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Utility Systems Repairer Operator Supervisor

Department of Health and Human Services
National Institutes of Health
Office of Research Facilities

Summary

You will serve as a Utility Systems Repairer-Operator Supervisor, responsible for independently supervising other trades workers in performing a wide range of operations, monitoring, maintenance, and repair services for NIH utilities systems. You will monitor and inspection utilities systems on both a routine and emergency basis, which will require the use of multiple trade practices associated with the operation and repair of utilities systems and equipment.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
04/02/2026 to 04/08/2026
Salary
$46.27 - $54.01 per hour
Pay scale & grade
WS 11
Location
Montgomery County, MD
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
11
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
NIH-ORF-IMP-26-12916408
Control number
863530500

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

You must be currently employed by the National Institutes of Health, serving on a permanent appointment in the competitive service.

Duties

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As a Utility Systems Repairer-Operator Supervisor, you will:

  • Provide supervision and direction to a subordinate staff performing a broad range of complex utility systems operation, monitoring, repair, and maintenance duties and work activities.
  • Perform full range of senior journeyman tasks involved in monitoring, operation, and repair of multiple utilities systems and associated facilities, building systems and equipment.
  • Perform inspections, shift rounds, and preventive maintenance on utilities systems and other critical equipment.
  • Diagnoses trouble by analyzing malfunctions in equipment and other instruments for locating defects in complex mechanical, electronic, and electrical systems and controls.
  • Read and interpret blueprints, plans, and operating/technical manuals for systems and equipment to be repaired.
  • Perform extensive inspections and testing of utilities system and equipment to ensure proper operation and adherence to standards and tolerances.
  • Observe and comply with all standard safety codes, practices, and performs routine operational tasks.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship requirement or proof of being a U.S. National must be met by closing date.
  • Employment is subject to the successful completion of the pre-appointment process (i.e., background investigation, verification of qualifications and job requirements, completion of onboarding forms, submission of required documents, etc.)
  • Applicants for this position must pass a pre-employment medical examination.
  • Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered with the Selective Service.
  • Applicants must meet all qualifications requirements within thirty (30) calendar days of the closing date of this announcement, including time in grade.
  • This position requires weekend hours, night shifts, regular or rotational shifts, holiday hours.
  • This position has on-call or call-back requirements.
  • If selected, you will be covered by a bargaining unit (union).
  • This position is Emergency Essential. Please see Additional Information section.
  • This Position has physical requirements, See additional information section.
  • The selectee must possess and maintain a valid state motor vehicle license.

Qualifications

You will be rated in accordance with the OPM Qualification Standard Handbook X-118C. Although a specific length of time and experience is not required for most blue-collar positions, you must meet any screen-out element listed. 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 Job Elements for this position include:

1. Ability to Lead or Supervise.
2. Knowledge of Equipment, Assembly, Installation, Repair. etc.
3. Technical Practices (theoretical, precise, artistic).
4. Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (including blueprint reading).
5. Ability to Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment.
6. Ability to compile and prepare data, documents and reports on Utility Systems repairs, maintenance and operations.

You will receive credit for all experience material to the position, including experience gained in religious, civic, welfare, service, and organizational activities, regardless of whether you received pay.

Do not copy and paste the duties, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

To determine your qualifications and referral status, we may review your resume and supporting documentation and compare it against your responses to the vacancy questionnaire. Ensure you support your self-ratings with the information you provide in your application. We may verify or assess your qualifications at any time. Inflated or unsupported qualifications may affect your rating. Any misrepresentation or material omission of facts may be sufficient cause to end further consideration of your candidacy. Persons listed as knowing your past accomplishments or experience in your application may be contacted for verification purposes at any time. Verification may, but need not, begin before receiving an offer.

