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Power Plant Operator Assistant Supervisor

Legislative Branch
Architect of the Capitol

Summary

This position is located in the Architect of the Capitol (AOC); Director, Utilities and Power Plant Operations (CPP); Assistant Director, Operations Division; Rotating Operations Branch A, B, C or D. The CPP operates around the clock to provide steam for heating and chilled water for air conditioning to the buildings of the U.S. Capitol, U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
01/06/2026 to 01/23/2026
Salary
$46.27 to - $54.01 per hour
Pay scale & grade
WS 11
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Washington, DC
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent - Permanent, Full Time Please be advised that federal retired annuitant candidates may only be considered as a temporary employee if the role can be filled in that capacity.
Work schedule
Full-time - This is an Excepted Service position and does not require or confer civil service Competitive Status
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
11
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
CPP-2026-058
Control number
853620700

This job is open to

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The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted from all U.S. Citizens. Please be advised that federal retired annuitant candidates may only be considered as a temporary employee if the role can be filled in that capacity.

Duties

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This position is located in the Architect of the Capitol (AOC); Office of the Chief Operating Officer; Director, Utilities and Power Plant Operations; Assistant Director, Operations Division; Rotating Operations Branch A, B, C or D. The incumbent serves as the Power Plant Operator Assistant Supervisor and is responsible for assisting the supervisor with the safety, environmental compliance, reliability and efficiency of all equipment in the Capitol Power Plant (CPP) during the assigned shift.

This position is emergency essential. The incumbent is required to report to work during emergencies, failure of plant machinery and equipment and inclement weather situations to support the critical mission of the Capitol Power Plant.

Tour of duty is for a rotating shift and will include holidays and weekends on a rotating basis.


Major Duties Include: The CPP operates around the clock to provide steam for heating and chilled water for air conditioning to the AOC buildings. The incumbent is required to report to work during emergencies, failure of plant machinery and equipment, and inclement weather situations to support the critical mission of the CPP.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES (30%)

The incumbent assists the supervisor on a shift comprised of one Control Room Operator Leader, a mix of three Power Plant Operators and AMP Power Plant Operator trainees and one High Voltage Electrician (shift electrician) assigned to the shift. 

Assists with the administrative and technical supervisory functions for subordinates, limited to administrative supervision for the High Voltage electrician. 

Work assignments are typically on an ongoing basis and accomplished within the work shift or coordinated with other Power Plant Supervisors when operations take longer than a single shift. 

When assigning work provides technical direction and assists subordinates in accomplishing difficult work steps. Observes work of subordinates in progress to anticipate and resolve problems. 

Completes performance plans for all subordinates. 

Ensures that employees complete training requirements in their established training plan and complete all aspects of training, including completing training evaluations in a timely manner.

Completes timekeeping and administrative functions correctly and in a timely manner. Makes suggestions as needed for training to enhance employee development. 

Arrives at worksite, clocks in, and reports to the control room in time to receive a proper turnover briefing. 

UTILITY SYSTEMS REPAIR AND OPERATION (20%)

Operates the electric generation, steam, and chilled water utility systems on a continuing basis.

Utilizes the plant Distributed Control System (DCS), environmental Data Acquisition and Handling System (DAHS), electric system Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), and other control systems to insure operation of all plant systems within desired parameters and at the highest possible efficiency.

Utilizes portable plant instrumentation such as refrigerant and combustible gas leak detectors, infrared scanning equipment, digital thermometers, borescopes, and vibration testing equipment.

Acknowledges and adheres to Plant Standing Orders. Instructs and trains Power Plant Operators/Operator Workers in the safe, efficient and effective operation of all plant machinery and equipment.

Supervises the proper response to machinery and equipment malfunctions and restores the plant to normal operations. 

PROJECT/PROGRAM PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT (20%)

Provides clear, professional, and timely communication. As required, reviews and comments on project and design documents and drawings provided to Operations by project personnel.

Conducts troubleshooting and assists the Power Plant Shift Supervisor in writing incident reports in a timely manner. 

Assists the supervisor in determining goals and objectives, develops policies and procedures, assigns priorities, develops specific program plans and milestones and establishes budget and resource allocations. 

Inspects completed work for quality and compliance with work order requirements. 

Provides instructions, reporting, preventative maintenance and work orders. Interprets instructions, specifications and work orders to accomplish work assignments. 

Reviews operations assigned work orders and preventive maintenance (PMs) on a daily basis. 

Follows directives as outlined in the plant 'night orders' and provided by the operation's general manager. 

LIFE SAFETY LEADERSHIP AND ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE, AND PLANT CHEMISTRY (30%)

Provides a workplace free of recognized hazards and provides employees an avenue to report unsafe working conditions and/or hazards. 

Adheres to the CPP Lock Out/Tag Out program. 

Conducts daily watch safety briefings at the beginning of the shift to identify and discuss any current safety issues or concerns.

