Maintenance Mechanic.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS); Brussels (IL); On-site; USD 58,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) seeks a skilled technician to maintain a wide range of equipment and facilities. The role emphasizes preventive maintenance, repair work, and record-keeping across diverse machinery and building systems.

Applicants should demonstrate hands-on ability with power tools, measuring devices, and blueprint interpretation, along with a commitment to safety and proper documentation of work performed.

Qualifications

• Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision (Screen-out).
• Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair, etc.
• Technical Practices (theoretical, precise, artistic).
• Use of Measuring Instruments.
• Knowledge of Materials.
• Knowledge of Engine Mechanics.
• Theory and Instruments (Electrical, Electronic) Used in Shop and Trade Practices.
• Ability to Use Hand Tools, Power Tools, etc., for Metal Work.
• Ability To Interpret Instructions, Specification, etc. (includes blueprinting reading).

Responsibilities

• Operating, repairing, and maintaining a variety of gasoline and diesel-powered equipment with attachments, including trucks, trailers, tractors, heavy equipment, skid-steers, ATVs, UTVs, power units, pumps, sprayers, engines, boats, welders, and chainsaws.
• Constructing, installing, repairing, and modifying wood and wood substitute structures requiring close tolerance and structural soundness.
• Installing, modifying, and repairing utility, supply, and disposal systems and equipment such as sewage, water, oil, gas distribution, water closets, tubs, and showers.
• Performing preventative and corrective maintenance to grounds, buildings, and utilities, heating, refrigeration, and air-conditioning systems.
• Using and maintaining tools and equipment, keeping records, inventory, and reporting equipment damage or loss.

Skills

Equipment knowledge

Tool handling

Blueprint reading

Maintenance skills

Safety compliance

Mechanical aptitude

Job description

Duties

Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following:

• Operating, repairing, and maintaining a variety of gasoline and diesel-powered equipment with attachments, including but not limited to trucks, trailers, tractors, heavy equipment, skid-steers, All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), Utility Task Vehicles (UTVs), large power units, pumps, sprayers, small engines, boats, welders, and chainsaws.
• Constructing, installing, repairing, and modifying wood and wood substitute structures and items requiring close tolerance fit and structural soundness.
• Installing, modifying, and repairing new and existing utility, supply, and disposal systems and equipment such as sewage, water, oil, and gas distribution systems, and water closets, tubs, fire sprinkler systems, and showers.
• Performing preventative and corrective maintenance to grounds, interior and exterior of buildings, and traditional and alternative utilities, heating, refrigeration, and air-conditioning systems.
• Using and maintaining tools and equipment, records inventory and maintenance, and reports/documents equipment damage or loss.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Direct Deposit participation required.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, visit
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.
• You are required to wear a uniform and comply with uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period to evaluate your fitness and whether your continuation of employment advances the public interest.

This probationary or trial period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will 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.

Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated. Upon completion of your probationary period or trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-10/26/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

For current Federal employees, if hours worked per week are not included on your resume, you must submit a non-award SF-50 as part of your application to be used to validate your work schedule and determine the amount of specialized experience that you will be granted. An award SF-50 will not be acceptable documentation for which to consider your amount of qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the work schedule requirement as the service dates will be reflected. For all other applicants who are not current federal employees, your resume must state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience.

To qualify for this position, you must have sufficient knowledge and ability in the following job-related factors:

• Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision (Screen-out)
• Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair, etc.
• Technical Practices (theoretical, precise, artistic)
• Use of Measuring Instruments
• Knowledge of Materials
• Knowledge of Engine Mechanics
• Theory and Instruments (Electrical, Electronic) Used in Shop and Trade Practices
• Ability to Use Hand Tools, Power Tools, etc., for Metal Work
• Ability To Interpret Instructions, Specification, etc. (includes blueprinting reading)

If your knowledge and ability in the SCREEN OUT factor above is not sufficient, you will receive no further consideration. In preparing your application, describe in detail the experience and training which you have had that specifically prepared you for this job and to perform the duties described for this job. Experience should be clearly described and documented in your resume. Your resume must support your response to the assessment questionnaire, and if it does not, your application will be marked as not eligible. The qualifications reviewer will not assume performance of such duties by Job Titles alone. Address your knowledge, skills and/or abilities in the areas shown in the job-related factors. You must meet at least 2 points on the screen-out element(s) and obtain an average of at least 2 points on all of the job elements to be considered qualified for this position.

Volunteer Experience:

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.

Education

There is no substitution of education for experience for Federal Wage System (FWS) positions.

Additional information

Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.

All DOI employees, their spouses, and minor children may not acquire or retain any claim, permit, lease, small tract entry, or other rights granted by the Department in Federal lands, with limited exceptions. Additional ethics prohibitions can be found here,

Physical Demands:

Considerable physical effort is required in the operation and maintenance of facilities, equipment, and attachments. Considerable energy is needed working in small, confined spaces or elevated areas, and operating equipment over rough surfaces.

Requires occasional lifting or handling of objects or materials up to 50-100 pounds, unassisted, following proper lifting procedures to avoid injury. Frequently required to stand while working, climb ladders or scaffolding, and bend, stoop, climb, and work in awkward positions. This requires standing, bending, stooping, kneeling, climbing and working in tiring and cramped positions.

Working Conditions:

Work is accomplished both in an office setting (5%) and outdoors (95%). Works outside in all kinds of weather and frequently exposed to running water, fumes, dust, grease, dirt, falling from ladders or scaffolding, electricity, and moving parts of equipment and machinery. Work performed outside is in a variety of settings where steep terrain, extremely uneven, rocky and slippery footing is normal. Temperature extremes are common. May also be exposed to energized circuits, electrical shock, burns, electrical rotary devices, cuts and abrasions from the use of tools and equipment and burns from chemicals.

Work is regularly exposed to the possibility of bites, cuts, scrapes, bruises, falls, falling material, or injury from equipment associated with power equipment or hazardous materials. Work demands conformance to safety requirements including the use of a variety of personal protective equipment in adherence to applicable laws, rules, and regulations, such as protective clothing, hardhats, hearing protection, safety glasses, goggles, gloves, steel toe heavy leather boots, respirator, and other personal protective items.

PCS authorized; Discretionary benefits may be provided excluding contractor-provided home sale.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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.

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.