Supervisory Facility Operations Specialist

This position is in the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Northeast Area, Robert W Holley Center of Agriculture and Health, Ithaca, New York. In this position, you will plan, direct, and oversee the day-to-day operations of two facilities and the maintenance, remodeling, repair, and long-term functionality of their associated buildings, structures, and grounds.

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. Time in grade: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirements of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for GS-12 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to the GS-11 which is directly related to the work of this position, and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience maintaining facility or property records or operations; ensuring compliance with safety standards or regulations; and managing contracts for construction, repair or maintenance projects. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Physical Demands: Work involves tasks and visits throughout the federal facilities and requires considerable and strenuous physical exertion (walking, standing, bending, inspecting and adjusting technical devices). More strenuous activity may be required, such as inspecting inaccessible utilities, frequently climbing tall ladders or operating personnel lifts and forklifts, making minor repairs, or assisting in lifting heavy objects (up to and includes 50 pounds), and using appropriate equipment. Travel is required especially by motor vehicle. Work Environment: Work is in an office or laboratory setting, greenhouses/head house, wet laboratories, warehouses, and other facilities. The work involves high risks from exposure to potentially dangerous situations or unusual environmental stresses. Repair work may occur in a harsh outside environment under extremely hot temperatures, and often requires climbing ladders. Duties require a range of safety and other precautions. The incumbent must take special safety precautions including wearing special protective items such as safety glasses or goggles, gloves, steel toe shoes, hard hats, etc. USDA-ARS scientists work on a wide range of agricultural issues. The agency's research aims to find practical solutions to agricultural problems, often translating scientific findings into tools and technologies that can be used by farmers, ranchers, and food producers. The National Farm Security Action Plan elevates American agriculture as a key element of our nation's national security. This position supports and/or assists the research that is being conducted by USDA-ARS scientists and is considered to be sensitive as the duties require protection of private, controlled unclassified, or proprietary information with a moderate impact degree.