Two people looking down a shaft

Utility Systems Repairing - Operating

Download Details
WG-4742

Position Overview

DOI’s workforce is comprised of over 70,000 employees who work in a wide variety of settings across the United States. The Utility Systems Repairing – Operating role is tasked with repairing, operating, and maintaining various utility systems, such as air conditioning, water, wastewater, and heating, in DOI buildings, offices, national parks, and other managed lands and properties.

This position is represented at the following bureaus

Bureau of Indian Affairs
Bureau of Indian Education
National Park Service
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Candidate Description

The ideal candidate possesses knowledge of user requirements and the locations and functions of all equipment in the system(s) and the necessary repair procedures and specifications.

Specialty Areas

This work requires the application of more than one trade practice. Examples include air conditioning, boiler plants, heating equipment, water treatment, electrical, or water plant

Work Environment

Work for this series occurs both indoors and outdoors, depending on the project or situation. Employees in this position are frequently exposed to very hot or very cold temperatures. Work typically requires the use of common Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, or hard hats. Much of the time spent in this position requires standing and moving around or kneeling, crouching, stooping, or crawling.

Minimum Education Requirements

Typically requires training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, an Associate’s degree or Apprenticeship work.

Often must pass a licensing exam in order to perform the job.

Career Level Requirements

Responsibilities by Level

  • Entry:

    • Performs routine maintenance, such as inspecting drives, motors, or belts, checking fluid levels, replacing filters, or doing other preventive maintenance actions.
    • Cleans or lubricates shafts, bearings, gears, or other parts of machinery.
    • Performs various checks, tests, adjustments, and troubleshooting tasks to determine the need for and the performance of repair and operation work.
    • Assembles, installs, or repairs wiring, electrical or electronic components, pipe systems, plumbing, machinery, or equipment.
    • Tests and treats water supply.

  • Mid:

    • Inspects, operates, or tests machinery or equipment to diagnose machine malfunctions.
    • Dismantles machines, equipment, or devices to access and remove defective parts, using hoists, cranes, hand tools, or power tools.
    • Repairs machines, equipment, or structures, using tools such as hammers, hoists, saws, drills, wrenches, or other equipment such as precision measuring instruments or electrical or electronic testing devices.
    • Assembles boilers at installations sites, using tools such as levels, plumb bobs, hammers, torches, or other hand tools.
    • Positions, attaches, or installs insulating materials to prevent energy losses from buildings, pipes, or other structures or objects.

  • Journey:

    • Plans and lays out repair work, using diagrams, drawings, blueprints, maintenance manuals, or schematic diagrams.
    • Orders parts, supplies, or equipment from catalogs or suppliers.
    • Trains or manages maintenance personnel or subcontractors.
    • Inspects used parts to determine changes in dimensional requirements, using rules, calipers, micrometers, or other measuring instruments.
    • Diagnoses mechanical problems and determines how to correct them, checking blueprints, repairing manuals, or catalogs as necessary.

