This Electrician position is loacted at the Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory (FLWO), in the Optical and Infrared Astronomy Division of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) in Amado, Arizona. The individual is responsible for installing, modifying, repairing, maintaining, troubleshooting, testing, and loading new and existing electrical lines, circuits, systems and associated fixtures, controls, and equipment.
Summary
This Electrician position is loacted at the Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory (FLWO), in the Optical and Infrared Astronomy Division of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) in Amado, Arizona. The individual is responsible for installing, modifying, repairing, maintaining, troubleshooting, testing, and loading new and existing electrical lines, circuits, systems and associated fixtures, controls, and equipment.
Installs, modifies, maintains, repairs, troubleshoots, and tests circuits, systems, associated fixtures, controls, and equipment of secondary power distribution lines and circuits used to supply a wide range of voltage, amperage, phase, and frequency requirements to distribution panels, switchgear, power and control circuits, fire detection and suppression systems, security alarms, lightning protection systems, and electronic monitoring systems.
Works from building plans, blueprints, wiring diagrams, engineering drawings, and electrical maintenance and repair manuals. Plans and lays out the routing, placement type, size, gauge, balance, load, continuity, and safe operation of electrical lines, circuits, systems, equipment and controls that support industrial operations, computer complexes, or similar complex electrical loads. Traces hard-to-locate defects or problems associated with the completion of repairs and installations. Determines and places distribution panels, boxes, fittings, and connections and install wiring, couplings, conduit, relays, fixtures, transformers, and other electrical devices including electrical service entrances.
Diagnoses faults in circuits, controls, fixtures, motors, and distribution systems using testing instruments such as multimeters, meggers, and ammeters. Repairs or replaces defective wiring, breakers, relays, switches, lighting components, and control devices. Performs preventive maintenance on electrical panels, emergency lighting, generators, motor control centers, and building electrical systems. Identifies root causes of failures and recommends corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
Conduct training for other employees in the preventive maintenance, electrical safety, and servicing of all electrical systems and equipment. Identifies and communicates opportunities for improvement, cost savings, productivity/efficiency improvements and safety improvements.
Collaborates with architects and engineers to identify discrepancies between blueprints and on-site conditions, ensuring accurate project execution. Works with projects teams to ensure projects were completed on schedule and within budget.
Designs and development of various electrical systems and controllers. Performs site audits and inspections. Engages in all phases of new product introduction, including concept. Incumbent troubleshoots, repairs, and conducts preventive maintenance on motor control centers. Performs preventive maintenance as scheduled or required on electrical equipment as recommended by the manufacturer and on site safety programs. Ensures all work meets prescribed standards of quality and ensures compliance with all laws, safety procedures, policies and codes. Inspects electrical systems, equipment, or components to identify hazards, defects, or the need for adjustment or repair. Monitors performance of equipment and informs management of any potential problems. Interprets and applies the National Electrical Code, local codes, etc., and uses trade formulas to calculate common properties.
Appointment subject to pre employment background investigation with favorable adjudication.
Must possess and maintain a valid drivers’ license and be able to operate a vehicle on a narrow, steep, unpaved mountain road
May be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.
Direct Deposit/Elect Funds Transfer required for salary payment.
Physical requirements: Repairs and installations are made from ladders, scaffolding, platforms and other hard-to-reach places. This requires the employee to stand, stoop, bend, kneel, climb, and work in tiring and uncomfortable positions. The work requires frequently lifting and carrying of tools, equipment and parts that weigh up to 20 pounds and occasionally up to 40 pounds.
As part of medical surveillance programs, the incumbent may be required to take medical examinations to assess his/her medical qualifications for the position of Electrician.
Working conditions: The work is performed both inside and outside. The Electrician is sometimes required to make repairs and installations in bad weather and work in areas that are noisy, dirty, dusty, and greasy on scaffolding or cranes at heights of 30 feet or more and in close quarters such as manholes and attics. There is exposure to the possibility of injury from falling, electrical shock, burns, and injuries from rotary devices such as electrical motors and is frequently exposed to the possibility of cuts and bruises.
Qualifications
Your overall experience and training must indicate that you have the minimum knowledge, skills, abilities needed to perform the duties of this position. Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
The Smithsonian Institution is an equal opportunity employer. Additional information can be found on our website at (www.si.edu/oeesd).
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.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
The Smithsonian offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, vacation and sick leave, holidays, health/life insurance, accident insurance, and excellent retirement program options. Please see Benefits at http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/hr/benefits/fed/table.html for a complete description.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Your application will be evaluated first for the basic qualifications described above. The applications that meet the basic qualifications will be evaluated further against the following criteria:
• Ability to perform electrician work without more than normal supervision.
• Ability to use electrical drawings
• Troubleshooting (electrical)
• Ability to use and maintain tools
• Theory and Instruments (electrical)
• Dexterity and Safety
Applicants who meet or exceed minimum qualifications will be assigned to one of three category groups based on job-related criteria:
Best Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements and excels in most of the job related competencies above.
Better Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements and satisfies most of the job related competencies above.
Good Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements, but does not satisfy most of the job related competencies above to a substantive degree.
This category rating process does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three", but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. A selecting official may make selections from the highest quality category (Best Category) provided no preference eligible in that category is passed over to select a non-preference eligible in that category unless the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 3317(b) or 3318(b) are satisfied. Preference eligibles who meet minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent must be listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-9 grade level or higher. Applicants who have not submitted a resume in the USAjobs system and/or have not answered all of the vacancy questions will not be considered for this position.
Important Note: Your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses to the occupational questionnaire or other assessment tool for consistency. If a determination is made that you have rated yourself higher than is supported by your resume, you will be assigned a rating commensurate to your described experience.
