Power Plant Trainee Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Summary
This position is located in the Architect of the Capitol (AOC); Director, Utilities and Power Plant Operations (CPP); Assistant Director, Operations Division; Rotating Operations Branch A, B, C or D. The CPP operates around the clock to provide steam for heating and chilled water for air conditioning to the buildings of the U.S. Capitol, U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate.
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Duties
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This position is located in the Architect of the Capitol (AOC); Office of the Chief Operating Officer; Director, Utilities and Power Plant Operations; Assistant Director, Operations Division; Rotating Operations Branch A, B, C or D. The incumbent serves as the Power Plant Operator Assistant Supervisor and is responsible for assisting the supervisor with the safety, environmental compliance, reliability and efficiency of all equipment in the Capitol Power Plant (CPP) during the assigned shift.
This position is emergency essential. The incumbent is required to report to work during emergencies, failure of plant machinery and equipment and inclement weather situations to support the critical mission of the Capitol Power Plant.
Tour of duty is for a rotating shift and will include holidays and weekends on a rotating basis.
Major Duties Include: The CPP operates around the clock to provide steam for heating and chilled water for air conditioning to the AOC buildings. The incumbent is required to report to work during emergencies, failure of plant machinery and equipment, and inclement weather situations to support the critical mission of the CPP.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES (30%)
The incumbent assists the supervisor on a shift comprised of one Control Room Operator Leader, a mix of three Power Plant Operators and AMP Power Plant Operator trainees and one High Voltage Electrician (shift electrician) assigned to the shift.
Assists with the administrative and technical supervisory functions for subordinates, limited to administrative supervision for the High Voltage electrician.
Work assignments are typically on an ongoing basis and accomplished within the work shift or coordinated with other Power Plant Supervisors when operations take longer than a single shift.
When assigning work provides technical direction and assists subordinates in accomplishing difficult work steps. Observes work of subordinates in progress to anticipate and resolve problems.
Completes performance plans for all subordinates.
Ensures that employees complete training requirements in their established training plan and complete all aspects of training, including completing training evaluations in a timely manner.
Completes timekeeping and administrative functions correctly and in a timely manner. Makes suggestions as needed for training to enhance employee development.
Arrives at worksite, clocks in, and reports to the control room in time to receive a proper turnover briefing.
UTILITY SYSTEMS REPAIR AND OPERATION (20%)
Operates the electric generation, steam, and chilled water utility systems on a continuing basis.
Utilizes the plant Distributed Control System (DCS), environmental Data Acquisition and Handling System (DAHS), electric system Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), and other control systems to insure operation of all plant systems within desired parameters and at the highest possible efficiency.
Utilizes portable plant instrumentation such as refrigerant and combustible gas leak detectors, infrared scanning equipment, digital thermometers, borescopes, and vibration testing equipment.
Acknowledges and adheres to Plant Standing Orders. Instructs and trains Power Plant Operators/Operator Workers in the safe, efficient and effective operation of all plant machinery and equipment.
Supervises the proper response to machinery and equipment malfunctions and restores the plant to normal operations.
PROJECT/PROGRAM PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT (20%)
Provides clear, professional, and timely communication. As required, reviews and comments on project and design documents and drawings provided to Operations by project personnel.
Conducts troubleshooting and assists the Power Plant Shift Supervisor in writing incident reports in a timely manner.
Assists the supervisor in determining goals and objectives, develops policies and procedures, assigns priorities, develops specific program plans and milestones and establishes budget and resource allocations.
Inspects completed work for quality and compliance with work order requirements.
Provides instructions, reporting, preventative maintenance and work orders. Interprets instructions, specifications and work orders to accomplish work assignments.
Reviews operations assigned work orders and preventive maintenance (PMs) on a daily basis.
Follows directives as outlined in the plant 'night orders' and provided by the operation's general manager.
LIFE SAFETY LEADERSHIP AND ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE, AND PLANT CHEMISTRY (30%)
Provides a workplace free of recognized hazards and provides employees an avenue to report unsafe working conditions and/or hazards.
Adheres to the CPP Lock Out/Tag Out program.
Conducts daily watch safety briefings at the beginning of the shift to identify and discuss any current safety issues or concerns.
Trains all shift staff on the use of the CPP LOTO system to ensure they are proficient in the use and application of LOTO.
Requirements
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Conditions of employment
The work requires the incumbent to hold and maintain current status for one of the following:
Licenses: National Institute for the Uniform Licensing of Power Engineers (NIUPLE) First Class Power Engineer License;
District of Columbia Class 1 Steam Engineer License;
State issued Stationary Engineer License; or
United States Coast Guard (USCG) Marine Engineer License.
The work also requires the incumbent to obtain an EPA Universal Certification for refrigeration systems within the first year of employment.

