Utility System Repairer-Operator

Summary This position is located in Blue Ridge Parkway, in the Maintenance and Engineering Division. Career/Career-Conditional Full-time appointment. A selectee receiving a first appointment to the Federal Government (Civil Service) is entitled only to the lowest step of the grade for which selected. The display of a salary range on this vacancy shall not be construed as granting an entitlement to a higher rate of pay. Duties The position is a Utility System Repairer-Operator (USRO) for the Blue Ridge Parkway, with vacancies in the Montebello Sub-District (Montebello, VA/Big Island, VA), Peaks of Otter Sub-District (Bedford, VA) and Sandy Flat Sub-District (Blowing Rock, NC). The primary purpose of this position is to install, maintain, test, troubleshoot, repair, and calibrate potable water and wastewater utility systems that require intermediate to journey level skills. Area/Duty Station Information The Blue Ridge Parkway extends 469 miles along the crest of the southern Appalachian Mountains through North Carolina and Virginia between two eastern national parks - Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountains. For more park information, log on to: http://www.nps.gov/blri. Montebello, Virginia - The duty station is located on the Blue Ridge Parkway at the Montebello Maintenance Area, which boarders three counties in Virginia: Augusta, Rockbridge and Nelson. The duty station is located approximately 25 miles from Lexington, VA and 30 miles from Waynesboro, VA. All goods and services are available in Lexington, Waynesboro and the surrounding communities. Big Island, Virginia - The duty station is located on the Blue Ridge Parkway at the James River Maintenance Area, which is located in Bedford, Virginia, approximately 20 miles from Lynchburg, Virginia. Bedford boasts the Blue Ridge Mountains to the north, Smith Mountain Lake to the south, Lynchburg to the east, and Roanoke to the west. Bedford, Virginia - The duty station is located on the Blue Ridge Parkway at the Peaks of Otter Maintenance Area, which is located in Bedford, Virginia. Bedford boasts the Blue Ridge Mountains to the north, Smith Mountain Lake to the south, Lynchburg to the east, and Roanoke to the west. Blowing Rock, North Carolina - Blowing Rock and nearby Boone, North Carolina (Watauga County) are small to medium sized mountain towns with schools, stores, doctors, and the Appalachian State University available locally. Watauga County is regarded as a premier regional tourist destination and attracts visitors and seasonal residents from all over the Southeast. Many outdoor recreational opportunities are available locally including, hiking, rafting, and fishing, as well as three ski resorts. Adequate housing is available in the commuting area, at varying prices. Requirements Conditions of employment U.S. Citizenship required. Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication. Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program. You will be required to submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test result prior to appointment. In addition, this position is subject to random testing for illegal drug use. You will be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties; a valid driver's license is required. You will be required to submit a Motor Vehicle Operator's License and Driving Record. You must also submit (within a State sealed envelope or submitted directly by the State authorities), and at your own expense, all certified driving records from all States that disclose all valid driver's licenses, whether current or past, possessed by you. You must obtain and maintain a Class B Commercial Driver's License within 12 months of appointment. You must obtain and maintain a current NPS Working Sawyer certification within 12 months of appointment. You must obtain and maintain a State Water Operator License within 12 months of appointment. You may be required to complete training and operate a four-wheel drive vehicle. You will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided. You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work. You may be required to travel overnight away from home. You must obtain a government charge card for travel purposes. Government Charge Card: You may be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority. You must possess the ability to lift 50 pounds. *Additional Requirements located under qualifications* Qualifications Requirements Continued... Applicants must be at least (1) 18 years old or (2) at least 16 years old and: (a) Have graduated from high school or been awarded a certificate equivalent to graduating from high school; or (b) Have completed a formal vocational training program; or (c) Have received a statement from school authorities agreeing with their preference for employment rather than continuing their education; or (d) Be currently enrolled in a secondary school and either work only during school vacation periods or work part-time during the school year under a formal student employment program. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period, during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated. This probationary period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications To qualify for this position, you must have sufficient knowledge and ability in the following job-related factors: Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision (SCREEN OUT) Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation Repair, etc. Technical Practices (theoretical precise, artistic) Ability To Interpret Instructions, Specification, etc. (includes blueprints reading) Ability To Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment Knowledge of materials If your knowledge and ability in the SCREEN OUT factor above is not sufficient, you will receive no further consideration. In preparing your application, describe in detail the experience and training which you have had that specifically prepared you for this job and to perform the duties described for this job. Experience should be clearly described and documented in your resume. The qualifications reviewer will not assume performance of such duties by Job Titles alone. Address your knowledge, skills and/or abilities in the areas shown in the job-related factors. Volunteer Experience: 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. Education There is no substitution of education for experience for Wage Grade (WG) positions. Additional information This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate. Physical Demands: Work assignments typically require moderately heavy physical effort to lift, carry, or otherwise handle items typically weighing up to 40 pounds. Duties require the incumbent to maneuver into and out of specific locations while dismantling and assembling utility related equipment. The incumbent makes repairs and installations from ladders, scaffolding, and platforms where the parts of systems worked on are in hard-toreach places. Frequent standing, walking, bending, crouching, reaching, and stooping is typical. Occasionally, climbing and work in high places may be required, as well as the use of hoists, holders, and pulleys when handling large equipment. Working Conditions: Work is both indoors and outdoors where the incumbent may be subject to prevailing weather conditions. The incumbent may be exposed to biological hazards or diseases while cleaning equipment or shoveling sludge, and hazardous gases such as methane, chlorine, hydrogen sulfide, and carbon monoxide. The incumbent may also be subject to electrical shock, loud noises, acids, and hydraulic fluids while working around motors and pumps. There is exposure to shock, burns, and strains. The incumbent follows prescribed safety practices and uses safety equipment such as face shields, gloves, hard-toe shoes, respirators, and protective clothing that may be uncomfortable to wear. The incumbent is required to attend and participate in safety meetings and training and review and follow safety regulations and policies prior to using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as goggles, rubber mats, gloves, hard hats and respirators as the jobs require. The incumbent may be required to operate motor vehicles and heavy engineering equipment. 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. Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.