Maintenance Mechanic

US Geological Survey; Chesterton (IN); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

US Geological Survey in Chesterton, Indiana, seeks a facilities maintenance worker for a term appointment lasting up to four years. The position requires overseeing maintenance contracts, operating and maintaining facility equipment, implementing custodial and landscape tasks, and supporting safety and compliance programs.

Applicants should meet the minimum federal qualifications; on-call, evenings, weekends, and holidays may be required.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience in at least two trades (carpentry, plumbing, painting, electrical, HVAC).
• Ability to read blueprints and use maintenance tools.

Responsibilities

• Oversee building maintenance contracts and schedule repairs.
• Operate and maintain facility equipment and tools.
• Perform custodial tasks, trash removal, and landscape maintenance.

Skills

Carpentry

Plumbing

Painting

Electrical

HVAC

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

This is a Term position (more than 1 year) with an initial appointment expecting to last at least 13 months but may be extended up to a total of four years, or more based on any changes to regulations governing the number of years term appointments may last, without further competition at management's discretion. The position is located in Chesterton, Indiana working for the USGS Great Lakes Science Center.

Requirements Continued...

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-09/11/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

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

• 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.
• Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (Includes Blueprint Reading)
• Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation, and Repair, etc.
• Ability to Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
• Knowledge of Materials
• Use of Measuring Instruments
• Technical Practices (Theoretical, Precise, Artistic)

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.

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.