Maintenance Worker

Duties

Summary

This position is located within the Facilities Engineering Unit of the National Animal Disease Center (NADC) for the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in Ames, IA. In this position, you will operate and maintain animal carcass renders and provide routine maintenance of the building including air conditioning, heating and ventilation, plumbing and electrical work.

Requirements

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. In order to qualify for this position you must meet the following by the closing date of the vacancy announcement: 12/03/2024. 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 Worker, without more than normal supervision (Screen Out). Applicants who do not meet the SCREEN OUT ELEMENT will not be given further consideration. Physical Effort: Work is performed in an office, on benches, supports, ladders, scaffolds, roofs, catwalks, manholes, in harnesses, ditches, around fixtures and piping which requires continuous standing, stooping, bending, climbing, working overhead in stretched, cramped and awkward positions. Arm strain may result when required to work in awkward positions. Is required to enter confined spaces. May lift and carry items up to 40 ls, and occasionally lift objects weighing 50 lbs or more (using equipment or hand trucks for safe handling). Working Conditions: Subject to fumes, bases and sparks; injury and continuous exposure to hazards of spills, cuts, bruises, noise, vibrations, burns, dust, dirt, and danger from flying chips when using powered hand tools. Subject to potential for falls when working on ladders and scaffolds. Renderer operations are completed in heated spaces, but other assigned work may be performed inside or outside. In accordance with operational protocols, is required to wear personal protective equipment such as gloves, masks, respirators, ear protection, and fall protection gear during normal operations to adhere to established safety protocols. May be required to shower prior to reporting to duty station and/or in accordance with entrance/exit safety protocols for specific areas. Conditions involved exposure to varying abnormal temperatures and conditions both inside and outside of buildings. Works in areas where equipment is in continual operation, noise levels may be abnormal and strong odors will be present. Subject to infection, mechanical injury, gas, cuts, bruises, fumes, dirt, and grease. Required to wear full face respirator when working in biological control areas or areas where biological spill has taken place; facial hair restrictions will be required in order to comply with proper operation of personal protective equipment. A flexible work schedule is required to operate and monitor the units in accordance with the program staff needs, which may include required overtime or extended work hours.

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/.