Utility Systems Repairer-Operator (USRO)

Duties

• Must be able to do the work of the position without more than normal supervision.
• Work encompasses numerous HVAC systems such as boiler and chiller equipment, high- and low-pressure steam systems, water treatment systems and auxiliaries; maintains emergency fire pumps for the sprinkler systems.
• Receives assignments from Information Work Management Systems (IWMS), supervisor or work leader; responds to building emergencies.
• Installs, maintains and repairs systems used to condition large office buildings and complexes with areas that have special requirements such as communication centers, electronic data processing centers and areas with sensitive equipment.
• Recognizes faulty equipment and makes repairs on large systems that provide a variety of air conditioning functions such as heating, cooling, humidifying, dehumidifying, cleaning, filtering and circulating.
• Works on cooling towers, dry coolers, chillers, variable refrigerate flow systems, exhaust fans/hoods, walk-in coolers, air compressors, unfired pressure vessels, heat exchangers, condensate returns, feed water systems and various mechanical systems.
• Checks temperature sensing points in buildings, adjusts and resets temperature controls, starts, stops and regulates air-handling equipment; dismantles, cleans and assembles existing air conditioning and refrigeration equipment as needed.
• Ensures HVAC equipment meets current American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and National Electrical Code (NEC) standards.
• Performs refrigeration and AC work in compliance with Stratospheric Ozone Protection, Section 608 of the Clean Air Act. Uses manual and automatic control systems to monitor, start, stop, adjust, operate and maintain boiler and chiller operations
• Logs gauge readings, tests and treats water in cooling towers to maintain proper chemical levels, records water condition test results, maintains chemical usage and graph records, performs maintenance and replaces parts.
• Uses standard chemical tests to test feedwater, boiler water and condensate. Regulates water levels, steam pressure and temperatures.
• Determines treatment and chemicals to control chemical concentrations, remove impurities, stabilize fluctuating water conditions and maintain proper chemical levels. Replenishes chemical feed tanks and monitors feed water conditioning equipment.
• Checks flame for color. Checks feed water regulators, flowmeters, flue gas temperature, gauges, stack emissions, water level indicators, control valves and safety equipment to ensure boilers are operating within prescribed limits.
• Performs maintenance and repairs such as greases and oils moving parts of machinery; adjusts packing glands; repacks and replaces valves; replaces gauges, gauge glass and pumps; and cleans and paints equipment and pipes as necessary.
• Performs equipment overhaul and preparation of boilers and chillers for inspection. Operates, monitors and makes necessary adjustments to the boiler plant Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System (SCADA).
• Operates, monitors and makes necessary adjustments to the Building Automation System (BAS). Performs various repairs on electrical components and devices.
• Removes, replaces, tightens, splices, solders and insulates defective wiring, controls, equipment and fixtures (such as broken wiring, bare wiring, burned out switches and relays, loose connections and fittings, and poorly operating thermostats).
• Troubleshoots and locates broken, worn and damaged wiring, controls and equipment through visual checks or by using test equipment (such as voltage testers, ammeters and polarity testers).
• Uses various machines, hand tools and power tools; follows safety practices, rules, regulations and procedures to maintain a safe and clean work environment.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• U.S. Citizenship required; Selective Service Registration: If you are a male born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt under the Selective Service Law. See www.sss.gov
• Fingerprinting and background and/or security investigation may be required. Job offers are contingent on fingerprinting and background / security investigation results.
• Federal employees must be in good standing. Federal employees must have a successful performance rating. Official Personnel Folders will not be reviewed.
• Selectees may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period.
• All application materials must be received by the closing date. All application forms submitted become the property of SSA Human Resources. Requests for copies of application documents will not be accepted.
• This is an emergency/mission-critical position on a fixed 12-hour shift (6am ? 6pm or 6pm ? 6am) to provide service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; may be called to work after-hours, on weekends and holidays. (Specific days/nights to be determined.)
• This position is not eligible for telework or Alternate Work Schedule (AWS).
• Salary will be set in accordance with local pay provisions.
• This position involves specific physical efforts, working conditions, shift requirements and/or protective gear requirements as described under QUALIFICATIONS below.
• *Must be certified in Universal Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) and trained in proper refrigerant usage and reclamation processes.

Qualifications

To qualify for this WG-11 USRO position your resume must describe duties you perform that demonstrate:
A. the Screen Out AND
B. the six individual Job Elements

ADDITIONALLY, you must be certified in Universal Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) and trained in proper refrigerant usage and reclamation processes.

A. SCREEN OUT: Ability To Do USRO Work Without More Than Normal Supervision

REQUIREMENT: USROs in this position perform various tasks in connection with maintenance, fabrication, installation, repair, troubleshooting, operation and modification of new and existing HVAC systems across large multi-floor agency facilities without more than normal supervision.

