Electrical Engineering Technician - Public Buildings Service

Summary

As an Electrical Engineering Technician, you will work in a Power Generation Plant operating and performing technical support and maintenance of the operation of back-up power and cooling plants and their distribution systems.

The Office of Facilities Management is responsible for providing facilities related solutions and services to Federal tenants across the nation.

We are currently filling four vacancies, but additional vacancies may be filled as needed.

Learn more about this agency

Duties

• Performs repairs to generating plant equipment, auxiliary equipment including ventilating systems, fans, oil distribution and transfer system, distribution systems the need for which is indicated by test and examinations.
• Actively engages with exemplary competence in overall system daily and special operations, including start-up and shut-down of the total system or portions thereof, and start-up and tests for new systems and equipment to ensure manufacturer recommendations are followed.
• Makes regular inspections of work, conducts engineering tests, furnishes technical assistance to supervisors and initiates or recommends corrective action or improvements in the operation, maintenance, repair and administration of the plant.
• Performs power and cooling plant electrical equipment and controls systems analyses to improve plant operation and maintenance practices and procedures and identifies and develops implementation plans for alternative measures which will enhance the efficiency and cost effectiveness of the plant operation.
• Performs equipment and system analyses to improve facilities and distribution system operating and maintenance practices and procedures and identifies and develops alternative measures which will enhance the efficiency and cost effectiveness of system operation.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• US Citizenship or National (Residents of American Samoa and Swains Island)
• Meet all eligibility criteria within 30 days of the closing date
• Meet time-in-grade within 30 days of the closing date, if applicable
• Register with Selective Service if you are a male born after 12/31/1959

If selected, you must meet the following conditions

• Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or NonCareer SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service.
• Serve a one year probationary period, if required.
• Undergo and pass a background investigation (Tier 5 investigation level). You must be granted this clearance before you can start the job.
• Have your identity and work status eligibility verified if you are not a GSA employee. We will use the Department of Homeland Security’s e-Verify system for this. Any discrepancies must be resolved as a condition of continued employment.
• The incumbent of this position may be subject to drug testing
• The incumbent will be part of a group of U.S. Government and contractor professionals that are on-call 24 hours, 7 days per week, 365 days per year in support of mission requirements. This position may frequently extend beyond the normal duty work day to meet mission requirements.
• The incumbent of this position will be designated as an Essential Employee for purposes of weather-related events or other short-term, isolated emergencies.
• Physical demands may be encountered in fieldwork activities such as operation, inspection, monitoring and evaluation. Physical demands imposed are those of climbing over, under and around equipment, walking through tunnels, using catwalk and ladders, and some bending and light lifting.
• Work is performed in and around plant facilities on activities such as operation, inspection, monitoring and evaluation. The incumbent is subject to exposure to risks and discomforts, such as, noise, dirt, inclement weather, chemicals, fuels, boiler- effluent gases, inherent risk potential of a "hard hat" environment, asbestos, high temperatures and humidity. In these facilities safety equipment such as hard hats, safety shoes, and eye protection are worn. Specialized equipment for asbestos may also be required. Some work is performed in an office setting.

Qualifications

For each job on your resume, provide

• the exact dates you held each job (from month/year to month/year)
• number of hours per week you worked (if part time).

If you have volunteered your service through a National Service program (e.g., Peace Corps, Americorps), we encourage you to apply and include this experience on your resume.

The GS-09 salary range starts at $70,623 per year.

The GS-10 salary range starts at $77,771 per year.

The GS-11 salary range starts at $85,447 per year.

The GS-12 salary range starts at $102,415 per year.

If you are a new federal employee, your starting salary will likely be set at the Step 1 of the grade for which you are selected.

To qualify at the GS-09 grade level, you must meet one of the following:

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-08 level or higher in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience with the basic maintenance and operation of electrical power generation systems and their major components (e.g., switchgears, diesel generators, transformers, motors, fans, and HVAC), including basic control and monitoring mechanisms; familiarity with electrical and electronic principles related to backup power and distribution systems; assisting with backup utility operations, experience performing and documenting routine preventative maintenance, basic troubleshooting, and minor repairs on power generation equipment under guidance; and demonstrated proficiency in the safe and effective use of standard test equipment, power tools, and hand tools; OR
• Successful completion of two full years (36 semester hours) of graduate education or a master's degree that is directly related to the position being filled; OR
• A combination of directly related graduate education and experience.