Trains all shift staff on the use of the CPP LOTO system to ensure they are proficient in the use and application of LOTO.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

The work requires the incumbent to hold and maintain current status for one of the following:

Licenses: National Institute for the Uniform Licensing of Power Engineers (NIUPLE) First Class Power Engineer License;

District of Columbia Class 1 Steam Engineer License;

State issued Stationary Engineer License; or

United States Coast Guard (USCG) Marine Engineer License.

The work also requires the incumbent to obtain an EPA Universal Certification for refrigeration systems within the first year of employment.

  • A citizen of the United States;
  • A person who is lawfully admitted for permanent residence and is seeking citizenship as outlined in 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)(B);
  • A person who is admitted as a refugee under 8 U.S.C. 1157 or is granted asylum under 8 U.S.C. 1158 and has filed a declaration of intention to become a lawful permanent resident and then a citizen when eligible;
  • A person who owes allegiance to the United States (nationals of American Samoa, Swains Island, and the Northern Mariana Islands, and nationals who meet other requirements described in 8 U.S.C. 1408); or
  • A person who is currently an officer or employee of the Government of the United States.”
  • You must be able to pass a drug test and background check.
  • Your resume and question responses must demonstrate the job-related KSAs.
  • You must meet the definition of specialized experience. 

Qualifications

You must meet all eligibility and qualification requirements by the closing date of the job announcement.

You must meet the following SCREEN-OUT(S) required for this position.

  • Ability to Supervise employees performing power plant operation tasks.

  • The work requires the incumbent to hold and maintain current status for one of the following:

    Licenses: National Institute for the Uniform Licensing of Power Engineers (NIUPLE) First Class Power Engineer License; District of Columbia Class 1 Steam Engineer License; State issued Stationary Engineer License; or United States Coast Guard (USCG) Marine Engineer License. The work also requires the incumbent to obtain an EPA Universal Certification for refrigeration systems within the first year of employment.

Additional information

Welcome Veterans. The Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) gives veterans' preference rights in the legislative branch to certain veterans as applied by the Congressional Accountability Act. Veterans' preference is applied on this vacancy announcement. If you are a veteran and have been separated under honorable conditions, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility; SF-15, if applicable; and Department of Veterans Affairs documentation of disability, if applicable. For more information, please visit OPM vet guide

If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System.  If you are exempt from registration under Selective Service Law, you must provide appropriate proof of exemption. Please visit the Selective Service System website for more information.

DRUG TESTING: The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) is a Drug Free Workplace. As part of the AOC’s suitability assessment, a candidate tentatively selected for a position who is not currently an AOC employee is required to submit to screening for illegal drug use. Satisfactory completion of a drug test is a condition of employment with the Agency. A candidate must test negative prior to being eligible for appointment into a position. We will schedule, provide and cover the cost for the drug test.
 
The selectee(s) under the vacancy announcement for this position is subject to a criminal record check by the U.S. Capitol Police and satisfactory adjudication to be eligible for employment at the Architect of the Capitol.
 
The Architect of the Capitol is an E-VERIFY Participant. E-VERIFY is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment authorization in the United States. If you are selected for this position, the documentation that you present for purposes of completing the DHS Form I-9 will be verified through the DHS "E-VERIFY" electronic system. For more information on E-Verify, please visit http://www.dhs.gov/files/programs/gc_1185221678150.shtm

The Architect of the Capitol is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information and/or disability.

This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
 
Moving expenses are not authorized.
 
Relocation expenses are not authorized.
 
Probationary Period - A newly appointed selectee is subject to the completion of a one-year trial/probationary period, regardless of whether or not a trial/probationary period has been completed previously with the Architect of the Capitol or another Federal agency.

This vacancy announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies in any of the jurisdictions of the Architect of the Capitol.

All application materials become the property of the Architect of the Capitol.

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.

How you will be evaluated

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

Review your resume and responses carefully. Your eligibility for consideration and qualifications for the position will be determined based upon a review of your detailed resume and your responses to job specific self-assessment questions.

Your resume will be evaluated based on evidence of your ability to demonstrate the job elements for this position, possession of any specialized experience, and how well your background and experience relates to the self-assessment questions in the job announcement. The self-assessment questions relate to the following job elements and competencies:

--Ability to Supervise.

--Knowledge of Technical Practices-Understanding and working knowledge of industrial steam generating equipment and distribution piping systems that operate at 200 psig. Understanding and working knowledge of industrial chilled water generating equipment rated at greater than 3,000 tons and distribution piping systems that operate at or below 43 degrees  F.

--Ability to Interpret Instructions.

--Knowledge of Equipment Operation.

--Troubleshooting

Your responses to the self-assessment questions serve as the basis for your initial rating. You will receive a numerical score based on your responses to these questions. Next, your responses will be evaluated by a Human Resources Specialist and/or a subject matter expert against the information provided in your resume and optional cover letter. Your resume must support your answers to the self-assessment questions. Falsifying your background, education and/or experience is cause for non-selection or disqualification from further consideration.

Please note that a complete application is required for consideration. (Please review the “Required Documents” section of this job announcement to see what must be included in a complete application).


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