Maintenance Mechanic Leader
What you'd do
This position is located in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Plains Area (PA), National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) in Manhattan, KS. In this position, the incumbent will serve as a working leader who assigns work and directs and performs a range of maintenance mechanic, plumbing, and welding work.
Major duties
Serves as a working leader who assigns work, provides technical guidance, demonstrates proper work methods, ensures safety rules are followed; and directs and performs a range of maintenance mechanic, plumbing and welding work. Performs plumbing systems repair and maintenance work on plumbing systems that are in biocontainment environments. Constructs, installs, repairs, alters, and tests high pressure piping systems and equipment (i.e., gas, water, steam, air and drainage) constructed of steel, cast iron, transite, copper, brass, and plastic materials. Directs the maintenance and repair work of complex equipment and plumbing systems in a manner that does not compromise biocontainment. Carefully coordinates with the scientific program staff, other maintenance personnel and the bio-risk manager to prevent unintended adverse events. Uses testing equipment to determine proper operation of steam traps, pumps, and equipment. Selects materials and parts to be used and may contact vendors for technical performance and troubleshooting information as well as availability of parts and supplies.
What you need to qualify
In order to qualify for this position you must meet the following by the closing date of the vacancy announcement:07/09/2026 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, Maintenance Mechanic Leaderwithout more than normal supervision (Screen Out)). Applicants who do not meet the SCREEN OUT ELEMENT will not be given further consideration. Physical Efforts Work is performed on benches, supports, ladders, scaffolds, roof, on catwalks, in modules, manholes, ditches, around fixtures and piping which requires continuous standing, stooping, bending, climbing, working overhead in stretched, cramped and awkward positions, and holding welding torch and rod suspended for short intermittent periods of time; involves arm strain when required to weld in awkward positions. May lift and carry items up to 40 lb. and occasionally lift items weighing 75 lb. or more. Working Conditions Subject to fumes from welding, soldering and sparks, gases, and toxic fumes; injury and continuous exposure to hazards of cuts, bruises, noise, vibrations, burns dust, dirt and danger from flying chips when using powered and hand tools; and falls when working on ladders and scaffolds. Performs work both indoors and outdoors under all weather conditions. Clothing changes are provided by NBAF while at duty station. May be required to shower prior to reporting to duty station in accordance with entrance/exit safety protocols for specific areas of the NBAF laboratories. May be required to wear a full-face respirator when working in biological control areas. Restrictions of facial hair may be imposed for proper use of personal protective equipment. Other Considerations Motor Vehicle or Commercial Driver's license required. Drug Test Required. Special Physical Requirements/Demands. Tier 3 clearance required for positions working with BSL-3 (or higher) agents, or in BSL3/BSL-4 facilities. Select Agent. Asbestos Certification. State of Kansas Backflow Prevention Certification. May be called in nights and weekends to make or assist in emergency repairs. Ability to obtain and maintain State of Kansas Backflow Prevention certification required. To comply with USDA personnel security requirements and requirements of the Federal Select Agent Program (FSAP) for access to areas with Biological Select Agents and Toxins (BSAT), including Tier One Select Agents at NBAF, the incumbent must meet the following: Pre-employment and random testing of substances of abuse; Participation in and adherence to the facility's Occupation Health Program; Participation in and adherence to the facility's Personal Reliability Program; The ability to obtain/maintain favorably adjudicated Background Investigations or Security clearances (required by USDA); The ability to obtain/maintain a favorable Security Risk Assessment (required by FSAP) The mission of NBAF includes research, diagnosis and training for animal diseases foreign to the U.S. for the purpose of protecting American agriculture and domestic food sources from their potentially devastating effects. NBAF is vital to successfully protecting U.S. agriculture from the intentional or non-intentional introduction of foreign animal diseases such as Foot-and-Mouth disease. The position will support the operations and maintenance of biocontainment facilities and may require entry into biosafety level (BSL) 3, 3 enhanced and, 3Ag environments. The incumbent must demonstrate the physical and psychological capability to conduct normal duties that are appropriate to their position. To prevent the transmission of disease out of biocontainment and retention of the position, the incumbent must meet the following medical standards in a pre-employment medical examination conducted after the receipt of a preliminary job offer and on a periodic basis: Ability to shower out of biocontainment one or more times per day; Not have any skin condition which would prevent this; Body piercings must be able to be removed prior to entry; External medical assist devices must have the ability to be removed prior to entering or not impede the ability to enter biocontainment, and the individual must still be able to shower out safely without assistance. Ability to follow instructions regarding decontamination from biocontainment. Any medical condition which could create an unsafe environment for the individual or his/her co-workers, such as: insufficient control of a medical disorder which could result in sudden loss of consciousness; and inadequate vision and hearing required for safety in a laboratory environment. Medical confidentiality will be maintained by the examining physician and only fitness (or unfit) for duty determination will be indicated. The incumbent will also be required to pass periodic fitness for duty physicals. In addition, medical clearance will be required in the event that it becomes necessary to enter an area where an air purifying respirator or other respiratory protection is required. A baseline blood sample may be required for employees entering and working in the biocontainment facilities. For the health and safety of the incumbent and to prevent the spread of disease, immunization against diseases being studied at NBAF which are transmissible to humans may be required where the vaccine has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for safety and effectiveness under the provision of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, as amended 21 USC 321-392. Where the vaccine has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for investigational purposes, the incumbent will be advised that such immunization is voluntary. Due to the contagious nature to livestock of Foot-and-Mouth disease, and other diseases under study at NBAF, Biological Safety Regulations specify a personal quarantine for employees working in BSL-3, 3 enhanced, 3 Ag and 4 biocontainment. As a condition for employment, all personnel entering the BSL-3 or higher biocontainment facilities at NBAF shall not be in contact with specific susceptible animals and their premises away from NBAF for a period of five (5) days after leaving biocontainment. Currently, restricted species are cattle, sheep, goats, deer, other ruminants, and swine. Contact with horses, birds (agricultural and pet birds) and rabbits are normally permitted, but restrictions may be placed on staff working with or near contagious agents affecting these species. Restricted livestock or other restricted animals may not be housed on the premises where the employee lives and where quarantine cannot be enforced. Employees who violate this requirement may be removed from employment or subject to other disciplinary actions.
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