4800c
(4801-21XX) AREA MAINTENANCE SPECIALIST--LEVEL 7
DOCUMENT DATE: November 30, 1987
FUNCTION:
As assigned by an area maintenance technician, installs, maintains, repairs, removes, and disposes of postal equipment, as appropriate, at post offices (offices not having maintenance capability) within the geographic area served by the area maintenance office to which assigned. Installs, moves, or repairs post office screenline equipment, lock boxes, furniture, and mechanical equipment, supervising such additional help as the assigned projects may require.
DESCRIPTION OF WORK:
See the Standard Position Description for the Occupation Code given above.
REQUIREMENTS:
This section is composed of Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) which are required to satisfactorily perform the tasks of the position. Applicants must demonstrate that they possess a sufficient level of each KSA, to include at least minimum competency for senior-qualified positions to enable them to perform these tasks satisfactorily. Applicants demonstrate these levels by describing examples of experience, education, or training, any of which may be non-postal. Ratings are based on the demonstration of the level of possession of each of the KSAs. Failure to demonstrate any KSA is disqualifying. The numbers in parentheses reflect KSA item numbers.
(1) Knowledge of basic mechanics refers to the theory of operation, terminology, usage, and characteristics of basic mechanical principles as they apply to such things as gears, pulleys, cams, pawls, power transmissions, linkages, fasteners, chains, sprockets, and belts; and including hoisting, rigging, roping, pneumatic, and hydraulic devices.
(2) Knowledge of basic electricity refers to the theory, terminology, usage, and characteristics of basic electrical principles such as Ohm's Law, Kirchoff's Law, and magnetism, as they apply to such things as AC-DC circuitry and hardware, relays, switches, and circuit breakers.
(3) Knowledge of basic electronics refers to the theory, terminology, usage, and characteristics of basic electronic principles concerning such things as solid-state devices, vacuum tubes, coils, capacitors, resistors, and basic logic circuitry.
(5) Knowledge of safety procedures and equipment refers to the knowledge of industrial hazards (e.g., mechanical, chemical, electrical, electronic) and procedures and techniques established to avoid injuries to self and others such as lock out devices, protective clothing, and waste disposal techniques.
(8) Knowledge of lubrication materials and procedures refers to the terminology, characteristics, storage, preparation, disposal, and usage techniques involved with lubrication materials such as oils, greases, and other types of lubricants.
(9) Knowledge of cleaning materials and procedures refers to the terminology, characteristics, storage, preparation, disposal, and usage techniques involved in application and removal of cleaning materials such as alcohols, solvents, detergents, and degreasers. Included is an understanding of the use of compressed air and vacuum type cleaning procedures.
(15) Knowledge of carpentry refers to the terminology, materials, techniques, and procedures used in carpentry applications such as form construction, building framing, and interior and exterior finishing projects.
(17) Knowledge of plumbing refers to the terminology, materials, techniques, and procedures used in plumbing applications such as installing pipe and tubing, making joints, repairing flush and float valves, and cleaning drains.
(18) Knowledge of painting refers to the terminology, materials, techniques, and procedures used in painting applications such as surface preparation, application procedures and usage of protective/identifying materials (e.g., enamels, varnishes, plastics, stains, sealants, decals), and painting equipment.
(19) Ability to perform basic mathematical computations refers to the ability to perform basic calculations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division with whole numbers, fractions, and decimals.
(21) Ability to apply theoretical knowledge to practical applications refers to the ability to recall specific theoretical knowledge and apply it to mechanical, electrical, or electronic maintenance applications such as inspection, troubleshooting, equipment repair and modification, preventive maintenance, and installation of electrical equipment.
(22) Ability to detect patterns refers to the ability to observe and analyze qualitative and quantitative factors such as number progressions, spatial relationships, and auditory and visual patterns. This includes combining information and determining how a given set of numbers, objects, or sounds are related to each other.
(23) Ability to use written reference materials refers to the ability to locate, read, and comprehend text material such as handbooks, manuals, bulletins, directives, checklists, and route sheets.
(24) Ability to communicate in writing refers to transmitting written information (e.g., equipment status, recommended repairs) to maintenance, operations, and other personnel.
(25) Ability to communicate orally refers to receiving/transmitting oral information (such as equipment status, recommended repairs or modifications, parts usage, and technical procedures) to/from maintenance, operations, and other personnel.