You must have a fundamental understanding of the USRO trade based on the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

(1) knowledge of HVAC systems;
(2) skill in applying accepted trade practices and techniques;
(3) ability to interpret and apply USRO instructions; and
(4) knowledge of USRO equipment and materials

B.Additionally your resume must describe duties you perform without more than normal supervision (e.g., with only regular spot-checks or guidance during progress and upon completion) that pertain to the following JOB ELEMENTS

(1) Knowledge of Equipment
(2) Technical Practices
(3) Use of Measuring Instruments
(4) Ability to Interpret Instructions and Specifications
(5) Ability to Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
(6) Knowledge of Materials

Reviewers can only rate you on the information you provide; if duties you perform are missing or incomplete, you may be rated ineligible.

Do not simply list projects on which you work or describe your work in terms of general accomplishments or achievements.

Qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

CONDITIONS OF POSITION:

Due to the nature of USRO work, the following conditions are essential for successful performance in this position and selected candidates must fully comply with all of these conditions in order to meet performance requirements.

Successful performance of USRO work and adherence to these conditions will be assessed during the 1-year probationary period that may be served by new appointees.

(1) Employees must be certified in Universal Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) and trained in proper refrigerant usage and reclamation processes.

(2) This is an emergency/mission-critical position. USROs in this position will be assigned to a fixed 12-hour shift (6am - 6pm or 6pm - 6am) to provide service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and may be called to work after-hours, on weekends and holidays. (Specific days/nights to be determined.)

(3) Fixed Shifts are subject to change in order to meet agency needs.

(4) May be required to report to or remain at duty station to perform critical services when employees are generally excused for all or part of a workday in emergency conditions; may be required to report during irregular hours and travel in hazardous weather conditions.

(5) Employees in this position are on call 24-hours a day, 7-days a week year around.

(6) may be required to support other agency buildings to provide critical services to sustain the operational needs of agency buildings.

(7) Work is performed in a workshop and at job sites; may be assigned to work areas where certain potentially harmful physical and chemical agents are present.

(8) Inside job sites may be in cramped areas with low overhead room; outside work is performed in various weather conditions and may be on top of tall buildings or in areas where there's a risk of exposure to energized electric circuits, sharp metal edges, chemical fumes, dust, dirt, high noise-levels, extreme temperatures from steam and boiler rooms and changes in temperature while working on outside cooling towers, roof exhausts and ventilating fans.

(9) USROs are subject to cuts, bruises, contusions and burns when working on steam and hot water lines.

(10) The work requires frequent standing, stooping, stretching, bending, climbing, crouching, kneeling and arm movement.

(11) Heavy exertion and physical strength are required at frequent intervals to handle heavy and bulky materials; frequently carries and sets up parts and equipment that weigh up to 50 pounds, unassisted. Hoists, holders and pulleys are used when moving heavier objects such as large compressors, condensers and chillers.

(12) Makes repairs and installations from ladders, scaffolding, and platforms where the parts of systems worked on are frequently in hard-to-reach places and in confined spaces

(13) Makes repairs and installations from ladders, scaffolding and platforms where the parts of systems worked on are frequently in hard-to-reach places and in confined spaces.The work requires frequent standing, stooping, stretching, bending, climbing, crouching, kneeling and arm movement.

(14) USROs must follow mandated safety procedures and wear Personal Protective Equipment, including earplugs, safety glasses, steel-toed boots, gloves and any other gear required by supervisors. May be required to wear a respirator and may be required to shave to ensure a proper fit.

(15)Uncomfortable facemasks and protective clothing may be required when there is a possibility of exposure to toxic refrigerants and large amounts of escaping noxious gases when making emergency repairs.

(16) May be required to wear a uniform while working at the duty station.

Information on Federal Wage System Qualifications can be found at FWS Qualifications Guide .

Education

This position does not have an educational requirement, but you must be certified in Universal Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) and trained in proper refrigerant usage and reclamation processes.

A copy of your certification must be uploaded with your supporting documents.

If you completed any other trade-relevant training you want considered as part of your evaluation, include that training on your resume rather than uploading certificates you received.

Additional information

Additional selections may be made for this vacancy six months from the closing date of this announcement.

This is a bargaining unit position, represented by AFGE, to be filled under the provisions of the SSA/AFGE Merit Promotion Plan.

Selective Service: If you are a male born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt under the Selective Service Law. See www.sss.gov .

If you are a federal contractor, do not identify yourself as a federal employee.

OTHER NOTES:

Your resume must address the Screen Out and Job Elements required for this position -- see QUALIFICATIONS for information.

Position is on a 12-hour shift (6am - 6pm or 6pm - 6am) to provide service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is not eligible for telework or Alternate Work Schedules (AWS).

Position is not authorized to be filled virtually or through outstationing; selectees will be required to report to SSA-HQ in Woodlawn, Maryland; relocation expenses will not be paid.

Salary will be set in accordance with local pay provisions.

Must be certified in Universal Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) and trained in proper refrigerant usage and reclamation processes.

Location of position:
SSA-HQ / Woodlawn, Maryland
Office of Facilities and Logistics Management (OFLM)
Office of Buildings Management (OBM)
Division of Mechanical Maintenance (DMM)