Facility Operations Specialist

Duties

The facilities operations specialist position reports directly to the Head of the Facilities Operations Section.

Conducts research and analysis of buildings and grounds to locate and solve potential or unusual problems, including analyzing deficiencies created by day-to-day usage that impacts current and future facility and customer requirements. As required, independently modifies or establishes new monitoring procedures used in the course of Facilities Services preventive maintenance duties. Assess needed repairs, construction, or rehabilitation projects.

Works collaboratively with Health Services and Safety Services, as required, to determine solutions to safety and health issues and problems that are a result of rapidly changing environmental conditions. Works collaboratively with the managers Space Utilization, Planning & Design (SUPD) and Public Program Services, and the central Library points of contact, as required, to resolve customer related facility issues.

Establishes checkpoints to be used in an overall evaluation of the building operations. Evaluates and considered in concert with the Architect of the Capitol (AOC), GSA or other responsible agency(s) a variety of factors in planning facilities maintenance operations, including the structural soundness of buildings, deciding between preventive maintenance and major maintenance, and the selection of procedures.

Adapts or modifies procedures or processes for unusual or new maintenance related deficiencies and repair projects following related techniques or benchmarks. Uses automated systems including Computer Aided Facility Management (CAFM), Computer Aided Design (CAD), and automated requests for service to manage a robust inspection and building maintenance program to effectively identify, report, track and resolve building deficiencies. Collaborates with the responsible agency, in developing an effective budget forecasting strategy to request required resources through appropriate channels, if resources are not available to resolve discrepancies.

Uses automated tools to analyze trends relating to building deficiencies, catalog data, develop technical and/or non-technical reports to communicate findings, and provide data to the appropriate agency within or outside the Library as a tool to facilitate resolution of the deficiencies/problems. Once the method of resolution is approved at the appropriate management level, leads the effort to resolve the identified deficiency/problem. Maintains sole responsibility for the oversight of facility related contract and support requirements as assigned, which may include some of the following: food and vending services, pest control, window washing, custodial services, etc.

May be assigned to serve as the Library's Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR) and liaison with the contractor(s) who provide services within AOC-owned spaces or for non-AOC, GSA, DOD or commercial leasehold properties.

Develops complex Statement(s) of Work based on facility and customer support requirements. Works collaboratively with the ISS contracting administrator and the Library's contracting officer to issue contracts as required. Analyzes and assesses contractor effectiveness for long-term, extensive technical service contracts and/or cost type contracts, including monitoring the status of contract performance and approval of progress payments, reviewing and providing recommendations on contractor proposals resulting from change orders, scheduling, problems that arise and proposed solutions, verification of deliveries, and similar activities. Maintains sole responsibility for the oversight of all facility related contract and support requirements as assigned, which may include some of the following: storage, food vending, hazmat, contract labor, carpet installation and repair, rent, furniture installation, etc. Aids in the evaluation of contractor studies and provides technical assistance for the design, development, integration, and evaluation of various systems for an assigned project. Provides technical assistance to contractors, independently determining approaches and solutions to solve complex issues or problems, such as determining facilities deficiencies and preparing packages for unusual or new construction and repair.

This position requires some lifting and carrying of heavy objects and frequent carrying of light items such as paper, books, small parts; driving an automobile or warehousing equipment, etc. There is also a limited amount of repetitive motion. After an offer of employment has been made and before commencement of the duties, the selectee MUST be physically qualified by the Library's Health Services Division. A physical examination is required every two years to perform the work.

This position requires a valid driver's license.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Library of Congress employees are prohibited from using illegal drugs, including marijuana. The Library is part of the Federal Government and abides by federal law, so regardless of individual state or District of Columbia laws, marijuana use is illegal, considered criminal activity, and can affect your employment at the Library. In addition, past or current drug use and activities (e.g., selling or distributing) may deem you ineligible for employment.

Qualifications

Applicants must have had progressively responsible experience and training sufficient in scope and quality to furnish them with an acceptable level of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position without more than normal supervision.

Knowledge of laws, regulations, policies, and procedures applicable to facilities operations and maintenance.**
Ability to monitor contract performance.**
Ability to administer custodial program activities.**
Ability to use innovative thinking and analytical methods to evaluate facility requirements.
Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships in overall facilities management.
Ability to communicate in writing.
Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.