(26) Ability to follow instructions refers to the ability to comprehend and execute written and oral instructions such as work orders, checklists, route sheets, and verbal directions and instructions.
(27) Ability to work under pressure refers to safely and effectively performing the duties of the position under stress or in emergency situations.
(28) Ability to work with others refers to the ability to work safely and efficiently in cooperation with fellow employees to perform the duties of the position.
(29) Ability to work without (immediate) supervision refers to the ability to perform safely and efficiently the duties of the position such as planning and executing work activities without direct supervision.
(30) Ability to work from heights refers to the ability to perform safely and efficiently the duties of the position above floor level such as from ladders, catwalks, walkways, scaffolds, vert-a-lifts, and platforms.
(31) Ability to use hand tools refers to the knowledge of, and proficiency with, various hand tools. This ability involves the safe and efficient use and maintenance of such tools as screwdrivers, wrenches, hammers, pliers, chisels, punches, taps, dies, rules, gauges, and alignment tools.
(32) Ability to use portable power tools refers to the knowledge of, and proficiency with, various power tools. This ability involves the safe and efficient use and maintenance of power tools such as drills, saws, sanders, and grinders.
(33) Ability to use shop power equipment refers to the knowledge of, and proficiency with, shop machines such as bench grinders, drill presses, and table/band saws.
(35) Ability to use technical drawings refers to the ability to read and comprehend technical materials such as diagrams, schematics, flow charts, and blueprints.
(36) Ability to use test equipment refers to the knowledge of, and proficiency with, various types of mechanical, electrical, and electronic test equipment such as VOMs, oscilloscopes, circuit tracers, amprobes, and RPM meters.
(37) Ability to solder refers to the knowledge of, and the ability to safely and effectively apply, the appropriate soldering techniques.
EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS:
Applicants must complete the appropriate written examination. An applicant's total qualifications will be evaluated by a combination of the written examination and the review panel's evaluation; and additionally, for in-craft candidates, the supervisor's evaluation.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Applicants must be physically able to perform efficiently the duties of the position, which may require arduous exertion involving the following: standing, walking, climbing, bending, reaching, and stooping for prolonged periods of time; and intermittent lifting and carrying of heavy tools, tool boxes, and equipment on level surfaces and up ladders and stairways. Applicants must have vision of 20/40 (Snellen) in one eye and the ability to read without strain printed material the size of typewritten characters is required. Corrective lenses are permitted. The ability to distinguish basic colors and shades is required. Applicants will be required to hear the conversational voice in a noisy environment and to identify environmental sounds, such as equipment running or unusual noises. Hearing aids are permitted.
ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS:
Applicants who qualify under this standard may be required to satisfactorily complete a prescribed Applicants who qualify under this standard may be required to satisfactorily complete a prescribed training course(s) prior to assignment, reassignment, or promotion.
Applicants must be able to operate powered industrial equipment.
For positions requiring driving, applicants must have a valid state driver's license, and demonstrate and maintain a safe driving record. Applicants must pass the Postal Service road test to show the ability to safely drive a vehicle of the type use on the job. Employees may be required to drive motor vehicles in all kinds of traffic and road conditions.
The knowledge elements, and abilities contained in this section are not actual requirements and are not to be used as the basis for disqualification. These are desirable factors which would enhance the applicant's ability to perform the duties of the position and may be used in evaluating the quality and extent of the applicant's total background.
(10) Knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC) refers to basic knowledge and familiarity with the techniques and procedures specified in the NEC as they apply to electrical installations such as circuit protection, wiring, conduit, power, and lighting circuits.
(13) Knowledge of heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) equipment operation refers to the knowledge of equipment operation such as safety considerations, start up, shut down, and mechanical/electrical operating characteristics of HVAC equipment (e.g., chillers, direct expansion units, window units, heating equipment). This does not include the knowledge of refrigeration.
(20) Ability to perform more complex mathematics refers to the ability to perform calculations such as basic algebra, geometry, scientific notation, and number conversions, as applied to mechanical, electrical, and electronic applications.
(38) Ability to cut and weld refers to the knowledge of and the ability to apply safely and effectively appropriate gas and electric cutting, welding and brazing techniques and procedures used in equipment and machine maintenance applications.