Maintenance Mechanic.

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS); Chesterton (IN); On-site; USD 67,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Geological Survey, Lake Michigan Ecological Research Station in Chesterton, Indiana, is seeking a facilities technician at WG-09 level to support building operations and maintenance on-site.

The role includes contract oversight for construction and rehabilitation projects, budgeting and preventive maintenance planning, and submitting FMMS projects for approval while ensuring safety and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. citizen or national.
• Background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Selective Service registration for certain males.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot and resolve building operations issues.
• Perform maintenance and repairs.
• Provide technical oversight as Contracting Officer Representative for onsite projects.
• Plan annual facility budget and preventive maintenance plans.
• Identify FMMS projects for approval.

Skills

Carpentry

Plumbing

Electrical

Job description

Duties

This position is located within the Department of the Interior, US Geological Survey, Mid-continent Region, at the Lake Michigan Ecological Research Station in Chesterton, Indiana.

The WG-09 salary range for Chesterton, Indiana is Per $32.05 (Step 01) to $37.32 (Step 05) per hour. First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired at the Step 01.

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

• Troubleshoot and resolve building operations issues.
• Perform maintenance and repairs.
• Serves as Contracting Officer Representative providing technical oversight, inspection, and communication for onsite construction or rehabilitation projects.
• Plan, develop, and execute annual facility budget and preventative maintenance plans.
• Identify, justify, and submit Facility Maintenance Management System (FMMS) projects for approval

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 have and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.
• A physical examination will be required, or a statement regarding physical ability will need to be completed. You must maintain physical fitness standards throughout employment.
• You may be required to wear a uniform and comply with the uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
• You are required to complete training, obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 2-year trial period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated.

This 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 trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

• Additional Requirements located under qualifications*

Qualifications

You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work.

You must be at least (1)18 years old or (2) at least 16 years old and: (a) Have graduated from high school or been awarded a certificate equivalent to graduating from high school; or (b) Have completed a formal vocational training program; or (c) Have received a statement from school authorities agreeing with their preference for employment rather than continuing their education; or (d) Be currently enrolled in a secondary school and either work only during school vacation periods or work part-time during the school year under a formal student employment program.

Qualifications:

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-09/18/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

Screen-Out: Ability to Do the Work of the Position without More Than Normal Supervision

This includes overseeing various building maintenance contracts, operating and maintaining equipment, performing custodial services, trash removal, and landscape maintenance. You must have proficiency in at least two of the following trades: Carpentry, plumbing, painting, electrical, or Heating and Air Conditioning.

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.

Current or former displaced Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, you must be well-qualified, score at least 85 (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements), and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry.

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.

You may be required to travel overnight away from home up to 4 nights per month. You must obtain a government charge card for travel purposes.

Term positions do not convey permanent status in the Federal service. The agency retains sole discretion and without further competition, the right to extend the duration of this appointment after selection and/or appointment, based on changes to the term appointment regulation(s). No extension to a term appointment shall be granted to a selectee/employee to an amount of time that exceeds the maximum number of years authorized under any present or current regulation, unless such regulation expressly allows such action.

Physical Demands:

The work of this position involves considerable physical effort and strength. The majority of the work involves continuous hands-on operation of facility utility systems and equipment, to include grounds work and construction projects. The work requires a considerable amount of daily walking, bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, climbing, ladder work, roof work, lifting of 100 pounds or more, and working in strained or cramped positions.

Working Conditions:

The work is most often performed in scientific laboratory spaces or mechanical systems rooms. Approximately 25% of the time, work is performed outdoors in severe cold, ice, heat, sun, rain, or wind conditions. Design, planning, estimating and other duties are performed in an office environment.

All Department of Interior (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,

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.