Utility System Repair Operator

U.S. Department of Agriculture; Laurel (MD); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) — Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) in Laurel, MD seeks a skilled technician to operate, maintain, and repair complex heating, ventilation and waste sterilization systems.

Responsibilities include boiler operation, generator readiness, chiller monitoring, and decontamination processes. Candidate will troubleshoot issues, perform preventive maintenance, and ensure compliance with applicable safety and

Qualifications

• Experience operating and repairing boiler systems and related HVAC equipment.
• Ability to read instructions, blueprints, and technical specs.
• Knowledge of safety practices and equipment testing.

Responsibilities

• Operate, maintain, modify, and repair boilers that supply hot water 24/7.
• Monitor boiler operations to ensure efficient combustion and regulatory compliance.
• Perform preventive maintenance on heating, cooling, and related systems.
• Inspect and monitor chiller operations, log data daily, and address alarms.
• Maintain emergency power generators and test biweekly for readiness.
• Operate waste sterilization and BSL-3AG microwave systems as required.

Skills

Boiler operation

Preventive maintenance

Troubleshooting

HVAC systems

Job description

Summary

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

• 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.

Education

This position does not have an education qualification requirement.

Evaluations

Applications will be evaluated in accordance with Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Delegated Examining Procedures and USDA policy using category rating. Applicants who meet basic minimum qualifications will be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans. Category placement will be determined based on applicants' quality of experience and the extent they possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) or competencies: Ability to do the work of a utility systems repairer-operator without more than normal supervision Ability to interpret instructions, specifications, etc. (includes blueprint reading) Ability to use and maintain tools and equipment Knowledge of equipment assembly, installation, repair, etc. Technical practices (theoretical, precise, artistic) Use of measuring instruments Your application, including the online Assessment Questionnaire, will be reviewed to determine if you meet (a) minimum qualification requirements and (b) the resume supports the answers provided to the job-specific questions. Your resume must clearly support your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position. Those determined to be in the best qualified category will be referred to the selecting official for consideration. Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service. To preview the application questionnaire, please visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13078829