Utility Systems Repairer Operator (USRO)

Summary This position is located in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Midwest Area (MWA), National Animal Disease Center (NADC) in Ames, Iowa. ***Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement*** Learn more about this agency Duties Operates, maintains, and repairs air compressors, fire pumps, domestic water booster water booster pumps, cooling towers, water softeners, and associated pumps, valves, and actuators. Monitors, operates, and repairs waste pre-treatment plants as required in accordance with the existing maintenance plan. Tests and analyzes boiler water, feed water, condensate, chilled water, heating water, and cooling water tower using standard chemical tests. Checks gauges for proper temperatures and air balances, plugged drain, malfunctioning freezers, control panels and analyzes readings to determine operational status and necessary adjustments. Requirements Conditions of employment You must be a US Citizen or US National. Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt. Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check. Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served. Refer to the Next Steps section for more information. Direct Deposit – Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/ Driver's License Required. Pre-Employment Physical Required. The ability to obtain/maintain a favorable adjudicated Tier 2 background investigation. The ability to obtain/maintain a favorable adjudication from a Security Risk Assessment (SRA) from the federal Select Agent Program. Qualifications In order to qualify for this position you must meet the following by the closing date of the vacancy announcement: 06/02/2026 Qualifications will be determined under the Job Element Rating System X-118C, Qualifications Standard Handbook. While a specific length of time and experience is not required for most Wage Grade positions, you must show through experience and training that you possess the best qualified level of knowledge and skill necessary to perform the duties of this position. Qualification requirements emphasize the quality of experience, not necessarily the length. The responses to the questionnaire and your resume should be in significant detail to provide the person rating your application with a good understanding of your ability to do the job, technical knowledge, work, and training experience, etc. (For example You must have the ability to perform the duties of a, Utility Systems Repairer Operator (USRO)without more than normal supervision (Screen Out)). Applicants who do not meet the SCREEN OUT ELEMENT will not be given further consideration. Physical Effort: Work requires close hand-and-eye coordination, active walking, prolonged periods of standing on concrete floors, climbing, bending, reaching and working in cramped positions or crowded areas. May be required to lift equipment or material weighing up to 75 lbs. Working Conditions: Duties are normally performed inside of heated buildings but may be required for short periods of time to work on equipment in or on roofs of outlying buildings in inclement weather. Works in areas where equipment is in continual operation, where noise levels are abnormal and prevail. May be subject to infection, mechanical injury, gas, cuts, bruises, fumes, dirt and grease, possible exposure to contagious diseases, pathogens, and other environmental hazards within the laboratory or various spaces. Must wear appropriate safety equipment and comply with appropriate laboratory protocols. Required to wear full face respirator when working in biological control areas; facial hair restrictions may be required in order to comply with proper operation of personal protective equipment. This is an essential position that must report during times of emergency or inclement weather; and will be required to work on weekends, nights, days, evenings, holidays, and/or after hours for shift work requirements and when necessary, during emergencies, critical periods, or during times when the government is closed due to inclement weather to cover for staffing needs to support mission requirements, contractor support, scheduled outages and normal operations. 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 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 This position does not have an education qualification requirement. Additional information Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. This position is being concurrently announced under Merit Promotion Announcement Number ARS-M26MWA-12962625-CLO. Current or former Federal employees or other eligible applicants may apply to both announcements to expand all possibilities of consideration since different referral criteria apply to each type of announcement. See the above announcement for more information. Recruitment or Relocation Incentive may be authorized. Final determination to pay an incentive will be made by the hiring official at time of job offer. If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed. Expand Hide  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. 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. 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.