Maintenance Mechanic

National Park Service • Saint Louis, MO

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Maintenance Mechanic serves in the Maintenance Division at Gateway Arch National Park. The position performs preventive, routine, and corrective maintenance on the Arch’s two tram systems, as well as seven elevators and two escalators. Work includes inspections and repairs from a moving maintenance cart outside the tram capsules at heights up to 630 feet, and operating and troubleshooting tram systems using programmable logic controllers. The mechanic diagnoses and repairs electrical motors and control systems, variable frequency drives, hoist motors, governors, door operator motors, and related switching devices. Other work includes adjusting capsule doors, brakes, and leveling controls; painting and lubricating tram equipment; replacing bearings, sheaves, and wheels; and shortening cables.

The role requires working at heights and in confined spaces, including climbing and crawling inside the Arch structure. Conditions range from clean, air-conditioned shop areas to dusty, poorly lit, cramped equipment spaces, with temperatures varying seasonally. Work may involve wet and slippery areas, electrical hazards, riding elevator car tops and tram platforms, and working on a platform that changes from horizontal to 80 degrees from level. The employee must wear a uniform and may be required to work shifts, on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, and overtime. A valid driver’s license is required to operate a government or private motor vehicle for official duties.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Must pass a background investigation and receive favorable adjudication.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service.
• Must participate in direct deposit and successfully pass E-Verify employment verification.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.
• Must wear a uniform and comply with National Park Service uniform standards.
• Must not fear heights or confined spaces.
• Must serve a one-year probationary period.
• Must demonstrate ability to perform the work without more than normal supervision and ability to work in high and confined spaces.
• Must have knowledge of equipment assembly, installation, and repair; electrical and electronic control system operation and maintenance; measuring instruments; use and maintenance of tools and equipment; and materials.
• Must meet the position’s job-related qualification standards by the announcement closing date of November 12, 2026.
• Must be at least 18 years old, or at least 16 and meet one of the stated education, vocational training, school-authority, or student-employment conditions.
• Education cannot substitute for experience for Federal Wage System positions.
• Must be able to erect and climb ladders and scaffolds, work on open structural steel, and occasionally use a safety harness.
• Must be able to climb 1,076 steps inside the Arch in emergencies.
• Must be able to carry 75 pounds for 200 feet.
• Must be able to crawl through narrow passages and climb structural members that vary from horizontal to vertical.

Nice To Haves

• Qualifying volunteer experience, including work through National Service programs or other organizations, is credited.

Responsibilities

• Inspect and maintain tram systems from a moving maintenance cart outside the capsules, at heights up to 630 feet.
• Perform preventive and routine maintenance on the Arch’s two tram systems, seven elevators, and two escalators.
• Diagnose and repair AC and DC electric motors, control systems, variable frequency drives, hoist motors, governors, and door operator motors.
• Inspect, repair, or replace starters, contactors, auxiliary control circuits, magnetic and proximity switches, and other switching devices.
• Make adjustments to capsule doors, capsule gear reducer brakes, and the Tram Leveling Controller.
• Paint tram capsules and associated equipment; lubricate equipment and keep pertinent parts clean.
• Use tram programmable logic controller systems to monitor, troubleshoot, and operate tram systems.
• Replace bearings, sheaves, tram wheels, and counterweight wheels as needed.
• Shorten hoisting, governor, and compensating cables.
• Climb ladders, scaffolds, and structural members, and crawl through narrow passages to access equipment.
• Operate a government or private motor vehicle as part of official duties.

Benefits

• A uniform allowance is provided.
• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific eligibility depends on position type.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed