible).

Resume: All applicants must submit a resume by creating one in USAJOBS or uploading one of their choosing. Cover letters are optional. To receive any credit for relevant experience, please list the month/year and the number of hours worked for experience listed on your resume. We suggest you preview the online questions, as you may need to customize your resume to ensure that it supports your responses to these questions. Please refer to the Resume Guidance on how to build an effective resume. Only resumes up to 2 pages will be accepted. Applicants with resumes exceeding 2 pages will be removed from consideration. Reference the USAJobs Help Center for additional recommendations and instructions.

Reinstatement: If you are a former federal employee (separated from Federal service for at least 1 year) and wish to be non-competitively reinstated for a higher grade or full performance level than which you left federal employment, you MUST provide a copy of your separation SF-50 (the "position occupied" block on the SF-50 should show a "1" and your "tenure" block should show a "1" or "2") AND the last performance appraisal you received from your federal employment which shows at least a fully successful rating.

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