Utility System Repair Operator

This position is located with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) in Laurel, MD. In this position, you will perform a variety of operations and functions relating to the adjustment, maintenance, repair, replacement, modification, and inspection of complex heating, ventilating, waste sterilization, emergency electrical generator, and air conditioning systems at NCAPP.

Major duties

• The duties may include, but are not limited to:
• Operates, maintains, modifies, and repairs three boilers that supply 180-degree Fahrenheit water 24/7, throughout the entire facility.
• Monitors, adjusts, and controls phases of the boiler plant operation to achieve efficient combustion levels and compliance with air pollution laws or regulations.
• Troubleshoots and diagnoses malfunctioning heating systems and supporting components, determines nature and extent of repairs and makes adjustments and corrections as required.
• Performs regular preventive maintenance, diagnoses refrigeration malfunctions, and makes repairs to compressors, condensers, liquid line solenoid and expansion valves, coils, motors, belts, bearings, fans, filter-driers, and other auxiliary equipment
• Inspects and monitors the chiller operations, temperatures, and generated alarms on a daily basis, and records all data in the chiller logbook.
• Maintains the generator in a ready state mode in order to guarantee 24/7 emergency power transfer capability.
• Exercises all generators on a biweekly basis by bringing them up to operational conditions and making repairs or adjustments as needed to ensure optimal performance.
• Initiates the decontamination cycle and monitors the batch runs through the system, and records all pressures and temperatures and logs them in the waste sterilization log book.
• Operates, inspects, and maintains the BSL-3AG microwave wastewater sterilization system that was designed exclusively to perform pre-programmed thermal deactivation of biological waste, including Ag Select Agents.

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. To qualify for the WG-11 Grade Level, you must show you have had training and experience of sufficient scope and quality to provide you with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position. Your resume MUST support the experience required for the grade level being appointed. Your resume must include this experience, being mindful that experience may not be inferred by job title. 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. Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level.

Education

This position does not have an education qualification requirement.