Engineering Technician

These positions are located within the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF), Facilities Engineering, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Plains Area in Manhattan, KS. In these positions, you will manage service, construction and repair projects to maintain and improve the quality and efficiency of facilities in support of the scientific mission of NBAF in the most cost-effective manner possible.

Major duties

• Assists in planning and developing approaches, design format, and illustrations for assigned projects related to feasibility and designs, facilities repair, maintenance, and construction requiring technical judgment and expertise.
• Works with the NBAF program staff to determine unit needs and to develop cost estimates and specifications for in-house repair and maintenance projects.
• Manages facilities service, design and feasibility, repair, maintenance and construction projects varying in scope which are critical to the infrastructure supporting biocontainment, laboratories, and research facilities.
• Researches unforeseen technical problems and conducts investigations to provide alternative solutions to management, project designers, or contracting officers regarding changes.
• Implements Federal Construction Standards and Contracting Regulations, building and mechanical codes, industry standards, manufacturer’s information, and NBAF and Unit standard policies and guidelines.
• Maintains contact and reports to Contracting Officer (CO) any contract issue that may affect the contract performance, cost or time.
• Serves as a designated Contracting Officer Representative (COR) for a variety of contract requisitions on behalf of the Contracting Officer (CO).
• Develops contract packages consisting of Statement of Work (SOW), cost estimates, and specifications for awards.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. GS-09 Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for GS-09 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-08 which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience recommending solutions to technical work that involves facilities repair, maintenance, and construction; recommending contracting approaches and negotiating with bidders and contracting office prior to award; and researching unforeseen technical problems and conducts investigations to provide alternative solutions. OR Education: Two full years of graduate education or a master's degree that is directly related to the work of the position. Related degrees may include physics, agricultural engineering, biological engineering, electrical engineering or mechanical engineering. OR A combination of graduate level education and specialized experience as described above. GS-10 Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for GS-10 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-09 which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience providing technical elements of engineering and construction support for facilities related projects or repair and maintenance programs; developing contract packages and cost estimates; reviewing shop drawings and submittals; and performing construction inspections. GS-11 Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for GS-11 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-10 which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience managing repairs, maintenance, and construction contracts requiring technical engineering judgement and expertise; interpreting and reviewing facility designs, specifications, or drawings; composing or reviewing contracts for projects; and developing cost estimates for a variety of multiple-use construction, repair, and service projects. Containment Work Requirements 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. Investigational vaccines are those approved for human testing while they continue gathering additional safety and efficacy data in advance of full approval for commercial release. While immunization with FDA investigational vaccines is strongly encouraged, the incumbent will be advised that such immunization is voluntary. Individuals who are already vaccinated or do not wish to receive the investigational vaccines will be asked to sign a declination form, assuming the risk of working with the viruses without vaccination. Ongoing Health Status Monitoring Psychological and physical health are monitored as part of a person's 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 coworkers, 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. Personal Protective Equipment 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. Decontamination/Body Requirements 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. 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. 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.

Education

Please see above for education qualification requirement information.

Requirements

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. 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/. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period unless previous federal service is creditable. During this time your employment will be evaluated, and we may consider: your performance and conduct, the needs and interests of the agency, whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government, and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Motor vehicle or commercial driver's license required. Drug test required. Special physical requirements/demands. Special Agency Check (SAC) and limited background investigation required for Research Leader positions. Tier 3 clearance required for positions working with BSL-3 (or higher) agents, or in BSL3/BSL-4 facilities. Select Agent. Participation in Occupational Medical Surveillance Program.