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Summary

The Maintenance Worker will perform a variety of duties involved in the maintenance of the office complexes, laboratories, machine and automotive shops, dormitories, telescope buildings, and other ancillary structures at FLWO that are in 24 hour, 365 day/year operation; and the infrastructure associated with a remote site location including the mountain road and water storage systems. 

 

Overview

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Accepting applications
Location
2 vacancies in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$29.17 - $34.04 per hour
Pay scale & grade
WG 08
Promotion potential
08
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time - Full Time
Travel Required
Not required - Infrequent travel, such as for specialized training, may be required.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Other
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
26-78
Control number
881130000

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

This position is open to all U.S. Citizens or U.S. Nationals.

Duties

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  • Operate snowplows and sanders in winter weather on an unpaved mountain road.
  • Participate in grounds maintenance activities as required, including tree trimming, weeding, and grass cutting along the mountain road and at the administrative complex, while operating and maintaining related tools and equipment.
  • Collaborate with scientific, support staff and Ridge Telescopes’ staff to troubleshoot and resolve issues across telescope systems and facilities.
  • Determine and implement appropriate repair methods for components such as telescope seams, dome structures, rotation motor assemblies, and telescope instrument changes.
  • Operate heavy equipment such as forklifts, man lifts, front-end loaders, backhoes, cranes, etc. in open areas and on level, hilly and/or mountainous terrain to move earth, rocks, sand, stumps and other equipment.
  • Transport safely the optical, scientific equipment and liquid nitrogen Dewars required for telescope instruments’ operation from base camp to the summit.
  • Perform routine operational support tasks in accordance with work orders, schedules, and manufacturer instructions, including delivery and pickup of materials between facilities.
  • Conduct fueling and minor servicing of vehicles and heavy equipment and serves as an alternate driver for transportation of goods to and from Tucson in accordance with established procedures and manufacturer instructions
  • Remove debris and rocks from culverts (150) along the mountain road and clears fallen rocks following rainstorms and high winds, performing work with minimal supervision while coordinating with coworkers to maintain safe road conditions.
  • Assess maintenance and repair requirements and carry out work on vehicle and equipment systems with minimal supervision
  •  Perform other related maintenance duties as assigned.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must successfully complete a background investigation.
  • May be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
  • Must participate in Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds for salary payments
  • Use of respirator and annual respirator fit testing and training required.
  • U.S. Citizenship is required.

Applicants must have a valid driver's license. 
Annual physical examinations are required to be certified for using a respiratory system for a limited number of tasks.

An annual respirator fit testing and training is required.

Heavy physical effort will be required in constantly reaching, bending, turning and moving hands, arms, feet, and legs to handle different sets of controls to operate tools, equipment, and vehicles. Due to the nature of some duties, the incumbent is required to work in awkward positions, on ladders and scaffolds, and will handle objects weighing up to 50 pounds.


Working Conditions: Duties at the Ridge telescopes and on other areas of the mountain are recurring.  The environment can be extreme, and range from dry heat to bitter cold.  Travel to the Ridge or higher over a mountain road an be hazardous, and involve exposure to snow and rain, lightning, and flash floods.

Qualifications

Your overall experience and training must indicate that you have the minimum knowledge, skills, abilities needed to perform the duties of this position. Specialized Experience includes: performing 2-4 of the following trades carpentry, painting, electrical, and plumbing, welding and roofing; ability to perform trades under minimal supervision; ability and skill in operating two- and four-wheel drive passenger cars, trucks, forklifts, front-end loaders, backhoes, cranes, man lifts, etc. on unpaved, steep, mountainous roads, and experience using most hand and power tools associated with the trades. 


There is no substitution of education for experience for 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.

Additional information

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 for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications below.

Applications will first be evaluated to determine whether the following screen out element is met:

  • Ability to perform the work of a maintenance worker with minimal supervision (screen-out).

If an applicant meets the screen-out element, the following Competencies will be evaluated:

  • Broad knowledge of multiple trades, including carpentry, plumbing, painting, electrical repair, and general maintenance
  • Broad knowledge of multiple trades, including carpentry, plumbing, painting, electrical repair, and general maintenance
  • Ability to troubleshoot issues across several systems and determine appropriate repair methods
  • Knowledge of building codes, safety regulations, and proper material selection
  • Ability to interpret work orders, blueprints, sketches, and manufacturer instructions

Applicants who meet or exceed the screen-out element will be assigned to one of three category groups based on job-related criteria:

Best Category - Meets the screen-out element and excels in most of the job related elements above.

Better Category - Meets the screen-out element and satisfies most of the job related elements above.

Good Category - Meets the screen-out element, but does not satisfy most of the job related elements 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-veterans within each category.  A selecting official may make selections from the highest quality category (Best Category) provided no veteran in that category is passed over to select a non-veteran in that category unless the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 3317(b) or 3318(b) are satisfied.

Veterans 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 announcement 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 sufficient information regarding how your education and experience relate to this position, including the major duties and qualifications criteria listed.


You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Smithsonian Institution

The Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory (FLWO) is the largest field installation of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) outside Cambridge, MA. Since October 1968, the FLWO has been used as the site for experiments requiring extremely dark skies, dry climate, and good "optical seeing."

Agency contact information

Stephanie Javier
Phone
617-495-7074
Email
stephanie.javier@cfa.harvard.edu
Address
SMITHSONIAN
Human Resources
160 Concord Ave
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
United States

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