Facilities Support Technician

Akima, LLC • Madison, OH

6d • Onsite

About The Position

Akima is hiring Facilities Support Technicians to perform physical labor and maintenance work indoors and outdoors, throughout all seasons, at the National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) in Madison, Wisconsin. Working with the Facilities Operations Specialist and Maintenance Mechanics, technicians help maintain NWHC infrastructure and grounds to support safe and biosecure laboratory and operational activities. The NWHC provides diagnostic services, conducts epidemiological investigations and surveillance, performs laboratory and field research on wildlife health and disease, and shares information with natural resource managers. Its facilities include biological containment areas for laboratory and animal studies involving infectious agents, along with infrastructure offices and laboratories.

Technicians assist with heating, air-conditioning, and laboratory systems after receiving initial instructions from a lead technician or engineer. Work includes maintaining and repairing boilers, water-treatment systems, pumps, chillers, cooling towers, controls, laboratory utilities, and other facility equipment. The role also performs grounds maintenance and general upkeep, including snow and ice removal, mowing, equipment moves, storage-area cleanup, routine repairs, and painting.

The position requires moderate and sometimes strenuous physical labor outdoors in all seasons, including adverse weather. Technicians must be able to lift equipment and supplies over 50 pounds, demonstrate manual dexterity, and wear personal protective equipment in areas where biological agents or hazardous chemicals are used. Participation in the Center occupational health program is required and may include medical clearance to wear a respirator. The position requires U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance. USGS-specific training may be required; clearance requirements are established by the government contract.

The position pays $27.50 per hour, plus an additional $4.93 per hour to assist with elected medical/health-care selections. Any unused portion of that additional amount is automatically directed to the employee’s 401(k). Akima Systems Engineering describes its work environment as challenging and supportive, committed to innovation and diversity, and offers comprehensive benefits, competitive pay, growth opportunities, and retirement options.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance.
• High school diploma.
• At least 1 year of experience in general maintenance.
• Ability to stand or sit for extended periods.
• Ability to lift equipment and supplies weighing more than 50 pounds.
• Ability to work outdoors and be exposed to outside elements, including adverse weather conditions in all seasons.
• Ability to perform moderate and at times strenuous physical labor.
• Manual dexterity.
• Wear personal protective equipment when working in areas that use biological agents or hazardous chemicals.
• Participation in the Center occupational health program; medical clearance to wear a respirator may be required.

Responsibilities

• Assist with operation of the heating system after receiving initial instructions from a lead technician or engineer.
• Maintain hot-water and steam boilers, associated water-treatment systems, circulating pumps, computer control systems, building control systems, and burner controls.
• Help maintain air-conditioning systems, including chillers, circulating pumps, cooling towers, fans, motors, control systems, and associated water-treatment systems.
• Disassemble, clean, inspect, repair, and reassemble heating or air-conditioning systems, and return them to service.
• Operate laboratory systems after receiving initial instructions from a lead technician or engineer.
• Help maintain laboratory air-pressure control systems, wastewater treatment systems, biosafety cabinets, fume hoods, autoclaves, and laboratory utilities, including hot water, cold water, deionized water, compressed air, and natural gas.
• Perform grounds operations, maintenance, and upkeep.
• Visually inspect critical systems at the start and end of each workday.
• Repair laboratory equipment.
• Unload, move, and set up delivered items such as office furniture or laboratory equipment.
• Inventory and clean storage areas and remove discarded items.
• Perform routine repairs, including filling cracks and holes in walls and ceilings and touch-up painting.
• Perform grounds maintenance, including mowing, snow and ice removal, and vegetation trimming.
• Perform other duties as requirements arise.

Benefits

• Additional $4.93 per hour to assist with elected medical/health-care selections; any unused portion is automatically directed to the employee’s 401(k).
• Comprehensive benefits.
• Growth opportunities.
• Retirement options.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED