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Maintenance Mechanic

Geological Survey · Department of the Interior · Chesterton, Indiana

Federal agencyWG-09
At a glance

A job with Geological Survey in Chesterton, Indiana. It pays $32.05$37.32 per hour (annualised at 2,087 hours) at grade WG-09. Applications close on Sep 18, 2026 — 2 days left.

Working pattern
On site
Who can apply
Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL), Open to the public
Clearance
Not Required

Main duties

  • This position is located within the Department of the Interior, US Geological Survey, Mid-continent Region, at the Lake Michigan Ecological Research Station in Chesterton, Indiana.
  • The WG-09 salary range for Chesterton, Indiana is Per $32.05 (Step 01) to $37.32 (Step 05) per hour.
  • First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired at the Step 01.
  • Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following: Troubleshoot and resolve building operations issues.
The original posting

Full details

About the role

This is a Term position (more than 1 year) with an initial appointment expecting to last at least 13 months but may be extended up to a total of four years, or more based on any changes to regulations governing the number of years term appointments may last, without further competition at management's discretion.

The position is located in Chesterton, Indiana working for the USGS Great Lakes Science Center.

What you will do

  • This position is located within the Department of the Interior, US Geological Survey, Mid-continent Region, at the Lake Michigan Ecological Research Station in Chesterton, Indiana.
  • The WG-09 salary range for Chesterton, Indiana is Per $32.05 (Step 01) to $37.32 (Step 05) per hour.
  • First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired at the Step 01.
  • Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following: Troubleshoot and resolve building operations issues.
  • Perform maintenance and repairs.
  • Serves as Contracting Officer Representative providing technical oversight, inspection, and communication for onsite construction or rehabilitation projects.
  • Plan, develop, and execute annual facility budget and preventative maintenance plans.
  • Identify, justify, and submit Facility Maintenance Management System (FMMS) projects for approval

Requirements

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
  • Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
  • Direct Deposit participation required.
  • Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check.
  • To learn more, visit ***
  • Must have and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.
  • A physical examination will be required, or a statement regarding physical ability will need to be completed.
  • You must maintain physical fitness standards throughout employment.
  • You may be required to wear a uniform and comply with the uniform standards.
  • A uniform allowance will be provided.
  • You are required to complete training, obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority.
  • As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 2-year trial period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated.
  • This trial 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 trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. *Additional Requirements located under qualifications*

Education

There is no substitution of education for experience for Federal Wage System (FWS) positions.

How you will be evaluated

A review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job.

If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses provided in the Assessment Questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation, you will be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score will be adjusted accordingly. If a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications or experience, you can lose consideration for this position.

Your resume must not exceed 2 pages. Only the document submitted as the "Resume" under the Documents section will be used to determine your qualifications/eligibility and for rating purposes. In the event you submit more than one resume, only the latest submission will be reviewed.

Candidates will be rated and ranked using Category Rating procedures. These procedures place candidates with veteran's preference above non-preference eligibles within each category. Veterans with a service-connected disability of at least 10 percent are listed in the highest quality category.

Under Category Rating, candidates will be rated and ranked into the following categories: Best Qualified - applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are highly proficient in all requirements of the job and can perform effectively in the position Well Qualified - applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in most of the requirements of the job Qualified - applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in some, but not all of the requirements of the job.

You will be evaluated on the following competencies and/or job elements: Ability to Do the Work of the Position without More Than Normal Supervision Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (Includes Blueprint Reading) Ability to Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation, and Repair, etc. Knowledge of Materials Technical Practices (Theoretical, Precise, Artistic) Use of Measuring Instruments If fewer than three eligible and available candidates per vacancy result, the agency will expand the group of candidates in accordance with the pre-announced supplement strategy and 5 CFR 332.402(f).

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Providing false or misleading information on your resume or supporting documentation may result in removal from consideration or other action consistent with applicable federal hiring regulations.

Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position.

Documents you must provide

  • Resume which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed.
  • If military or civilian, please include your rank and/or grade.
  • Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted.
  • The minimum font size is 10-point for all body text.
  • All resumes must maintain a minimum 0.5-inch margins on all sides to ensure readability and prevent excessive content compression.
  • Including supplemental pages or attachments disguised as resume extensions are prohibited and will not be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.
  • Your 2-page resume must contain information sufficient to make a valid determination that you fully meet the qualification requirements.
  • More information on how to write a Federal Resume: *** Complete Required Assessment.
  • Veterans Preference Documentation, if applicable.
  • Veterans must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (member 4 copy) or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions, as listed on the SF15.
  • If you are a Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, or Parent or Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Veteran, you must submit all additional proof required by the SF15, and if applicable, a completed SF15.
  • You may request a copy of your Department of Veterans Affairs letter from *** or call ***.
  • If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active-duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, & 6) dated within 120 days of your separation.
  • Interagency Career Transition (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP): You MUST submit proof of eligibility including 1) copy of the agency notice, e.g., RIF Separation Notice, Notice of Proposed Removal, etc.; 2) SF-50s (Notifications of Personnel Action) showing career/conditional tenure competitive status, promotion potential and duty location; and 3) your most recent performance appraisal.
  • To exercise selection priority, displaced or surplus Federal employees must be well qualified.
  • For more information visit: USAJOBS Help Center - Career Transition Programs (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL).
  • Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package.
  • It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.
  • Do not submit photographs with your application package.
  • Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from all documents.
  • Do not upload Adobe portfolio documents.
  • Adobe portfolio documents are not viewable by our agency's staffing offices.

What to expect next

Please refer to your USAJOBS account for application status; the Human Resources Office cannot respond to individual status inquiries. Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position.

After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application. You can find your path with the Department of Interior at *** Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempt to conceal information may disqualify you for employment consideration.

We may verify all information you provide in your resume and questionnaire responses, through reference and/or background checks, and/or verification of your education. If you are selected, you will be contacted personally by the Human Resources Office posting this announcement.

Additional information

Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement. You may be required to travel overnight away from home up to 4 nights per month.

You must obtain a government charge card for travel purposes.

Term positions do not convey permanent status in the Federal service. The agency retains sole discretion and without further competition, the right to extend the duration of this appointment after selection and/or appointment, based on changes to the term appointment regulation(s).

No extension to a term appointment shall be granted to a selectee/employee to an amount of time that exceeds the maximum number of years authorized under any present or current regulation, unless such regulation expressly allows such action. Physical Demands: The work of this position involves considerable physical effort and strength.

The majority of the work involves continuous hands-on operation of facility utility systems and equipment, to include grounds work and construction projects. The work requires a considerable amount of daily walking, bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, climbing, ladder work, roof work, lifting of 100 pounds or more, and working in strained or cramped positions.

Working Conditions: The work is most often performed in scientific laboratory spaces or mechanical systems rooms. Approximately 25% of the time, work is performed outdoors in severe cold, ice, heat, sun, rain, or wind conditions. Design, planning, estimating and other duties are performed in an office environment.

All Department of Interior (DOI) employees, their spouses, and minor children may not acquire or retain any claim, permit, lease, small tract entry, or other rights granted by the Department in Federal lands, with limited exceptions. Additional ethics prohibitions can be found here, ***

How to apply

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Details on this page reflect the source posting as of Sep 17, 2026. Closing dates and salary ranges can change without notice — the official listing is always authoritative. How our coverage works.

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