Clarification from the agency

This position is open to current and former Federal employees with permanent status or reinstatement eligibility. Individuals who are eligible for a special appointing authority may also apply; such as applicants with a disability, former Peace Corps volunteers, certain military spouses, veterans seeking a VRA/VEOA appointment, or veterans who have been separated from armed forces under honorable conditions after 3 years or more of continuous active service.

• Operates, performs predictive and preventive maintenance on, and repairs equipment and component parts of refrigeration, air-conditioning, heating, high pressure steam distribution, humidification systems, and boiler systems.
• Installs and recognizes the cause of faulty equipment; repairs, modifies and relocates equipment that provides specific and critical conditions in laboratories and special purpose facilities.
• Performs maintenance to equipment, makes adjustment and repairs to equipment and control systems to ensure proper and efficient operation.
• Tests, detects and diagnoses trouble in heating and air-conditioning systems and takes corrective action.
• Cleans and maintains interiors of all mechanical rooms, air intakes, and all other mechanical equipment and areas; also performs fire pump and emergency generator testing.
• Assures the continuous operation and surveillance of the computers in the Central Control Room, analyzes printout data and alarms and assures appropriate remedial actions are taken.

Conditions of employment

• Pass Pre-employment Background Investigation
• May need to complete a Probationary Period
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.

COVID-19 VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS: 

For the latest information on the COVID-19 vaccination requirements and its impact on your application, click on Smithsonian Institution’s Frequently Asked Questions. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:  Physical exertion is considerable and includes prolonged standing, climbing up and down ladders and scaffolding, working in cramped and awkward positions, reaching, lifting, and bending when using hand and power tools. Weight lifted may exceed 50 pounds. Assistance is usually available for handling heavier materials and equipment. Heavy exertion is required at frequent intervals. Must have physical capacities for working outside in excessive heat, excessive noise, confined areas, inclement weather and on slippery or uneven surfaces that can be found at or in transit to and from worksites.

Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the job opportunity announcement.

For information on the Job Qualification System for Trades and Labor Occupations, see OPM’s web site at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/x-118c/index.htm.  

Qualifications

In order to be rated qualified, an applicant's overall experience and training must indicate possession of the minimum knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform the duties of this position.

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.

Conditions of Employment:

Must possess a current EPA Universal Refrigerant Certification.

Must have a valid State or District of Columbia driver's license.

Must be available to work any one of the various shifts and/or assigned workdays that include holidays, weekends, and call back emergencies.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

How you will be evaluated:
Applications will first be evaluated to determine whether the following screen out element is met:

1. Ability to do the full range of a Utility System Repairer-Operator to include operations, maintenance, troubleshooting and repair, without more than normal supervision.

If an applicant meets the screen-out element, the following Job Elements will be evaluated:

2. Knowledge of equipment assembly, installation, operations, repair and maintenance (HVAC, electrical, steam).
3. Knowledge of HVAC technical practices (theoretical, precise, artistic).
4. Use of Measuring Instruments.
5. Ability to interpret instructions, specifications, etc. (includes blueprint reading).
6. Ability to use and maintain tools and equipment.
7. Knowledge of Utility System Materials.

BASIS OF RATING:  Once the announcement closes, your application will be automatically evaluated and rated by the system and a Human Resources Specialist. To determine if you are qualified for this job, a review of your application and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the occupational questionnaire. The numeric rating you receive is based on your responses to the questionnaire. The score is a measure of the degree to which your background matches the knowledge, skills, and abilities required of this position. If, after the Human Resources Specialist reviews your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that the score you have received is not a true reflection of your qualifications and/or experience, your score can and will be adjusted to more accurately reflect the information you provided that support your abilities. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Your resume should provide detailed information regarding how your education and experience relate to this position, including the major duties and qualifications criteria listed.

Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA):  If you are applying for a VEOA appointment, you must be a veteran and must be honorably separated and either a preference eligible or have substantially completed 3 or more years of active service. ("Active Service" under this law means active duty in a uniformed service and includes full-time training duty, annual training duty, full-time National Guard duty, and attendance, while in the active service, at a school designated as a service school by law or by the Secretary concerned.) A veteran who is released under honorable conditions shortly before completing a 3-year tour is also eligible.

Noncompetitive Appointment Authorities:  The following links contain information on the eligibility requirements to be considered under a noncompetitive appointing authority:

• Primary Appointing Authorities for Career and Career-Conditional Appointments
• Hiring Authorities for Veterans
• People with Disabilities