Utility Systems Repairer Operator

About the role

NIST is seeking Utility Systems Repairer Operators to operate, monitor, and maintain central utility plant systems on a rotating shift, including high-pressure steam boilers, large-capacity centrifugal chillers, industrial air compressors, and an 8 MW cogeneration turbine system to ensure reliable campus utility services.

What you will do

• The mission of NIST's Office of Facilities and Property Management (OFPM) is to advance NIST's mission success by planning, building, operating, maintaining, and servicing facilities that provide a safe, secure, and sustainable environment for world-class scientific research.
• This position is in the Gaithersburg Facilities Maintenance Division, which manages and operates facilities for the NIST Gaithersburg site to ensure maximum responsiveness to NIST programs through reimbursable engineering design and renovation, as well as building systems operation and maintenance.
• As a Utility Systems Repairer Operator for this division, duties vary by grade level: At the WG-10 level, you will: Operate, regulate, and monitor centralized plant equipment, including 150 psi steam boilers and 3,500-ton chillers, to support utility demands across federal campus facilities.
• Perform routine checks, tests, adjustments, and operational troubleshooting on utility systems such as heating, air conditioning, and water distribution using trade tools and standard operating procedures.
• Conduct chemical testing on boilers, chillers, and cooling systems to maintain proper operational thresholds and efficiency.
• Troubleshoot equipment malfunctions and perform mechanical repairs using blueprints, sketches, and shop mathematics, referring complex or unusual problems to the supervisor.
• Plan and lay out assigned work independently, selecting proper tools, equipment, materials, and safety precautions required for working around high-pressure and moving machinery.
• At the WG-11 level, you will: Operate and maintain large-scale centralized plant systems with little to no instruction, including multiple 150 psi boilers (up to 88,000 lb/hr), campus service air compressors, seven 3,500-ton chillers, and related ancillary equipment supporting research laboratories.
• Perform non-standard industrial troubleshooting and complex mechanical repairs on special-purpose utility equipment, independently interpreting blueprints, sketches, and operating/maintenance manuals.
• Conduct comprehensive chemical testing and water treatment across boilers, chillers, and cooling towers to ensure optimum efficiency and asset preservation.
• Participate in training and operational support for the campus 8 MW Co-Generation unit, including its 14-stage gas turbine, heat recovery steam generator (HRSG), and high-pressure gas compressor.
• Make independent decisions during complex system issues, collaborating directly with factory technical representatives to troubleshoot and resolve critical mechanical problems.
• At the WG-12 level, you will: Serve as a senior shift operator, independently monitoring and troubleshooting central utility plant alarms and directing operational adjustments to ensure continuous utility service to complex R&D laboratories.
• Apply expert knowledge to operate, maintain, and execute complex repairs on high-capacity plant infrastructure, including 88,000 lb/hr steam boilers, 3,500-ton chillers, service air compressors, and the 8 MW Co-Generation plant.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance on shift, assisting junior operators with difficult troubleshooting, maintenance tasks, and problem-solving.
• Collaborate directly with factory representatives to resolve complex utility failures and assist the supervisor in reviewing completed repair work and unusual operational problems.
• Perform advanced chemical testing programs, complex shop mathematics, and refrigerant handling under Universal CFC standards across centralized heating, cooling, and power generation systems.

How you will be evaluated

How you will be evaluated: We will review your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documents to assess your qualifications for this position. Please be sure that your resume and supporting documents include detailed information to support your qualifications for this position.

Failure to provide sufficient and/or legible evidence in your resume or supporting documents may result in a "not qualified" determination.

You MUST select at least ONE eligibility (i.e., how you wish to be considered) to receive consideration for this position.

Rating: Applications will be assessed on the following competencies: 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 Dexterity and Safety Knowledge of Materials Technical Practices (Theoretical, Precise, Artistic) Use of Measuring Instruments Applicants must meet the screen out elements and achieve an overall score of at least fifty (50%) or higher.

Subject Matter Experts may be used for qualification determinations. If the minimum qualifications and eligibility requirements are met, your application will be rated and ranked among others, based on your responses to the online questions regarding your experience, education, training, performance appraisals, or awards relevant to the duties of the position.

Your rating may be lowered if your responses in the online questions are not supported by the education and/or experience described in your application.

To preview the questionnaire, click here: *** Referral: If you are among the top qualified candidates, your application may be referred to a selecting official for consideration. You may be required to participate in a selection interview.

You will be referred depending upon your eligibility (i.e., Merit candidate, veterans preference, etc). Please review the Evaluation Process on how applicants are review and referred based upon how they wish to be considered for the position.

CTAP or ICTAP eligibility: If you are a displaced or surplus Federal employee eligible for the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP), you must be determined eligible and rated as well-qualified to receive special selection priority.