This position requires some lifting and carrying of heavy objects and frequent carrying of light items such as paper, books, small parts; driving an automobile or warehousing equipment, etc. There is also a limited amount of repetitive motion. After an offer of employment has been made and before commencement of the duties, the selectee MUST be physically qualified by the Library's Health Services Division. A physical examination is required every two years to perform the work.

This position requires a valid driver's license. Failure to submit a legible copy of your driver's license at the time of application will result in disqualification of your application.

Education

A. Education:
Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- engineering, industrial arts, property management, or business administration.

or

B. Specialized Experience (for positions above GS-5): Examples of qualifying specialized experience include:

Managing a maintenance program for office or apartment building complexes, hospitals, recreation facilities, military, or other special-purpose installations, including planning maintenance activities, and developing preventive maintenance programs.

Conducting surveillance activities over construction and maintenance operations performed by a variety of private contractors, including reviewing project plans and specifications for workability, informing contractors of construction and reporting requirements, and supervising operations for conformance with project plans.

Performing maintenance or construction work, including estimating material and labor costs for a variety of construction or maintenance projects (such as construction or maintenance of brick, frame, structural steel, reinforced concrete, and other type structures ranging from one- or two-story buildings to larger structures), directing actual work operations, and maintaining appropriate contacts with the organization funding the project.

You must submit a legible copy of your college/university transcripts to your online application. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at the time of application. Official transcripts will be required if selected. Failure to submit the required legible documentation at the time of application will result in disqualification of your application.

Foreign Education - Education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed equivalent to conventional/accredited U.S. education programs to be acceptable for Federal employment. If your college/university is outside the U.S., your transcripts must be accompanied by a report from a credential evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credentials Evaluators (AICE) . Failure to submit a foreign education evaluation report will result in disqualification of your application.

Additional information

Although it is the Library's policy to afford the maximum pay benefit to employees when setting rates of pay, a new appointee who has had no previous Federal service will generally be paid at step one of the grade.

The Library of Congress is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, and persons with disabilities who meet eligibility requirements are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applicants must submit a complete application package that is received by the closing date of this announcement.

Appointment/retention is subject to a favorable evaluation of an appropriate personnel security/suitability investigation. For more information, please see: Vetting Process

This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please email ADA@loc.gov. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Applicants with disabilities may be considered under special hiring procedures and must submit an appropriate certificate of eligibility when applying for this position. The proof or disability/certification may be issued by the State Vocational Rehabilitation Office, Disability Services or Career Services office of the applicant's college or university, or the Department of Veterans Affairs. The letter must verify that the applicant has a severe disability and must be dated within three years of the date of the application. Certification from health care providers are not accepted. For more information contact the Library's Office of EEO/Diversity Programs at 202-707-6024 or email spp@loc.gov. FAILURE TO SUBMIT YOUR CERTIFICATION WILL CAUSE YOUR APPLICATION TO NOT BE CONSIDERED UNDER THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT PROGRAM.

The Library of Congress is the national library of the United States and is part of the Legislative Branch of the Federal government. As such, all positions are in the excepted service.

The Library reserves the right to fill a lesser or greater number of vacancies indicated during the life of this vacancy announcement.

Initial permanent appointments to the Library of Congress require completion of a one-year probationary period. Probationary periods served at other Federal agencies do not count toward this requirement.

The Library of Congress may offer repayment for all or part of federally insured student loans. However, not all service units within the Library of Congress participates in the repayment of federally insured student loans. Therefore, determination to repay a federally insured student loan is subject to approval by the appropriate service unit.

A "Not to Exceed" (NTE) status is used to identify an appointment with a specific ending date. However, the Library has the right to separate a NTE employee at any time due to either performance issues or budget constraints.

Are you a veteran? Please indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming in your application materials and/or applicant profile and provide the appropriate supporting documentation to validate your claim. Those applying for 5-point preference must submit Member Copy 4 of your DD 214. Those applying for 10-point preference must fill out an SF-15 (click here for the form) and provide the required documentation listed on the back of the form. If required supporting documentation is not attached, Veterans' Preference will not be considered in the application process.