Clarification from the agency

This Merit Promotion position is open to Current Federal Employees and Former Federal Employees with permanent status or reinstatement eligibility. Individuals who are eligible for a special appointing authority may also apply such as Individuals with Disabilities (Schedule A), former Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, and Vista volunteers; certain Military Spouses, or individuals eligible under various programs for Veterans (VRA, VEOA, 30% disabled).

• Duties listed are at full performance grade WS-08 level.
• Planning--Plans daily, weekly and monthly work schedules and sequence of operations for assigned positions. Establishes deadlines and priorities for the automotive shop based on overall priorities and policies established by the FLWO Site Director, the availability of resources such as equipment, materials, and tools, and best practices in preventative maintenance and heavy equipment/automotive repair. Determines equipment, supplies, and maintenance routines required.  Assures that required parts are ordered in a timely fashion so as not to delay work.  Redirects staff and equipment to overcome problems such as equipment failure, material delays, unplanned absences or unexpected high priority work. Adjusts plans, assignments, and methods as necessary to accomplish the work safely, effectively and economically.  Coordinates work plans with the supervisor and other scientific and technical staff to prevent schedule and resources conflicts.
• Work Direction--Assigns work to individuals and provides technical direction and help on difficult work processes. Observes work in progress to anticipate and resolve problems, reassigns personnel within group supervised, and coordinates work among workers to maintain progress to meet schedules. Creates a culture of safety for staff by ensuring and all Smithsonian safety policies and procedures are understood, implemented, and observed.   Inspects completed work for quality and meeting work order requirements. Reports potential or actual work delays to the FLWO Site Director.Administration--Explains overall mission goals to subordinates. Sets performance standards and completes formal performance ratings.  Advises and counsels workers on improving their performance and explains new work techniques. Investigates grievances and complaints and resolves them informally when appropriate. Notifies supervisor of serious or unresolvable issues, and initiates proposals for formal disciplinary action as needed.   Identifies training needs and arranges training. Supports recruitment to fill vacancies. Schedules and approves leave.
• Performs maintenance, determines the cause of malfunctions, and makes repairs--including welding--to heavy mobile equipment and vehicles such as cranes, loaders, graders, backhoes, dump/plow trucks, water trucks and lifts that have mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical systems, controls, or features not commonly found on automobiles and ordinary transport trucks.  Also performs maintenance and repair on automotive vehicles to ensure their safety for mountain use.  Utilizes a wide variety of test and diagnostic equipment such as compression gauges, calipers, feeler gauges, micrometers, voltage testers, amp meters, tachometers, oscilloscopes, exhaust analyzers, dynamometers and test panels to analyze malfunctions and test both components and overall vehicle operation and performance.
• Formulates and directs a program of preventative maintenance for all Observatory vehicles, both heavy equipment and automotive,  that incorporates both best professional practices and all manufacturers’ maintenance recommendations and schedules.
• Performs a variety of tasks related to the overall operation the Observatory and management of the Observatory fleet.  These include, but are not limited to:   maintaining stock levels of frequently used parts, batteries, tires, gas, and diesel fuel; ensuring that reasonable neatness and cleanliness standards are maintained in shop areas;  overseeing the safe disposal of  used oil, contaminated fuels, antifreeze and other  hazardous  materials; overseeing shipping and receiving of large items through the warehouse loading dock and base camp storage yard; identifying, acquiring, and refurbishing excess government vehicles; and operating heavy equipment in support of Observatory operations and specialized tasks.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship required
• Pass Pre-employment Background Investigation
• Must possess a valid Commercial Driver's License (Class A)
• Employment is contingent on passing all required CDL medical reviews
• 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

Applicants must have a valid commercial driver's license, Class A (Vehicle Combination with GVWR 26,001 lbs., or more) at the time of application.  The selected candidate must obtain the Hazardous Materials endorsement within 6 months of appointment.

In accordance with the Smithsonian Institution's Drug and Alcohol Testing and Medical Examinations for Commercial Drivers Program, tentative selectees must pass a drug test AND physical examination in order to be offered an appointment.

Some tasks may require the use of a respirator and the incumbent must agree to annual respirator fit testing and training as well as an annual physical.

Physical requirements: Duties require that the incumbent work in tiring or uncomfortable positions for long periods. The work requires frequent standing, bending, reaching, stretching, climbing, kneeling, and crouching. Work may be performed on top of, under, and in tight compartments of vehicles in cramped or awkward positions and include strenuous tasks performed while standing, lying, or sitting. The incumbent will lift and carry items, unassisted, weighing up to 40 pounds, and often exert similar effort in pushing, pulling, and positioning parts, assemblies, and equipment. The position also will require lifting and moving heavier items with the assistance of other workers or with lifting devices such as jacks, hoists, and cranes. They are sometimes required to work from ladders or work platforms at varying heights.

Working Conditions:

Assignments require working both inside and outside in temperatures reaching over 90 degrees in summer and below freezing in winter, and may involve work in a mountain top environment at elevations from 4000 to 8600 feet in a variety of weather conditions ranging from blizzards and torrential rain to extreme heat.

Qualifications

Applicants will be evaluated on their ability to perform the duties of the position rather than the length of experience. 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. Additional information on the Job Qualification System for Trades and Labor Occupations can be found on OPM's web site at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/x-118c/index.html.

Part-time and/or unpaid experience related to this position will be considered to determine the total number of years and months of experience. Be sure to note the number of paid or unpaid hours worked each week.

Your resume should provide sufficient information regarding how your education and experience relate to this position, including the major duties and qualifications criteria listed.

How you will be evaluated

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

Your resume will be used to evaluate your experience, education, and/or training that address the competencies below:

• Ability to perform the work withoutmore than normal supervision
• Ability to lead or supervise
• Ability to maintain, overhaul, and repair heavy mobile and automotive equipment.
• Technical Practices (theoretical, precise, artistic)
• Ability to interpret instructions,specifications, etc. (including blueprints)

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.