Maintenance Mechanic (Plumbing)

This position is located in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Southeast Area (SEA), US National Poultry Research Center, Location Support Staff in Atlanta, Georgia.

About the Role

Agricultural Research Service is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief scientific in-house research agency. Our job is finding solutions to agricultural problems that affect Americans every day from field to table.

Responsibilities

• Perform repairs and installations on benches, supports, ladders, scaffolding, roofs, catwalks, modules, manholes, ditches, fixtures, and piping.
• Conduct welding tasks, including holding welding torch and rod suspended for intermittent periods and welding in awkward positions.
• Maintain and repair plumbing systems, including tanks, sewers, and plumbing fixtures.
• Work with hazardous chemicals, adhering to safety protocols for use, storage, and disposal.
• Wear and maintain personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks, respirators, eye and ear protection, gloves, coveralls, and safety shoes.
• Attend safety training for the proper handling of hazardous materials and biological/chemical hazards.
• Monitor and comply with health and safety protocols, including periodic biologic/serologic tests and physical examinations.
• Adhere to restrictions on facial hair and contact with birds/livestock outside the laboratory when working in high-security animal facilities.
• Work during emergencies, inclement weather, weekends, nights, holidays, and after hours to support mission requirements, scheduled outages, and normal operations.

Requirements

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, you must demonstrate through experience and training that you possess the knowledge and skill necessary to perform the duties of this position. Qualifications emphasize the quality of experience, not necessarily the length.

• Ability to perform the duties of a Maintenance Mechanic (Plumbing) without more than normal supervision (Screen Out Element). Applicants who do not meet this requirement will not be given further consideration.
• Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, community, student, social).

Physical Effort

• Continuous standing, stooping, bending, limbing, kneeling, and working in stretched, cramped, or awkward positions.
• Frequent lifting, carrying, and setting up parts and equipment weighing 40-50 pounds or more using weight-bearing support.
• Prolonged use of PPE, which may lead to labored respiration, heat stress, dehydration, decreased vision, hampered communication, and limited mobility/dexterity.

Working Conditions

• Work performed both indoors and outdoors, including in bad weather, noisy, dirty, dusty, and greasy environments, and in close quarters.
• Exposure to fumes from welding, soldering, sparks, gases, toxic fumes, cuts, bruises, noise vibrations, burns, dust, and danger from flying chips when using powered and hand tools.
• Risk of falls when working on ladders and scaffolds.
• Clothing changes and showers may be required before reporting to duty in accordance with safety protocols.
• Mandatory use of safety equipment such as coveralls, ear plugs, safety glasses, hard hats, gloves, and safety shoes.

Schedule

• This is an essential position that must report during times of emergency or inclement weather.
• Required to work weekends, nights, days, evenings, holidays, and/or after hours for shift work, emergencies, critical periods, or when the government is closed due to inclement weather.