Utility Systems Repairer Operator

Summary

NIST is seeking Utility Systems Repairer Operators to operate monitor and maintain central utility plant systems on a rotating shift including high-pressure steam boilers large-capacity centrifugal chillers industrial air compressors and an 8 MW cogeneration turbine system to ensure reliable campus utility services.

Duties

The mission of NISTs Office of Facilities and Property Management (OFPM) is to advance NISTs mission success by planning building operating maintaining and servicing facilities that provide a safe secure and sustainable environment for world-class scientific research. This position is in the Gaithersburg Facilities Maintenance Division which manages and operates facilities for the NIST Gaithersburg site to ensure maximum responsiveness to NIST programs through reimbursable engineering design and renovation as well as building systems operation and maintenance.

As a Utility Systems Repairer Operator for this division duties vary by grade level:

At the WG-10 level you will:

• Operate regulate and monitor centralized plant equipment including 150 psi steam boilers and 3500-ton chillers to support utility demands across federal campus facilities.
• Perform routine checks tests adjustments and operational troubleshooting on utility systems such as heating air conditioning and water distribution using trade tools and standard operating procedures.
• Conduct chemical testing on boilers chillers and cooling systems to maintain proper operational thresholds and efficiency.
• Troubleshoot equipment malfunctions and perform mechanical repairs using blueprints sketches and shop mathematics referring complex or unusual problems to the supervisor.
• Plan and lay out assigned work independently selecting proper tools equipment materials and safety precautions required for working around high-pressure and moving machinery.

At the WG-11 level you will:

• Operate and maintain large-scale centralized plant systems with little to no instruction including multiple 150 psi boilers (up to 88000 lb/hr) campus service air compressors seven 3500-ton chillers and related ancillary equipment supporting research laboratories.
• Perform non-standard industrial troubleshooting and complex mechanical repairs on special-purpose utility equipment independently interpreting blueprints sketches and operating/maintenance manuals.
• Conduct comprehensive chemical testing and water treatment across boilers chillers and cooling towers to ensure optimum efficiency and asset preservation.
• Participate in training and operational support for the campus 8 MW Co-Generation unit including its 14-stage gas turbine heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) and high-pressure gas compressor.
• Make independent decisions during complex system issues collaborating directly with factory technical representatives to troubleshoot and resolve critical mechanical problems.

At the WG-12 level you will:

• Serve as a senior shift operator independently monitoring and troubleshooting central utility plant alarms and directing operational adjustments to ensure continuous utility service to complex R&D laboratories.
• Apply expert knowledge to operate maintain and execute complex repairs on high-capacity plant infrastructure including 88000 lb/hr steam boilers 3500-ton chillers service air compressors and the 8 MW Co-Generation plant.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance on shift assisting junior operators with difficult troubleshooting maintenance tasks and problem-solving.
• Collaborate directly with factory representatives to resolve complex utility failures and assist the supervisor in reviewing completed repair work and unusual operational problems.
• Perform advanced chemical testing programs complex shop mathematics and refrigerant handling under Universal CFC standards across centralized heating cooling and power generation systems.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• U.S. citizenship
• Males born aftermust be registered for Selective Service
• Suitable for Federal employment
• Merit applicants must meet time-in-grade/band requirements as applicable
• Satisfactory completion of a pre-employment medical examination
• Must possess an EPA universal CFC Certification
• Bargaining Unit Position: Yes (Washington Area Metal Trades Council AFL-CIO)

Qualifications

There is no specific length or level of experience requirements. The applicants overall background of experience education and training must clearly demonstrate the ability to perform the duties as described in this announcement screen out element (i.e. without more than normal supervision).

Applicants must meet the screen out elements and achieve an overall score of at least fifty (50%) or higher

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.

The qualification requirements in this vacancy announcement are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Job Qualification System for Trade and Labor Occupations Handbook.

If requesting reconsideration of your qualification determination please refer to the following site: Applicant Reconsideration

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

This position is covered by the Federal Wage System. The FWS is a uniform pay-setting system that covers Federal appropriated fund and non-appropriated fund blue-collar employees who are paid by the hour. For more information regarding the FWS visit may share your application package with other selecting officials at NIST with opportunities like this one. Additional selections may be made through this vacancy.

• Click all links in this vacancy announcement to view additional information or instructions.
• You MUST select at least ONE ELIGIBILITY in order to be considered for this position.
• All documents submitted for this announcement must be legible in order to make qualification or eligibility determinations.
• A probationary period may be required.
• Possession of an EPA universal CFC Certification is required.

This position has physical requirements which include but may not be limited to:

• Heavy lifting 45 pounds and over
• Heavy carrying 45 pounds and over
• Straight pulling (5 hours)
• Pulling hand over hand (5 hours)
• Pushing (5 hours)
• Reaching above shoulder
• Use of fingers
• Both hands required
• Walking (10 hours)
• Standing (10 hours)
• Crawling (4 hours)
• Kneeling (4 hours)
• Repeated bending (8 hours)
• Climbing legs only (4 hours)
• Climbing use of legs and arms
• Both legs required
• Operation of crane truck tractor or motor vehicle
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Near vision correctable at 13 to 16 to Jaeger 1 to 4
• Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other
• Both eyes required
• Depth perception
• Ability to distinguish basic colors
• Ability to distinguish shades of colors
• Hearing (aid may be permitted)

This position has environmental factors which include but may not be limited to:

• Outside and inside
• Excessive heat
• Excessive cold
• Excessive humidity
• Excessive dampness or chilling
• Dry atmospheric conditions
• Excessive noise intermittent
• Constant noise
• Dust
• Silica asbestos etc.
• Fumes smoke or gases
• Solvents (degreasing agents)
• Grease and oils
• Radiant energy
• Electrical energy
• Slippery or uneven walking surfaces
• Working around machinery with moving parts
• Working around moving objects or vehicles
• Working on ladders or scaffolding
• Working below ground
• Unusual fatigue factors: confined space
• Working with hands in water
• Vibration
• Working closely with others
• Working alone
• Protracted or irregular hours of work
• Other: shift work

NIST strives to build a flexible and encouraging work environment to bring out the best in our employees. To help our employees balance responsibilities at home and at work NIST offers a variety of work-life flexibilities. For more information please visit our Careers website.

Applicants may opt in to share their application materials with other Department of Commerce (DOC) bureaus/offices for vacancies in the same series equivalent grade/pay band and full performance level in the same duty location or commuting area. Applicants may be cross-considered between General Schedule (GS) and DOC alternative personnel systems (CAPS or APMS) at equivalent grade and performance levels; accepted offers are subject to that positions pay system. Opting in does not replace applying directly to other announcements of interest.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government passionate about the ideals of our American republic and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Required Experience:

IC