• A citizen of the United States;
• A person who is lawfully admitted for permanent residence and is seeking citizenship as outlined in 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)(B);
• A person who is admitted as a refugee under 8 U.S.C. 1157 or is granted asylum under 8 U.S.C. 1158 and has filed a declaration of intention to become a lawful permanent resident and then a citizen when eligible;
• A person who owes allegiance to the United States (nationals of American Samoa, Swains Island, and the Northern Mariana Islands, and nationals who meet other requirements described in 8 U.S.C. 1408); or
• A person who is currently an officer or employee of the Government of the United States."
• You must be able to pass a drug test and background check.
• Your resume and question responses must demonstrate the job-related KSAs.
• You must meet the definition of specialized experience.

Qualifications
You must meet all eligibility and qualification requirements by the closing date of the job announcement.
You must meet the following SCREEN-OUT(S) required for this position.

• Ability to Supervise employees performing power plant operation tasks.
• The work requires the incumbent to hold and maintain current status for one of the following:
  Licenses: National Institute for the Uniform Licensing of Power Engineers (NIUPLE) First Class Power Engineer License; District of Columbia Class 1 Steam Engineer License; State issued Stationary Engineer License; or United States Coast Guard (USCG) Marine Engineer License. The work also requires the incumbent to obtain an EPA Universal Certification for refrigeration systems within the first year of employment.

Additional information
Welcome Veterans. The Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) gives veterans' preference rights in the legislative branch to certain veterans as applied by the Congressional Accountability Act. Veterans' preference is applied on this vacancy announcement. If you are a veteran and have been separated under honorable conditions, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility; SF-15, if applicable; and Department of Veterans Affairs documentation of disability, if applicable. For more information, please visit OPM vet guide
If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System. If you are exempt from registration under Selective Service Law, you must provide appropriate proof of exemption. Please visit the Selective Service System website for more information.
DRUG TESTING: The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) is a Drug Free Workplace. As part of the AOC's suitability assessment, a candidate tentatively selected for a position who is not currently an AOC employee is required to submit to screening for illegal drug use. Satisfactory completion of a drug test is a condition of employment with the Agency. A candidate must test negative prior to being eligible for appointment into a position. We will schedule, provide and cover the cost for the drug test.
The selectee(s) under the vacancy announcement for this position is subject to a criminal record check by the U.S. Capitol Police and satisfactory adjudication to be eligible for employment at the Architect of the Capitol.
The Architect of the Capitol is an E-VERIFY Participant. E-VERIFY is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment authorization in the United States. If you are selected for this position, the documentation that you present for purposes of completing the DHS Form I-9 will be verified through the DHS "E-VERIFY" electronic system. For more information on E-Verify, please visit http://www.dhs.gov/files/programs/gc_1185221678150.shtm
The Architect of the Capitol is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information and/or disability.
This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Moving expenses are not authorized.
Relocation expenses are not authorized.
Probationary Period - A newly appointed selectee is subject to the completion of a one-year trial/probationary period, regardless of whether or not a trial/probationary period has been completed previously with the Architect of the Capitol or another Federal agency.
This vacancy announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies in any of the jurisdictions of the Architect of the Capitol.
All application materials become the property of the Architect of the Capitol.
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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
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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.
A variety of health insurance plans; retirement system with investment options; paid holidays; paid sick and annual (vacation) leave; life insurance; incentive systems; subsidized transportation; training and development opportunities, etc.
Selected applicant(s) may be eligible to earn a higher annual leave accrual rate credit towards annual leave accrual based on prior non-Federal or uniformed service work experience. The amount of service credit will be based on specialized experience or qualifying experience that is provided on the applicant profile submitted. As such, if you are a new employee to the Federal Government or a rehire, it is important that you provide a work history that lists all directly related positions held, and it must include the dates of employment (month/day/year).
The Architect of the Capitol offers eligible employees opportunity to participate in the Student Loan Repayment Program.
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.