Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic

Summary

This position is located at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Plains Area (PA), National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility in Manhattan, KS. In this position, you will perform the full range of activities involved in maintaining and repairing a variety of air conditioning and cooling unit systems.

Physical Efforts:
Incumbent performs work on benches, supports, ladders, scaffolds, roofs, cramped and crowded quarters, in modules, around and under laboratory equipment which requires continuous standing, stooping, bending, climbing, and working overhead and in cramped or awkward positions. May be required to lift items up to 100 pounds with appropriate precautions and support.

Working Conditions:

Incumbent usually performs work inside heated buildings, but may be required to work on equipment located outside of buildings and on top of roofs. When outside, work may be occasionally performed in all kinds of weather. The incumbent may be exposed to equipment in continual operation, noise levels, and odors. The incumbent is also subject to infection, mechanical injury, electric shock, gas, cuts, bruises, fumes, dirt and grease.

Safety equipment must be used when required and the incumbent is required to wear a full‑face respirator when working in biological control settings. 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.

The mission of NBAF includes research, diagnosis and training for animal diseases foreign to the U.S. for the purpose of protecting American agriculture and domestic food sources from their potentially devastating effects. NBAF is vital to successfully protecting U.S. agriculture from the intentional or non‑intentional introduction of foreign animal diseases such as Foot‑and‑Mouth disease. The position supports the biocontainment facilities and may require entry into biosafety level (BSL) 3, 3 enhanced, 3 Ag and BSL‑4 labs.

The incumbent must demonstrate the physical and psychological capability to conduct normal duties that are appropriate to their position. To prevent the transmission of disease out of biocontainment and retention of the position, the incumbent must meet the following medical standards in a pre‑employment medical examination conducted after the receipt of a preliminary job offer and on a periodic basis: ability to shower out of biocontainment one or more times per day;

not have any skin condition which would prevent this; body piercings must be able to be removed prior to entry; external medical assist devices must have the ability to be removed prior to entering or not impede the ability to enter biocontainment, and the individual must still be able to shower out safely without assistance; ability to follow instructions regarding decontamination from biocontainment;

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. Medical confidentiality will be maintained by the examining physician and only fitness (or unfit) for duty determination will be indicated.

The incumbent will also be required to pass periodic fitness for duty physicals. In addition, a medical clearance will be required in the event that it becomes necessary to enter an area where an air purifying respirator or other respiratory protection is required. A baseline blood sample may be required for employees entering and working in the biocontainment facilities. For the health and safety of the incumbent and to prevent the spread of disease, immunization against diseases being studied at NBAF which are transmissible to humans may be required where the vaccine has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for safety and…