Your resume should provide detailed information regarding how your education and experience relate to this position, including the major duties and qualifications criteria listed.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
The Smithsonian offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, vacation and sick leave, holidays, health/life insurance, accident insurance, and excellent retirement program options. Please see Benefits at http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/hr/benefits/fed/table.html for a complete description.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Your application package must include the following documents:
Resume - Your resume can be uploaded and attached to your application or created using the USA Jobs on-line resume builder. Ensure your resume contains the job title (including the occupational series and grade if it is Federal), job-related qualifications, starting and ending dates (month and year), hours worked per week, and salary for each employment period. It is your responsibility to ensure all information is submitted. Failure to include this information may result in disqualification for the position.
For assistance with creating a resume, please click here.
Proof of Veteran's Preference - DD214 (Member 4 Copy), if you are a veteran. Additionally, applicants claiming 10-point preference must complete Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, as well as additional documentation required by the SF-15, such as a VA letter
Proof of Veteran's Preference - DD214 (Member 4 Copy) if you are requesting a special appointment authority, such as VRA or VEOA
Proof of severe disability if you are requesting special placement consideration
Proof of eligibility for a military spouse appointment, such as a permanent change station military order
Proof of eligibility for any other special appointing authority not specifically mentioned here
A copy of your most recent SF-50 which shows your position title, series, grade, step, salary, position occupied, and tenure to verify Time-in-Grade/competitive status. If you have previously held a higher grade and are applying based on that grade you must provide a copy of the SF-50 showing you held the higher grade and/or have promotion potential to the grade being advertised. Do NOT submit award SF-50s.
A recent performance evaluation, if currently employed as a federal employee
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Click on the "Apply Online" button on the upper right side of the page. Please Note:
You must apply for this position online through the 'Apply Online' button and submit required supplemental documents (if they are relevant to you).
You may submit required documents by uploading them online during the application process; OR You may manually fax required documents. Faxes are received by an automated system, not a physical fax machine. Documents that are faxed as part of the application process must be sent with the system generated cover sheet by the closing date. Documents faxed without the system generated coversheet are not retrievable and cannot be considered as part of the application package.
The complete application package, including any required documents, is due in the Smithsonian Office of Human Resources on the closing date of the announcement by 11:59 PM Eastern Time.
If you are unable to apply online, paper applications may be accepted with prior approval of the Contact Person listed below.
SMITHSONIAN
Human Resources
60 Garden Street
Mail Stop 17
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
United States
Next steps
You will receive an e-mail to acknowledge that your application has been received. Please be aware that the confirmation e-mail could reside in your "junk" or "bulk" mail folder depending on your filters. The Smithsonian receives many applications for each job. Each application is reviewed carefully which may take a few weeks. We will send you an e-mail to update you as we go through phases of the application review process. You may also check your application status by logging into www.usajobs.gov and selecting the tab "My USAJOBS;" e-mailing vacancy.info@si.edu; or by contacting the Office of Human Resources Representative listed.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Your application package must include the following documents:
Resume - Your resume can be uploaded and attached to your application or created using the USA Jobs on-line resume builder. Ensure your resume contains the job title (including the occupational series and grade if it is Federal), job-related qualifications, starting and ending dates (month and year), hours worked per week, and salary for each employment period. It is your responsibility to ensure all information is submitted. Failure to include this information may result in disqualification for the position.
For assistance with creating a resume, please click here.
Proof of Veteran's Preference - DD214 (Member 4 Copy), if you are a veteran. Additionally, applicants claiming 10-point preference must complete Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, as well as additional documentation required by the SF-15, such as a VA letter
Proof of Veteran's Preference - DD214 (Member 4 Copy) if you are requesting a special appointment authority, such as VRA or VEOA
Proof of severe disability if you are requesting special placement consideration
Proof of eligibility for a military spouse appointment, such as a permanent change station military order
Proof of eligibility for any other special appointing authority not specifically mentioned here
A copy of your most recent SF-50 which shows your position title, series, grade, step, salary, position occupied, and tenure to verify Time-in-Grade/competitive status. If you have previously held a higher grade and are applying based on that grade you must provide a copy of the SF-50 showing you held the higher grade and/or have promotion potential to the grade being advertised. Do NOT submit award SF-50s.
A recent performance evaluation, if currently employed as a federal employee
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Click on the "Apply Online" button on the upper right side of the page. Please Note:
You must apply for this position online through the 'Apply Online' button and submit required supplemental documents (if they are relevant to you).
You may submit required documents by uploading them online during the application process; OR You may manually fax required documents. Faxes are received by an automated system, not a physical fax machine. Documents that are faxed as part of the application process must be sent with the system generated cover sheet by the closing date. Documents faxed without the system generated coversheet are not retrievable and cannot be considered as part of the application package.
The complete application package, including any required documents, is due in the Smithsonian Office of Human Resources on the closing date of the announcement by 11:59 PM Eastern Time.
If you are unable to apply online, paper applications may be accepted with prior approval of the Contact Person listed below.
SMITHSONIAN
Human Resources
60 Garden Street
Mail Stop 17
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
United States
Next steps
You will receive an e-mail to acknowledge that your application has been received. Please be aware that the confirmation e-mail could reside in your "junk" or "bulk" mail folder depending on your filters. The Smithsonian receives many applications for each job. Each application is reviewed carefully which may take a few weeks. We will send you an e-mail to update you as we go through phases of the application review process. You may also check your application status by logging into www.usajobs.gov and selecting the tab "My USAJOBS;" e-mailing vacancy.info@si.edu; or by contacting the Office of Human Resources Representative listed.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.