Electrical Worker Helper

Summary

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 assist journeyperson electricians with installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting electrical distribution systems.

Duties

• Installs, modifies, repairs, maintains, tests, and loads new and existing electrical distribution systems, equipment and their components.
• Helps electricians in troubleshooting malfunctioning equipment, distribution circuits and controlling equipment to locate and correct the cause of outages and improper operation.
• Uses a variety of test equipment such as test meters, voltmeters, ammeters, watt meters and ohmmeters.
• Uses step ladders, man lifts, and boom lifts and follow safety procedures for this type of equipment.
• Complies with the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility and agency safety requirements and precautions while working in areas where the subject regulations apply.
• Understands the National Electrical Code aimed at safeguarding persons and property from hazards associated with electrical installations.
• Works with electricians and electronics workers in making emergency cutouts and substitution of power lines and equipment, sometimes working on secondary distribution systems when they are energized.
• Works with electricians and electronics workers on scheduled and unscheduled adjusting, cleaning, repairing, replacing defective parts, and lubricating programs on all electrical equipment with related accessories.
• Works with electricians and electronics workers in placing distribution panels, boxes, fittings, fixtures, transformers and other electrical devices.
• Uses word processing and software to accurately maintain records such as documenting or recording equipment numbers, time and materials as required for preventative and planned maintenance.
• References National Electrical Code, local codes, building plans, blueprints, wiring diagrams, engineering drawings and electrical maintenance and repair manual as pertains to the work.
• Works with electricians in troubleshooting malfunctioning equipment, distribution circuits and controlling equipment to locate and correct the cause of outages and improper operation.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for this position you must meet the following by the closing date of the vacancy announcement: 10/05/2026 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, Electrical Worker Helperwithout more than normal supervision (Screen Out)). Applicants who do not meet the SCREEN OUT ELEMENT will not be given further consideration. Working Conditions: Incumbent is exposed to varying abnormal temperatures and conditions, both indoors and outside buildings. The incumbent works in areas where equipment is in continual operation, and noise levels are abnormal and odors prevail. The incumbent is subject to infection, mechanical injury, gas, cuts, bruises, fumes, dirt and grease. Work requires changes to clothing provided by NBAF while at work duty station. Work may require to showering prior to reporting to duty station in accordance with entrance/exit safety protocols for specific areas of the center. The incumbent must use safety equipment including hard hat, gloves, safety glasses, lock out tag out (LOTO), arc flash clothes and other protective items. The incumbent must wear a full face respirator when working in biological control areas; and restrictions of facial hair may be imposed for proper use of personal protective equipment. Discomfort may occur when wearing protective clothing, gloves, and eye goggles. 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. Physical Effort: The work requires performing duties in utility spaces, on ladders and scaffolding and may operate a boom truck. Work requires close hand and eye coordination; active walking; prolonged periods of standing on concrete floors, climbing, bending, and reaching and working in cramped positions or crowed areas or confined spaces (manholes). The incumbent may be required to lift objects weighing up to 75 pounds with proper support.

Education

This position does not have an education qualification requirement. How You Will Be Evaluated

Applications will be evaluated in accordance with Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Delegated Examining Procedures and USDA policy using category rating. Applicants who meet basic minimum qualifications will be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans. Category placement will be determined based on applicants' quality of experience and the extent they possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) or competencies: Ability to Do the Work of the Position without More Than Normal Supervision Ability to Use and Maintain Hand Tools (Electrical Work) Ability to Use Electrical Drawings Knowledge of Electrical Equipment Technical Practices (Theoretical, Precise, Artistic) Theory and Instruments (Electrical, Electronic) Used in Shop and Trade Practices Troubleshooting (Electrical) Your application, including the online Assessment Questionnaire, will be reviewed to determine if you meet (a) minimum qualification requirements and (b) the resume supports the answers provided to the job-specific questions. Your resume must clearly support your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position. Those determined to be in the best qualified category will be referred to the selecting official for consideration. Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service. Clicking the link below will present a preview of the application form; i.e. the online questionnaire. The application form link below will only provide a preview and does not initiate the application process. To initiate the online application process, click the "Apply" button to the right. To view the application form, visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13058814 Other Information

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. Recruitment or Relocation Incentive may be authorized. Final determination to pay an incentive will be made by the hiring official at time of job offer. This is a Testing Designated Position (TDP). Selectee must submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and random testing thereafter. Final appointment and continued employment is conditional on negative results for illegal drug use.