Click to read more

Strengths by Level

Entry 5-7
Mid 5-9
Journey 5-11
  • Accountability
    Holds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results. Determines objectives, sets priorities, and delegates work. Accepts responsibility for mistakes. Complies with established control systems and rules.
    Show Tool Tip
    Entry 5-7
    Mid 5-9
    Journey 5-11
  • Attention to Detail - 2
    Considers all aspects involved in accomplishing a task, no matter how minute. Precisely follows procedures to ensure each element of a task is accurately completed.
    Show Tool Tip
    Entry 5-7
    Mid 5-9
    Journey 5-11
  • Building and Construction
    Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools to construct objects, structures, and buildings.
    Show Tool Tip
    Entry 5-7
    Mid 5-9
    Journey 5-11
  • Compliance
    Knowledge of procedures for assessing, evaluating, and monitoring programs or projects for compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and guidance.
    Show Tool Tip
    Entry 5-7
    Mid 5-9
    Journey 5-11
  • Customer Service
    Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside the Government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services.
    Show Tool Tip
    Entry 5-7
    Mid 5-9
    Journey 5-11
  • Decision Making
    Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals; causes change.
    Show Tool Tip
    Entry 5-7
    Mid 5-9
    Journey 5-11
  • Electrical
    Knowledge of electrical equipment, components, instruments, and systems, including their design, installation, testing, uses, repair, or maintenance.
    Show Tool Tip
    Entry 5-7
    Mid 5-9
    Journey 5-11
  • Environmental Compliance
    Knowledge of environmental compliance concepts, principles, and practices applicable to a full range of duties to resolve pollution problems associated with solid and hazardous waste operations, domestic and industrial wastewater disposal and water supply operations, solid and hazardous materials and waste operations, air pollution parameters, asbestos, lead, pesticides and other contaminants associated with Service operations, and their associated environmental liabilities.
    Show Tool Tip
    Entry 5-7
    Mid 5-9
    Journey 5-11
  • Eye-Hand Coordination
    Accurately coordinates one's eyes with one's fingers, wrists, or arms to perform job-related tasks (for example, to move, carry, or manipulate objects).
    Show Tool Tip
    Entry 5-7
    Mid 5-9
    Journey 5-11
  • Facilities
    Knowledge of the physical, engineering, and experimental equipment and operational characteristics of facilities, and safety and equipment development designed to support aerospace activities.
    Show Tool Tip
    Entry 5-7
    Mid 5-9
    Journey 5-11
  • Hazardous Materials
    Knowledge of hazardous materials and waste and their uses, interactions, dangers, production, handling, storage, and disposal.
    Show Tool Tip
    Entry 5-7
    Mid 5-9
    Journey 5-11
  • Health and Safety Awareness
    Applies the knowledge and understanding necessary to adhere to and implement health and safety laws, regulations, and other occupational standards for the purpose of establishing, promoting, and maintaining a safe work environment for oneself and others.
    Show Tool Tip
    Entry 5-7
    Mid 5-9
    Journey 5-11
  • Industrial Equipment Operation
    Knowledge of principles and methods for operating industrial equipment.
    Show Tool Tip
    Entry 5-7
    Mid 5-9
    Journey 5-11
  • Manages Resources
    Selects, acquires, stores, and distributes resources such as materials, equipment, or money.
    Show Tool Tip
    Entry 5-7
    Mid 5-9
    Journey 5-11
  • Mechanical
    Knowledge of machines and tools, including their design, use, benefits, repair, operation, and maintenance.
    Show Tool Tip
    Entry 5-7
    Mid 5-9
    Journey 5-11
  • Oral Communication
    Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
    Show Tool Tip
    Entry 5-7
    Mid 5-9
    Journey 5-11
  • Physical Strength and Agility
    Ability to bend, lift, climb, stand, and walk for long periods of time; ability to perform moderately heavy laboring work.
    Show Tool Tip
    Entry 5-7
    Mid 5-9
    Journey 5-11
  • Problem Solving
    Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.
    Show Tool Tip
    Entry 5-7
    Mid 5-9
    Journey 5-11
  • Project Management
    Knowledge of the principles, methods, or tools for developing, scheduling, coordinating, and managing projects and resources, including monitoring and inspecting costs, work, and contractor performance.
    Show Tool Tip
    Entry 5-7
    Mid 5-9
    Journey 5-11
  • Public Safety and Security
    Knowledge of public safety and security operations; occupational health and safety; or rules, regulations, precautions, and prevention techniques for the protection of people, data, and property.
    Show Tool Tip
    Entry 5-7
    Mid 5-9
    Journey 5-11
  • Safety Engineering
    Knowledge of the concepts, principles, theories, and methods to identify, control, mitigate, and eliminate safety hazards in the design and use of facilities, equipment, operations, and work processes.
    Show Tool Tip
    Entry 5-7
    Mid 5-9
    Journey 5-11
  • Self-Management
    Sets well-defined and realistic personal goals; displays a high level of initiative, effort, and commitment towards completing assignments in a timely manner; works with minimal supervision; is motivated to achieve; demonstrates responsible behavior.
    Show Tool Tip
    Entry 5-7
    Mid 5-9
    Journey 5-11
  • Stamina
    Exerts oneself physically over long periods of time without tiring (which may include performing repetitive tasks such as data entry or coding).
    Show Tool Tip
    Entry 5-7
    Mid 5-9
    Journey 5-11
  • Teaching Others
    Helps others learn through formal or informal methods; identifies training needs; provides constructive feedback; coaches others on how to perform tasks; acts as a mentor.
    Show Tool Tip
    Entry 5-7
    Mid 5-9
    Journey 5-11
  • Technical Competence
    Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues.
    Show Tool Tip
    Entry 5-7
    Mid 5-9
    Journey 5-11
  • Technical Problem Solving
    Troubleshoots, diagnoses, analyzes, and identifies system malfunctions to determine the source and cause of the problem.
    Show Tool Tip
    Entry 5-7
    Mid 5-9
    Journey 5-11

Common Pathways

Candidates who made this career change most commonly held these occupations...

Utility Systems Operating

10.4%
Career Information Coming Soon
5309 - Heat/boiler Plant Equip Mechanic 4.5%
5703 - Motor Vehicle Operating 4.5%
5407 - Electric Power Controller 3%
2805 - Electrician 3%
5352 - Industrial Equipment Mechanic 3%
0303 - Miscellaneous Clerk and Assistant 3%
4206 - Plumbing 3%
Less Common Pathways (<2%)

Where We Are

DOI employs people at more than 2,400 locations across the United States and territories. Use the Position Locator tool to see where current DOI employees work. To check for job opportunities, scroll down and click "See jobs on USAjobs.gov."

Explore the possibilities.

See all jobs on USAJobs.gov