Duties

Summary

This position is located in National Oceanic Atmosphere Administration (NOAA), National Environment Satellite, Data and Information Services (NESDIS), Office of Satellite Product Operations, Wallops Command and Data Acquisition Station, Support Branch, with three vacancies in Wallops Island, VA.

This position is also announced under vacancy number #NSDIS-OSPO-2021-0042.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

As an Engineering Technician, you will perform the following duties:

• Maintains and repairs heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC), diesel driven generators, electrical switchgear, transformers, UPS systems, electrical and mechanical components of antenna tracking system and fire alarm systems.

• Prepares architectural layouts, plans and drawings, designs, specifications and cost estimates for new construction, retrofitting, and replacement of existing electrical power systems, HVAC, and other infrastructure.

• Reviews and evaluates proposals, project plans, specifications, drawings, laboratory analyses, and technical data submitted by contractors.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - Up to 1% of domestic travel may be required for this position.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
09

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

The duties require the incumbent to climb antenna structures 50 feet or greater in height. Operates bucket trucks to facilitate work accomplished from the ground level to 100 feet. Incumbent must also install and maintain equipment and cabling on towers/antennas, rooftops, in cramped spaces that sometimes includes energized electrical equipment, manholes and/or pump pits. Performs duties in all weather conditions including severe weather. "High" work is performed in hard to reach areas without the benefit of ladders or safety enclosures - the incumbent must utilize a safety belt for fall protection. Must bend, stretch and work in tiring and uncomfortable positions. Must be able to lift up to and over 50 pounds. Works with high voltage systems and components and maintains and repairs UPS backup systems.

The work environment involves high risk with exposure to potentially dangerous situations or unusual environmental stress that requires a range of personal safety equipment and other precautions, i.e., great heights under extreme outdoor weather conditions; working with and in proximity of high voltage systems; and working in closure proximity to massive sections of moving structures. Incumbent must utilize personal safety equipment such as hard hats, fall protection harnesses, HV gloves & other electrical PPE when appropriate.

Qualifications

Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards. This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website located at: https://www.opm.gov/policy .

Applicant must meet all application requirement to include a complete online resume, by 11:59 p.m Eastern time (ET) 0n then closing date of this announcement.

EDUCATION: There is no positive education requirement for this position.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This experience need not have been in the federal government.

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.

To qualify at the GS-09:

One full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-08 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following:

• Providing technical support for the engineering, electronics, and mechanical functions at a data processing facility which includes installing, maintaining and repairing facilities equipment on a routine and emergency basis;
• Maintaining, repairing, and installing heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC), and HVAC controls;
• Maintaining and repairing electrical wiring, distribution panels, and emergency generator systems.
• Skill in independently applying engineering technician skills and quality assurance techniques to monitor contractor performance.

Education

Substitution of education is not applicable to this vacancy.

Additional information

CTAP and ICTAP candidates will be eligible if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position by attaining at least a rating of 85 out of 100. Information about CTAP and ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management's Career Transition Resources website at: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/ .

CTAP applicants MUST submit the following documents:

A copy of your specific RIF notice; notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate; a Certificate of Expected Separation (CES); or certification that you are in a surplus organization or occupation (this could be a position abolishment letter, a notice eligibility for discontinued service retirement, or similar notice).

A copy of your SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action", noting current position, grade level, and duty location;

A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and

Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential.

ICTAP applicants MUST submit the following documents:

A copy of your RIF separation notice; notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate; notice of disability annuity termination; certification from your former agency that it cannot place you after your recovery from a compensable injury; or certification from the National Guard Bureau or Military Department that you are eligible for disability retirement;

A copy of your SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action" documenting your RIF separation, noting your positions, grade level, and duty location, and/or Agency certification of inability to place you through RPL, etc;

A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and

Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential.

NOAA participates in e-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that enables participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

We will review your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documentation to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the position. If you meet the minimum qualifications stated in the vacancy announcement, we will compare your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documentation to your responses on the scored occupational questionnaire (True/False, Yes/No, Multiple Choice questions). However, your resume or optional cover letter must support your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire, or your score may be lowered. The best-qualified candidates will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be invited for an interview.
The scored occupational questionnaire will evaluate you on the following competencies; please do not provide a separate written response:

• Skill in the electrical, mechanical, HVAC and related trades to independently repair all types of equipment.
• Skill in the use of electrical troubleshooting equipment, hand and power tools, and specialized tools.
• Knowledge of engineering and architectural technician practices such as drafting, electrical load calculation, heat load calculation, cost estimating, project planning and site survey techniques.
• Skill in independently applying engineering technician skills and quality assurance techniques to engineering technician skills and quality assurance techniques to
  monitor.,

Due weight shall be given to performance appraisals and awards in accordance with 5 CFR 335.103(b)(3), during the interview/selection process conducted by the hiring manager. If referred, all relevant documents including performance appraisals and awards submitted with your application package will be forwarded to the hiring official for review.

To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
L Access Authorization

Drug test required
No

Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Trust determination process
National security

Required Documents

• Resume showing relevant experience; cover letter optional. Your resume must indicate your citizenship and if you are registered for Selective Service if you are a male born after 12/31/59. Your resume must include information about your paid and nonpaid work experience related to this position including: job title, duration of employment (mm/dd/yy - mm/dd/yy), hours per week, duties and accomplishments, salary, and your education. For work in the Federal service, please include the grade level for the position/s. Your resume may be used to validate your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire.
• SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action: If you are a current or former Federal employee, you must provide the most current Notification of Personnel Action (Form SF-50) that verifies career/career-conditional status, title, series and grade (do not submit an Award SF-50). Also provide the SF-50 that reflects the highest grade level held on a permanent basis or the full performance level of your current position, whichever is higher. Failure to do so will result in an ineligible rating.
• Veteran's documentation: If you are requesting consideration under Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) or Veterans Readjustment Act (VRA) you must submit a copy of your Member 4 DD-214 stating disposition of discharge or character of service or other valid proof of eligibility (i.e., statement of service that shows service dates AND character of service) and/or any other required supporting documents (VA Letter). http://www.opm.gov/staffingPortal/Vetguide.asp#VeteransEmploymentAct1998 .
• Active Duty Service Members: You must submit a statement of discharge/certification of release or an official written document from the armed forces that certifies you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions no later than 120 days from the date the announcement closes. Enlisted Record Briefs and military identification do NOT qualify as official documentation. If the appropriate information is not submitted to confirm the discharge status, dates of service, etc., you will not be considered for this job opportunity under Veteran Preference procedures. To gain access to your DD-214 online please visit http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records
• Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) documentation if applicable (see other information).
• Documentation supporting eligibility for non-competitive appointment, (severely disabled, eligible veterans, certain military spouses, etc.)
• Education. If this position requires proof of higher education, you must submit an unofficial transcript or a list of courses that includes the following information: name of accredited institution, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned. Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. A listing of these accredited organizations can be found on the Department of Education's website. You MUST provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course by course listing along with your application. Failure to provide such documentation by the closing date of the announcement will result in lost consideration.

OPTIONAL DOCUMENTS:

• Due weight shall be given to performance appraisals and awards in accordance with 5 CFR 335.103(b)(3), during the interview/selection process conducted by the hiring manager.
  
  
  • Performance Appraisal - Submit the most recent performance appraisal (dated within the last 3 years) showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor. Do not submit a performance plan that does not include this information.
  • Awards - Copies of any award received within the last 3 years.
• Applicants may submit these documents during the application process.