Utility Systems Repairer Operator Leader
Department of Agriculture
Summary
This position is located in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) in Manhattan, Kansas. In this position, you will serve as the Stationary Engineer Leader during shift and performs and leads the full range of maintenance, repair, and preventive maintenance for a variety of complex systems and equipment for a large and complex research facility.
Duties
- Provides lead activities over one or more Utility Systems Repairer-Operators and other wage grade shift members.
- Provides instructions received from supervisor and assigns work to be performed (obtains further information from supervisor as required).
- Trains employees in the operation and maintenance preferred Instrument boiler controls, fuel oil pump system controls, and generator controls.
- Checks work in progress and upon completion in order to ensure instructions on work sequence, procedures, methods, and deadlines are met.
- Cross trains other trades and grade level employees in the operation, repair and maintenance of the Center Utility Plant (CUP) facility and all equipment as required.
- Locates needed repair parts and coordinates ordering needs and obtaining emergency parts and repair items for any situations with supervisors.
- Performs various checks, tests, adjustments, and troubleshooting tasks to determine the need of repair and operational work; and provides maintenance, repair, and preventative maintenance for a variety of complex HVAC equipment.
Education
This position does not have an education qualification requirement.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated based on your qualifications for this position as evidenced by the experience, education, and training you described in your application package, as well as the responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine the degree to which you possess the knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies listed below: Ability To Interpret Instructions, Specification, etc. (includes blueprinting reading) Ability to Lead or Supervise Ability To Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair, etc. Knowledge of Materials Technical Practices (theoretical, precise, artistic) Use of Measuring Instruments Your application, including the online Assessment Questionnaire, will be reviewed to determine if you meet (a) minimum qualification requirements and (b) the resume supports the answers provided to the job-specific questions. Your resume must clearly support your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position. Applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements and are determined to be among the best qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration.
Noncompetitive candidates and applicants under some special hiring authorities need only meet minimum qualifications to be referred. Note: If after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating.
Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service. Clicking the link below will present a preview of the application form; i.e. the online questionnaire. The application form link below will only provide a preview and does not initiate the application process. To initiate the online application process, click the “Apply” button to the right.
To view the application form, visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12987986
Required Documents
- The following documents are required for your applicant package to be complete.
- Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, your system failure, etc.
- Encrypted documents will not be accepted.
- Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration.
- Resume that includes: Personal Information: name, address, contact information; Education; Work Experience related to this position as described in the major duties including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; title, series, grade (if applicable); other qualifications.
- Resume cannot exceed 2 pages.
- Current and former Federal employees: Most recent non-award Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) showing you are/were in the competitive service, highest grade held (or promotion potential) on a permanent basis, position title, series and grade AND Most recent performance appraisal (dated within 18 months) showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable.
- A performance plan is not an acceptable substitute.
- Current permanent FSA County employees must submit your most recent non-award Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) showing your highest grade (or promotion potential) held on a permanent basis, position title, series and grade AND most recent performance appraisal (dated within 18 months) per above.
- Veteran Hiring Authorities: VEOA, VRA and 30% Disabled Veterans: DD214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty, that shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions.
- If currently on active duty you must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty service under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted.
- Veteran's preference must be verified prior to appointment.
- If claiming 10-point veteran's preference you must provide the DD214 or certification requirements (see above bullet), plus the proof of entitlement of this preference as listed on the SF-15 Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference.
- The SF-15 should be included but is not required.
- Failure to submit these documents could result in the determination that there is insufficient documentation to support your claim for 10-point preference.
- Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act: Copies of Notification of Personnel Action(s) (SF-50) showing the employee served in eligible appointment(s) for a period(s) of more than 24 mos w/o a break between appointments of two+ years.
- Include initial hire actions, extensions, conversions and separation SF-50s for each period.
- Submit performance rating(s) showing acceptable performance for each period counted towards eligibility signed by supervisor(s).
- If documentation does not exist for one or more periods, submit a statement from supervisor(s) indicating acceptable performance.
- Applicants who do not have performance documentation for any period shall provide a reason why the documentation is not available and statement that performance for all periods was at an acceptable level.
- Schedule A, Persons with Disabilities Appointment: Letter from a physician, local, state or federal rehabilitation office citing eligibility under 5 CFR 213.3102 (u).
- Surplus or displaced employees eligible for CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP priority must provide: proof of eligibility (RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a transfer of function or directed reassignment to another commuting area, notice of disability annuity termination), SF-50 documenting separation (as applicable), and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with your application per 5 CFR 330.
- If claiming eligibility under a special hiring authority or an interchange agreement with another merit system not listed above, see the requirements for that authority and submit the required supporting documentation.
- Go to: USAJOBS Hiring Path for Special Authorities or Special Hiring Authority for more information.
About this role
The Utility Systems Repairer Operator Leader position with the Department of Agriculture is based in Manhattan, Kansas. This position is located in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) in Manhattan, Kansas. The role pays $33.89 to $39.53 per hour.
Day to day, the role provides lead activities over one or more Utility Systems Repairer-Operators and other wage grade shift members. The full list of duties, conditions, and required documents appears in the official announcement linked on this page.
Who should apply
Review the announcement's Qualifications section closely, since it defines exactly what the federal skilled trades experience this Utility Systems Repairer Operator Leader position requires. Match your federal resume directly to the announcement's wording so a reviewer can confirm each requirement in writing. For this Utility Systems Repairer Operator Leader position with the Department of Agriculture in Manhattan, Kansas, confirm you meet each requirement before applying.
How competitive it is
The posted pay of $33.89 to $39.53 per hour places this in a competitive but attainable range for qualified applicants. Based in Manhattan, Kansas, it competes within that local market, which can mean lighter competition than major metropolitan postings. The announcement closes on July 2, 2026, and federal postings can close early once enough applications arrive, so applying promptly is wise.
This overview is general guidance from Job Army to help you understand the role. Always read the official announcement for exact duties, qualifications, and requirements before applying.
