Utility Systems Repairer Operator Supervisor

Agricultural Research Service • Manhattan, KS

5d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is located at the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) in Manhattan, KS. In this position, you will oversee the operation, maintenance, and repair of complex utility and waste-processing systems supporting a high-containment research facility. You will supervise staff, manage resources, and ensure safe, reliable, and compliant utility and waste-treatment operations across a 24/7 mission environment.

Requirements

• Must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Subject to a two-year supervisory/managerial probationary period unless prior service is creditable.
• New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required training program before the end of their probationary period.
• Direct Deposit – Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check.
• Supervisory Responsibilities (EEO Statement)
• Drug Test Required
• Vaccine(s) Required
• SAC and full background investigation required for positions working with BSL-3 (or higher) agents, or in BSL-3/BSL-4 facilities.
• Department of Justice (DOJ) Security Risk Assessment (SRA) approval is required.
• This is an essential/emergency position. The incumbent is required to report for duty during emergencies, critical periods, or during times when there is Government closure due to inclement weather or budget cut-off.
• Motor Vehicle or Commercial Driver's License Required.
• In order to qualify for this position you must meet the following by the closing date of the vacancy announcement: 10/19/2026.
• Qualifications will be determined under the Job Element Rating System X-118C, Qualifications Standard Handbook.
• While a specific length of time and experience is not required for most Wage Grade positions, you must show through experience and training that you possess the best qualified level of knowledge and skill necessary to perform the duties of this position.
• Qualification requirements emphasize the quality of experience, not necessarily the length.
• The responses to the questionnaire and your resume should be in significant detail to provide the person rating your application with a good understanding of your ability to do the job, technical knowledge, work, and training experience, etc.
• (For example You must have the ability to perform the duties of a, Utility Systems Repairer Operator Supervisor without more than normal supervision (Screen Out).
• Applicants who do not meet the SCREEN OUT ELEMENT will not be given further consideration.
• Working in a high containment laboratory poses some degree of risk to human health.
• For the health and safety of the incumbent and to prevent the spread of diseases, immunization against diseases being studied at NBAF which are transmissible to humans is required where the vaccine has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for safety and effectiveness under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, as amended 21 USC 321-392.
• Investigational vaccines are those approved for human testing while they continue gathering additional safety and efficacy data in advance of full approval for commercial release.
• While immunization with FDA investigational vaccines is strongly encouraged, the incumbent will be advised that such immunization is voluntary.
• Individuals who are already vaccinated or do not wish to receive the investigational vaccines will be asked to sign a declination form, assuming the risk of working with the viruses without vaccination.
• Psychological and physical health are monitored as part of a person review.
• For physical health monitoring, a baseline blood sample will be required for employees entering and working in the biocontainment facility.
• When enrolled in the serum monitoring program, in addition to physical and psychological examinations, the physical health status of personnel is monitored periodically using biologic and serological tests.
• Beyond regular monitoring programs, blood draws will be needed to monitor the specific medical surveillance examinations.
• Any medical condition which could create an unsafe environment for the individual or his/her co-workers, such as: Insufficient control of a medical disorder which could result in sudden loss of consciousness; and inadequate vision and hearing required for safety in a laboratory environment must be considered before a job offer and may be disqualifying.
• Risk is reduced but cannot be eliminated with special safety precautions.
• Use of Safety protocols and use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as respirators, disposable personal protective clothing, and eye protection, are used as needed.
• PPE is dependent upon the work performed and the laboratory space in which the work is performed.
• The incumbent is required to wear tight-fitting respirator when working in biological control areas; facial hair restrictions are to comply with proper operation of personal protective equipment.
• Approval to use a respirator requires a medical evaluation and fit test.
• The incumbent must have the ability to take a full-body shower with soap and shampoo one or more times per day without assistance.
• The incumbent must not have a skin condition which would prevent daily showering.
• Jewelry of any kind is not permitted inside containment.
• Body jewelry in piercings must have the ability to be removed prior to entering biocontainment or the piercing and jewelry must be completely sealed off from the working environment to protect the individual from contamination.
• No unhealed piercings are permitted inside biocontainment.
• External medical devices may not be permitted.
• External medical devices must have the ability to be removed prior to entering biocontainment or be sealed off from the working environment to protect the individual from contamination.
• Facial hair restriction are required to ensure the proper fit of tight-fitting respirators.
• Due to the contagious nature to livestock of Foot-and-Mouth disease, and other diseases under study at NBAF, Select Agent Regulations specify a personal quarantine for the incumbent entering biocontainment.
• As a condition of employment, all personnel entering biocontainment facilities at NBAF must not be in contact with specific susceptible animals for a period of five (5) days after leaving biocontainment.
• Currently, restricted species include cattle, sheep, goats, deer, other ruminants, and swine.
• Contact with horses, birds (agricultural and pet birds) and rabbits are normally permitted, but restrictions may be placed on staff working with or near-contagious agents affecting these species.
• Restricted livestock or other restricted animal may not be housed on the premises where the employee lives and where quarantine cannot be enforced.
• Incumbents who violate this requirement may be removed from employment or may be subject to other disciplinary action.
• Medical confidentiality will be maintained by the examining physician and only fitness (or unfit) for duty determinations will be indicated.
• As required, periodic fitness for duty physicals will be scheduled.
• In addition, medical clearance will be required if it becomes necessary to enter an area where an air purifying respirator or other respiratory protection is required.
• This position does not have an education qualification requirement.

Responsibilities

• Participates with the Supervisory Facilities Engineer in planning short- and long-term projects and providing yearly budget requirements.
• Ensures work schedules, sequencing, deadlines, priorities, and staffing requirements are established and met.
• Works with subordinate supervisors to assign tasks, direct operations, resolve work problems, and implement corrective actions.
• Recommends promotions or reassignments and completes formal appraisals and training determinations for subordinate supervisors.
• Schedules leave, reviews personnel actions, acts on personnel problems, and serves as management representative at hearings/meetings.
• Serves as a technical resource for equipment operations, working with staff to troubleshoot malfunctions and determine repair needs.
• Works with subordinate supervisors to ensure properly trained personnel are available for safe operation, maintenance, and repair.
• Maintains all required federal, state, and local permits and ensures timely renewals.
• Plans routine maintenance schedules and ensures personnel readiness for emergency response situations.
• Develops qualitative and quantitative work standards and evaluates work accomplishments, cost, and utilization.
• Performs journey-level work during absences, shortages, heavy workload, or emergencies.
• Reviews data in MAXIMO (or similar computerized maintenance management system), (such as amount of time worked, materials/supplies used, work performed, etc.) for accountability purpose.
• Operates systems such as MAXIMO (or similar computerized maintenance management system), admin software, Excel, Outlook, Internet Explorer to input data, track actions, and produce reports.
• Oversees budget and allocates resources to ensure stock items, parts, supplies, Works with subordinate supervisors to ensure equipment, materials, and needed maintenance are available.

Benefits

• A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.
• As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.

What This Job Offers

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