"Well Qualified" means that in addition to meeting the minimum qualification requirements and selective placement factor(s), if applicable, you must receive a score of 85 or higher. Please review the following site regarding required documents to support CTAP or ICTAP eligibility and additional information regarding this authority - CTAP/ICTAP Eligibility

Documents you must provide

• The documents required vary based on how you're applying (i.e., as a veteran or disabled veteran, current or former Federal employee, etc.).
• Please review the Required Documents for this position to find out if there are any documents required with your application.
• Failure to submit required documents, based upon how you apply, may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package.
• A complete application includes: 1) A resume, 2) vacancy question responses, and 3) submission of any required documents.
• Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, or if the documents submitted are illegible you may not be considered for this position (or may not receive the special consideration for which you may be eligible).
• Resume: All applicants must submit a resume by creating one in USAJOBS or uploading one of their choosing.
• Cover letters are optional.
• To receive any credit for relevant experience, please list the month/year and the number of hours worked for experience listed on your resume.
• We suggest you preview the online questions, as you may need to customize your resume to ensure that it supports your responses to these questions.
• Please refer to the Resume Guidance on how to build an effective resume.
• Only resumes up to 2 pages will be accepted.
• Applicants with resumes exceeding 2 pages will be removed from consideration.
• Reference the USAJobs Help Center for additional recommendations and instructions.
• Reinstatement: If you are a former federal employee (separated from Federal service for at least 1 year) and wish to be non-competitively reinstated for a higher grade or full performance level than which you left federal employment, you MUST provide a copy of your separation SF-50 (the "position occupied" block on the SF-50 should show a "1" and your "tenure" block should show a "1" or "2") AND the last performance appraisal you received from your federal employment which shows at least a fully successful rating.

What to expect next

To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (***), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: ***

We will update applicant statuses when: A qualification determination is made. If found not qualified/eligible, no additional updates will be provided. Applications are referred to the selecting official.

A selection decision has been made. Please notify us if your contact information changes after the closing date. Also, note that if you provide an inaccurate email address or if your mailbox is full or blocked (e.g., spam-blocker), you may not receive important communication, which could affect your consideration for this position.

Additional information

This position is covered by the Federal Wage System. The FWS is a uniform pay-setting system that covers Federal appropriated fund and non-appropriated fund blue-collar employees who are paid by the hour. For more information regarding the FWS, visit ***

We may share your application package with other selecting officials at NIST with opportunities like this one. Additional selections may be made through this vacancy. Click all links in this vacancy announcement to view additional information or instructions.

You MUST select at least ONE ELIGIBILITY in order to be considered for this position.

All documents submitted for this announcement must be legible in order to make qualification or eligibility determinations. A probationary period may be required. Possession of an EPA universal CFC Certification is required.

This position has physical requirements which include but may not be limited to: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over Heavy carrying, 45 pounds and over Straight pulling (5 hours) Pulling hand over hand (5 hours) Pushing (5 hours) Reaching above shoulder Use of fingers Both hands required Walking (10 hours) Standing (10 hours) Crawling (4 hours) Kneeling (4 hours) Repeated bending (8 hours) Climbing, legs only (4 hours) Climbing, use of legs and arms Both legs required Operation of crane, truck, tractor, or motor vehicle Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4 Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other Both eyes required Depth perception Ability to distinguish basic colors Ability to distinguish shades of colors Hearing (aid may be permitted) This position has environmental factors which include, but may not be limited to: Outside and inside Excessive heat Excessive cold Excessive humidity Excessive dampness or chilling Dry atmospheric conditions Excessive noise, intermittent Constant noise Dust Silica, asbestos, etc. Fumes, smoke, or gases Solvents (degreasing agents) Grease and oils Radiant energy Electrical energy Slippery or uneven walking surfaces Working around machinery with moving parts Working around moving objects or vehicles Working on ladders or scaffolding Working below ground Unusual fatigue factors: confined space Working with hands in water Vibration Working closely with others Working alone Protracted or irregular hours of work Other: shift work NIST strives to build a flexible and encouraging work environment to bring out the best in our employees.

To help our employees balance responsibilities at home and at work, NIST offers a variety of work-life flexibilities. For more information, please visit our Careers website.

Applicants may opt in to share their application materials with other Department of Commerce (DOC) bureaus/offices for vacancies in the same series, equivalent grade/pay band, and full performance level in the same duty location or commuting area.

Applicants may be cross-considered between General Schedule (GS) and DOC alternative personnel systems (CAPS or APMS) at equivalent grade and performance levels; accepted offers are subject to that position's pay system. Opting in does not replace applying directly to other announcements of interest.