To qualify at the GS-10 grade level, you must meet the following:

One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level or higher in the Federal service.

Specialized experience is experience with routine operation and maintenance of electrical power generation systems and their major components (e.g., switchgears, diesel generators, transformers, motors, fans, and HVAC), including standard control and monitoring mechanisms; practical application of electrical and electronic principles related to backup power and distribution systems; performing standard operating procedures for the daily operation, start-up, and shut-down of back-up utility operations; conducting routine troubleshooting, diagnostics, and performing minor to moderate repairs with greater independence; and demonstrated technical proficiency in the safe and effective use of standard test equipment, power tools, and hand tools, including participating competently in the system inspection and testing program.

To qualify at the GS-11 grade level, you must meet the following:

One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-10 level or higher in the Federal service.

Specialized experience is experience with advanced operation and maintenance of complex electrical power generation systems and their major components (e.g., switchgears, diesel generators, transformers, motors, fans, and HVAC), including advanced control and monitoring mechanisms; independently conducting all aspects of backup utility operations, including complex manual start-up, shut-down, and emergency procedures; independently performing and documenting complex troubleshooting, diagnostics, and repairs on critical power generation equipment; applications of safe and effective use of specialized test equipment and tools, including independently managing the system inspection and testing program.

To qualify at the GS-12 grade level, you must meet the following:

One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level or higher in the Federal service.

Specialized experience is experience with expert operation and maintenance of the operational characteristics of complex electrical power generation systems and their major components (e.g., switchgears, diesel generators, transformers, motors, fans, and HVAC), including all advanced control, monitoring, and integration mechanisms; leading and directing teams in all aspects of backup utility operations, including planning and coordinating complex manual start-up, shut-down, and emergency operations; experience serving as a technical authority in performing and documenting highly complex troubleshooting, diagnostics, and critical repairs; and managing system inspection, testing, and operational readiness programs.

Demonstration of the KSAs listed under the "How you will be evaluated" section must be supported by your application. Applicants should also make note of each KSA, as you will be asked to address them later in the application process.

Consideration will be given to performance appraisals and incentive awards in merit promotion selection decisions in accordance with 5 CFR 335.103(b)(3). You should list any relevant performance appraisals and incentive awards in your resume so that information will be taken into consideration during the selection process. If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation.

If you are eligible under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) or GSA’s Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), your resume must clearly demonstrate experience in at least 3 of the 5 required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) to receive priority consideration.

Additional information

Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

Applicants are encouraged to make their resume searchable in their USAJOBS.gov profile. This will allow Federal hiring specialists and hiring managers across agencies to find their resume as part of agency recruitment campaigns or staffing searches.

If you apply to this position and are selected, we will not ask about your criminal history before you receive a conditional job offer. If you believe you were asked about your criminal history improperly, contact the agency or visit GSA's webpage.

If you are selected at a grade lower than the full performance level, you may be promoted up to that grade level without having to re-apply or compete against other applicants.

Relocation-related expenses are not approved and will be your responsibility.

On a case-by-case basis, the following incentives may be approved:

• Recruitment incentive if you are new to the federal government
• Relocation incentive if you are a current federal employee
• Credit toward vacation leave if you are new to the federal government

Additional vacancies may be filled through this announcement in this or other GSA organizations within the same commuting area as needed; through other means; or not at all.

We are also accepting applications from all U.S. Citizens and Nationals under Vacancy Announcement # PM-2026-0009. You must apply separately to each announcement to be considered for both.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

You will have access to many benefits including

• Health insurance (choose from a wide range of plans)
• Life insurance coverage with several options
• Sick leave and vacation time, including 11 paid holidays per year
• Thrift Savings Plan (similar to a 401(k) plan)
• Transit and child care subsidies
• Flexible spending accounts
• Long-term care insurance
• Training and development

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.