Maintenance Worker Helper

Summary

This position is located at the U.S. National Poultry Research Center (USNPRC), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Southeast Area (SEA), in Athens, GA. The USNPRC is a BSL-3 high biocontainment facility, one of three Biosafety Level 3 laboratories within USDA-ARS. In this position, you will perform maintenance helper duties in the areas of painting, carpentry, and welding involved in the repair and maintenance of the facilities.

Perform maintenance helper duties in painting, carpentry, and welding for repair and maintenance of the facilities.

To qualify you must meet the following by the closing date of the vacancy announcement: 07/02/2026. 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 demonstrate experience and training that showcase the best qualified level of knowledge and skill necessary to perform the duties of this position.

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 perform the job, technical knowledge, work, and training experience. Applicants who do not meet the SCREEN OUT ELEMENT will not be given further consideration.

The work requires walking, prolonged periods of standing, climbing ladders and scaffolds, stooping, bending, crawling, and working in cramped and uncomfortable positions. The incumbent may be required to lift objects weighing 45–50 pounds and occasionally heavier weights with proper support. Incumbents usually perform work inside heated buildings but may be required to work on locations outside of buildings and on top of roofs.

When outside, work may be performed in all kinds of weather. The incumbent is subject to dirt, spray, fumes, chips from powered or hand tools, flying parts, and heated materials. May be subject to falls when working on high places using ladders and scaffolds, cuts, bruises, burns, and possibility of broken bones. Discomfort may occur when wearing protective clothing, gloves, and eye goggles.

The incumbent may need to wear personal protective equipment such as masks or respirators, eye and ear protection, boots, gloves, and coveralls when working in any of the laboratories. PPE provides necessary protection against biological and chemical hazards but may increase the risk of accidents due to decreased vision, hampered communication, limited mobility and dexterity. Physical well-being may be compromised by the prolonged usage of the PPE, which may lead to labored respiration, heat stress, and dehydration.

The health status of personnel is monitored periodically using biologic and serologic tests and physical examinations. Restrictions against contact with birds and livestock outside the laboratory may apply after entering high security animal facilities that are working with disease agents foreign to the United States.