Maintenance Mechanic (Plumbing)

US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS); Athens (GA); On-site; USD 38,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

USDA Agricultural Research Service, Southeast Area, US National Poultry Research Center located in Atlanta, Georgia, seeks a Location Support Staff member to perform critical maintenance and repair duties across facilities.

The role requires working both indoors and outdoors, following strict safety guidelines, and being able to operate in shifts including nights, weekends, or holidays when needed to support mission requirements.

Qualifications

• Ability to perform repairs and installations at benches, supports, ladders, and overhead areas.
• Frequent lifting and carrying of parts and equipment up to 40–50 pounds.
• Must wear PPE and follow safety protocols for hazardous chemicals and lab environments.

Responsibilities

• Maintenance and repair work on benches, supports, plumbing fixtures, and equipment at the National Poultry Research Center locations.
• Work performed inside and outside, under various weather conditions, following safety procedures and PPE requirements.

Job description

Summary

This position is located in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Southeast Area (SEA), US National Poultry Research Center, Location Support Staff in Atlanta, Georgia.

Duties

This position is located in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Southeast Area (SEA), US National Poultry Research Center, Location Support Staff in Atlanta, Georgia.

Requirements

In order to qualify for this position you must meet the following by the closing date of the vacancy announcement: 08/31/2026 Qualifications will be determined under the Job Element Rating System X-118C, Qualifications Standard Handbook. While a specific length of time and experience is not required for most Wage Grade positions, you must show through experience and training that you possess the best qualified level of knowledge and skill necessary to perform the duties of this position. Qualification requirements emphasize the quality of experience, not necessarily the length. The responses to the questionnaire and your resume should be in significant detail to provide the person rating your application with a good understanding of your ability to do the job, technical knowledge, work, and training experience, etc. (For example You must have the ability to perform the duties of a, Maintenance Mechanic (Plumbing) without more than normal supervision (Screen Out)). Applicants who do not meet the SCREEN OUT ELEMENT will not be given further consideration. Physical Effort: The incumbent makes repairs and installations on benches, supports, from ladders, scaffolding, roof, on catwalks, in modules, manholes, ditches, around fixtures and piping which requires continuous standing, stooping, bending, limbing, kneeling, working overhead in stretched, cramped and awkward positions. This also includes holding welding torch and rod suspended for short intermittent periods of time and arm strain when required to weld in awkward positions. The work involves frequent lifting, carrying, and setting up parts and equipment that weighs up to or over 40-50 pounds using weight bearing support. Working Conditions: Work is performed both inside and outside, and the incumbent is required to make repairs and installations in bad weather; in work areas that are noisy, dirty, dusty, and greasy; and in close quarters. The incumbent is subject to fumes from welding, soldering and sparks, gases, and toxic fumes; to injury and continuous exposure to hazards of cuts, bruises, noise vibrations, burns dust and danger from flying chips when using powered and hand tools and to falls when working on ladders and scaffolds. Clothing changes are provided by the Location while at duty station. The incumbent is required to wear safety equipment such as, but not limited to, coveralls, ear plugs, safety glasses, hard hat, gloves, and safety shoes. The incumbent works with and around hazardous chemicals while cleaning and repairing tanks, sewers, and plumbing fixtures. Showers will be required prior to reporting to duty station in accordance with entrance/exit safety protocols for specific areas of the Location. The incumbent is required to attend all training assigned for the safe use, storage and disposal of hazardous chemicals and be able and willing to understand and execute all safety precautions when working with hazardous chemicals. The incumbent is required to frequently wear personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks or respirators, eye and ear protection, boots, gloves, and coveralls when working in any of the laboratories. PPE provides necessary protection against biological and chemical hazards but may increase the risk of accidents due to decreased vision, hampered communication, limited mobility and dexterity. Physical well-being may be compromised by the prolonged usage of the PPE may lead to labored respiration, heat stress and dehydration. Restrictions of facial hair is imposed for proper use of personal protective equipment. The health status of personnel is monitored periodically using biologic and serologic tests and physical examinations. Restrictions against contact with birds and livestock outside the laboratory may apply after entering high security animal facilities that are working with disease agents foreign to the United States. This is an essential position that must report during times of emergency or inclement weather; and will be required to work on weekends, nights, days, evenings, holidays, and/or after hours for shift work requirements and when necessary, during emergencies, critical periods, or during times when the government is closed due to inclement weather to cover for staffing needs to support mission requirements, contractor support, scheduled outages and normal operations.
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.
Agricultural Research Service is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief scientific in-house research agency. Our job is finding solutions to agricultural problems that affect Americans every day from field to table. What we do matters in science and the world. For more information about Agricultural Research Service, go to https://www.ars.usda.gov/.