Skip to main content
U.S. flag
Back to results
 

Maintenance Worker

Department of Commerce
National Institute of Standards and Technology

Summary

NIST is seeking a Maintenance Worker to support the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of facilities and grounds that enable critical federal research activities. This position performs maintenance, repair, landscaping, and equipment operation duties that help maintain infrastructure, utilities, and site operations. The work supports continuity of operations, emergency response readiness, and a safe environment for employees, visitors, and laboratory operations.

Overview

Help
Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
05/08/2026 to 05/28/2026
Salary
$28.54 - $33.30 per hour
Pay scale & grade
WG 8
Location
2 vacancies in the following location:
Boulder, CO
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
8
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
OFPM-194-26-12956783-AS
Control number
868447900

Duties

Help

The primary purpose of this position is the operation, repair, and maintenance of exterior grounds systems in a research and development facility/campus. In this position you will:
- Perform a variety of tasks involved in the upkeep of grounds, buildings, and related structures, fixtures and utilities.
- Install, operate, maintain and repair exterior civil/building systems commonly found in a government research and development facility.
- Maintain the grounds landscape through mowing and line trimming and minor irrigation repairs.
- Assist with site snow removal during winter operations which can include operating snow blowers, plows, heavy equipment and shovels to clear site walkways, parking lots and building entrances. Snow removal duties can be assigned out of hours or during normal business hours as the weather events occur.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

  • U.S. citizenship
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
  • Suitable for Federal employment
  • Satisfactory completion of a pre-employment medical examination
  • Callback or emergency overtime required.
  • Bargaining Unit Position: Yes - American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), Local 2186

Qualifications

There is no specific length or level of experience requirements. The applicant's overall background of experience, education and training must clearly demonstrate the ability to operate heavy equipment and maintain exterior grounds components/systems without more than normal supervision.

Applicants must meet the screen out elements and achieve an overall score of at least fifty (50%) or higher

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 qualification requirements in this vacancy announcement are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Job Qualification System for Trade and Labor Occupations Handbook.

If requesting reconsideration of your qualification determination, please refer to the following site: Applicant Reconsideration

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

This position is covered by the Federal Wage System. The FWS is a uniform pay-setting system that covers Federal appropriated fund and non-appropriated fund blue-collar employees who are paid by the hour. For more information regarding the FWS, visit http://www.opm.gov/oca/wage/.

  • We may share your application package with other selecting officials at NIST with opportunities like this one. Additional selections may be made through this vacancy.
  • Click all links in this vacancy announcement to view additional information or instructions.
  • You MUST select at least ONE ELIGIBILITY in order to be considered for this position.
  • All documents submitted for this announcement must be legible in order to make qualification or eligibility determinations.
  • A probationary period may be required.

This position has physical requirements which include, but may not be limited to:
- Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over
- Heavy carrying, 45 pounds and over
- Pushing (1 hour)
- Reaching above shoulder
- Use of fingers
- Both hands required
- Walking (6 hours)
- Standing (6 hours)
- Crawling (2 hours)
- Kneeling (2 hours)
- Repeated bending (6 hours)
- Climbing, legs only (4 hours)
- Climbing, use of legs and arms
- Both legs required
- Operation of crane, truck, tractor, or motor vehicle
- Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
- Specific visual requirement: Correctable 20/40
- Both eyes required
- Depth perception
- Ability to distinguish basic colors
- Ability to distinguish shades of colors
- Hearing (aid may be permitted)

This position has environmental factors which include, but may not be limited to:
- Outside and inside
- Excessive heat
- Excessive cold
- Excessive dampness or chilling
-Dry atmospheric conditions
- Constant noise
- Dust
- Silica, asbestos, etc.
- Fumes, smoke, or gases
- Solvents (degreasing agents)
- Grease and oils
- Radiant energy
- Electrical energy
- Slippery or uneven walking surfaces
- Working around machinery with moving parts
- Working around moving objects or vehicles
- Working on ladders or scaffolding
- Working below ground
- Working with hands in water
- Vibration
- Working alone
- Protracted or irregular hours of work
- Other: Long hours working on snow crew

NIST strives to build a flexible and encouraging work environment to bring out the best in our employees. To help our employees balance responsibilities at home and at work, NIST offers a variety of work-life flexibilities. For more information, please visit our Careers website.

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.

How you will be evaluated: We will review your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documents to assess your qualifications for this position. Please be sure that your resume and supporting documents include detailed information to support your qualifications for this position. Failure to provide sufficient and/or legible evidence in your resume or supporting documents may result in a "not qualified" determination. You MUST select at least ONE eligibility (i.e., how you wish to be considered) to receive consideration for this position.

Rating: Applications will be assessed on the following competencies:

  • Ability to Do the Work of the Position without More Than Normal Supervision
  • Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (Includes Blueprint Reading)
  • Ability to Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
  • Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation, and Repair, etc.
  • Technical Practices (Theoretical, Precise, Artistic)

Applicants must meet the screen out elements and achieve an overall score of at least fifty (50%) or higher. Your rating may be lowered if your responses in the online questions are not supported by the education and/or experience described in your application.
To preview the questionnaire, click here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12956783

Referral: If you are among the top qualified candidates, your application may be referred to a selecting official for consideration. You may be required to participate in a selection interview. You will be referred depending upon your eligibility (i.e., Merit candidate, veterans preference, etc). Please review the Evaluation Process on how applicants are review and referred based upon how they wish to be considered for the position.

CTAP or ICTAP eligibility: If you are a displaced or surplus Federal employee eligible for the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP), you must be determined eligible and rated as well-qualified to receive special selection priority. "Well Qualified" means that in addition to meeting the minimum qualification requirements and selective placement factor(s), if applicable, you must receive a score of 85 or higher. Please review the following site regarding required documents to support CTAP or ICTAP eligibility and additional information regarding this authority - CTAP/ICTAP Eligibility

National Institute of Standards and Technology

NIST works with industry and science to advance innovation and improve quality of life.

Agency contact information

Lauren Beyer
Email
lauren.beyer@nist.gov
Address
Boulder Facilities Maintenance Division
100 Bureau Drive
Gaithersburg, MD 20899
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at National Institute of Standards and Technology, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

https://www.nist.gov/careers

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.