Preview assessment questionnaire before you apply: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12916408

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

  • This position is designated as an "emergency essential" position and the selected candidate will be considered an "emergency essential" employee and will be required to be available, ready, willing, and able to report for duty under all circumstances (e.g., inclement weather, government closings and holidays, lapses in appropriations, non-emergency and emergency situations) for operation 24 hours a day and 365 days per year coverage.
  • A one-year supervisory trial/probationary period may be required upon selection/ placement.
  • If selected, you must pass a pre-employment medical examination.
  • The selectee must possess and maintain a valid state motor vehicle license.
  • You must be able to lift and move heavy items weighing 50 lbs with or without a reasonable accommodation.
  • This position has on-call or call-back requirements.
  • This position may require nights, weekends and holiday hours.
  • This position will require work inside and outside, exposed to dirt, sewage, dust, grease, fumes, temperature extremes and gases.
  • This position may be subject to injury from the use of hand/power tools, burns, cuts, bruises or electrical shock.
  • May be required to wear protective clothing and equipment and may be required to enter confined spaces.
  • Based on your appointment, a one or two-year trial/probationary period may be required. A decision regarding your continued employment with NIH will be made as you near the end of this period.
  • The selectee must be able to bend, stoop, walk, stand, and climb, and work in cramped positions with or without a reasonable accommodation.
  • We may make additional selections for similar positions across the National Institutes of Health within the local commuting area(s) identified in this vacancy announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with any interested selecting official(s) at NIH. Clearance of CTAP will be applied for similar positions across NIH.
  • The National Institutes of Health participates in the USCIS Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify). E-Verify helps employers determine employment eligibility of new hires and the validity of their Social Security numbers.
  • The NIH maintains a tobacco free work environment and campus.
  • Must be able to perform the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
  • Visit Help Applying for helpful information on the application process.
  • Veterans' Preference only applies to Schedule A (disability appointment), HHS Reemployment Priority List (RPL) Eligibles, HHS Priority Reemployment List (PRL) Eligibles, and Veterans Recruitment Appointments (if applicable).

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.

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies:

1. Ability to Lead or Supervise.
2. Knowledge of Equipment, Assembly, Installation, Repair. etc.
3. Technical Practices (theoretical, precise, artistic).
4. Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (including blueprint reading).
5. Ability to Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment.
6. Ability to compile and prepare data, documents and reports on Utility Systems repairs, maintenance and operations.

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

Additional selections may be made for similar positions across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) within the local commuting area(s) of the location identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) at HHS. Clearance of CTAP/ICTAP will be applied for similar positions across HHS.

To be considered well qualified for the purposes of the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP)and the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), you must be able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry and substantively exceed the basic qualifications by scoring at least 80 points on the assessment(s) and meet all eligibility, physical, medical, suitability, and all other requirements.

National Institutes of Health

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the largest biomedical research funding organization in the world. NIH is made up of 27 Institutes and Centers, each with a specific research agenda, often focusing on particular diseases or body systems. NIH employs approximately 18,000 employees in varied occupations, all supporting research efforts that improve health and save lives. For more information on NIH's mission and goals, and its 27 Institutes and Centers, visit the NIH website.

Virtually explore the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) Bethesda campus, learn about scientific research, and get to know NIH community members who are working to help people live longer, healthier lives: https://www.nih.gov/virtual-tour/.

This position is located in the Division of Technical Resources (DTR) in the Office of Research Facilities (ORF), Office of the Director (OD). DTR provides technical consultation, design review, oversight, and quality assurance for design and construction documents for NIH intramural and extramural biosafety level (BSL-) 2, 3, and 4 Biomedical Laboratories, Animal Research Facilities, Aseptic Production Facilities, Data Centers, grant projects, and the Central Utility Plant (CUP). DTR operates and manages the CUP, the Cogeneration Plant, and the Central Utility Distribution System that provide all of the campus's requirements for heating, cooling and humidity.

Agency contact information

Colleen McNulty
Phone
301-496-1388
Email
mcnultycm@mail.nih.gov
Address
National Institutes of Health
6701 Rockledge Drive
Bethesda, MD 20892
US

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