Utility Systems Repairer Operator (USRO) USDA-ARS

nwicc.edu; Ames (IA); Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Midwest Area, National Animal Disease Center in Ames, Iowa, seeks skilled personnel to operate and maintain critical utility systems and water treatment components.

This essential role requires readiness to work weekends and varying shifts to support mission needs. Responsibilities include servicing air compressors, pumps, cooling towers, water pretreatment, and water chemistry analysis to ensure reliable facility operations and

Responsibilities

• Operates, maintains, and repairs air compressors, fire pumps, domestic water booster pumps, cooling towers, water softeners, and associated pumps, valves, and actuators.
• Monitors, operates, and repairs waste pre-treatment plants as required in accordance with the existing maintenance plan.
• Tests and analyzes boiler water, feed water, condensate, chilled water, heating water, and cooling water tower using standard chemical tests.
• Checks gauges for proper temperatures and air balances, plugged drain, malfunctioning freezers, control panels and analyzes readings to determine operational status and necessary adjustments.

Job description

Summary

This position is located in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Midwest Area (MWA), National Animal Disease Center (NADC) in Ames, Iowa.

Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement

Duties

Operates, maintains, and repairs air compressors, fire pumps, domestic water booster water booster pumps, cooling towers, water softeners, and associated pumps, valves, and actuators.
Monitors, operates, and repairs waste pre-treatment plants as required in accordance with the existing maintenance plan.
Tests and analyzes boiler water, feed water, condensate, chilled water, heating water, and cooling water tower using standard chemical tests.
Checks gauges for proper temperatures and air balances, plugged drain, malfunctioning freezers, control panels and analyzes readings to determine operational status and necessary adjustments.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for this position you must meet the following by the closing date of the vacancy announcement: 06/26/2026

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 Utility Systems Repairer Operator (USRO), without more than normal supervision (Screen Out). Applicants who do not meet theSCREEN OUT ELEMENTwill not be given further consideration.

Physical Effort:

Work requires close hand-and-eye coordination, active walking, prolonged periods of standing on concrete floors, climbing, bending, reaching and working in cramped positions or crowded areas. May be required to lift equipment or material weighing up to 75 lbs.

Working Conditions:

Duties are normally performed inside of heated buildings but may be required for short periods of time to work on equipment in or on roofs of outlying buildings in inclement weather. Works in areas where equipment is in continual operation, where noise levels are abnormal and prevail. May be subject to infection, mechanical injury, gas, cuts, bruises, fumes, dirt and grease, possible exposure to contagious diseases, pathogens, and other environmental hazards within the laboratory or various spaces. Must wear appropriate safety equipment and comply with appropriate laboratory protocols. Required to wear full face respirator when working in biological control areas; facial hair restrictions may be required in order to comply with proper operation of personal protective equipment.

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.