Overview

The U.S. Mission in Lusaka, Zambia is seeking eligible and qualified applicants for the HVAC/Plumbing Team Lead in the Facilities Management Section.

Duties

Under the supervision of the Building Engineer, the incumbent is the Team Lead for the HVAC and Plumbing shop responsible for managing all shop operations and supervising technical staff. S/he will oversee all residential work orders, projects, and tasks assigned to the shop monitoring the timeliness and quality of completed work. Ensures that shop personnel are fully equipped with the training, tools, materials, and other resources needed for success while promoting teamwork.

Work Planning, Implementation, and Inspection – 40%

The job holder is responsible for all aspects of HVAC and Plumbing work at government-owned and leased residences including the CMR and DCMR. Utilizing the Department’s computerized maintenance management system, GMMS, develops short and long-range plans for the HVAC/Plumbing shop and prioritizes assignments. Ensures availability of materials and tools to complete work. Plans projects and develops cost estimates, schedules, and Statements of Work (SOWs). Reads and interprets blueprints, drawings, manuals, guides, and manufacturers specifications. Reviews inventory of spare parts and supplies and orders replacements as needed. Monitors and tests work of subordinates for quality control and to ensure timely completion of work. Verifies that all work meets applicable building codes and/or standards including both local and U.S. building codes. Prepares written progress reports for the Facility Manager. Ensures that all safety and security protocols are strictly adhered to and enforces mishap reporting requirements for all injuries and accidents. Checks that the workshop and shop vehicles are kept clean and in good condition. Maintains accountability of tools kept at the shop and provides guidance and training to technicians on use of specialized tools, instruments, machines, and equipment. Uses GMMS to provide updates and completion status to stakeholders including customers, managers, and peers. Maintains good working relationships with suppliers, vendors, and contractors.

Supervision – 30%

The incumbent supervises 3 Plumbers and 2 HVAC Technicians performing installation, unscheduled maintenance, and preventive maintenance on ventilation, air-conditioning, and plumbing equipment/systems. Prepares Annual Work Plans (AWPs) for employees, holds mid-year performance discussions, and completes annual performance evaluations for all supervised employees. Recommends and implements performance improvement and/or counseling measures for subordinates who are not meeting expectations including attendance and tardiness issues. Drafts award nominations for deserving team members. Participates in the recruiting and hiring process by providing input to shortlist candidates, preparing interview questions, participating in interviews, administering practical knowledge tests, and providing input for candidate selection. Develops annual training plans and provides on-the-job training for subordinates. Stays up to date on industry trends and best practices and holds subordinates accountable for the same.

Maintenance Support – 10%

Performs hands-on installation, maintenance, and/or repair of HVAC, plumbing, and other mechanical equipment/systems. Work includes but is not limited to package units, ductless mini-split heat pumps, multi-splits, ventilation ducts, exhaust fans, water chillers and heaters, booster pumps, plumbing fixtures, boreholes, domestic water piping, water heaters, sanitary waste systems, and water storage vessels. Proficiently uses tools of the trade to complete work per industry standards while following all Department safety and security protocols.

Contract Administration (COR) and Finance – 10%

Acts as the Contracting Officer’s Representative for the recurring Septic Tank/Sewage disposal contract. May also act as the COR or Government Technical Monitor (GTM) for other maintenance, repair, or construction projects. Acts as an Occasional Money Holder (OMH) for funds to purchase materials and supplies.

Administrative – 10%

Attends weekly Facility Management team meetings to receive and/or provide information and updates for embassy and Facility Management activities. Encouraged to participate in embassy functions including the Locally Employed Staff Executive Committee, the Grean Team, and others.

Qualifications and Evaluations

Requirements:

All selected candidates must be able to obtain and hold a:

Public Trust Background Investigation security clearance.

All selected candidates will be subject to a background investigation and may be subject to a pre-employment medical exam.

Selected candidate must be able to begin working within a reasonable period of time 6 Weeks upon receipt of agency authorization and/or clearances/certifications or their candidacy may end.

Education Requirements:

Completion of secondary school and a Trades Certificate (or equivalent) in HVAC or Plumbing is required.

Evaluations:

You will be evaluated against the qualifications and requirements in this vacancy announcement.

You may be asked to complete a pre-employment language or skills test.

You must complete the application form and provide the required documents. Your application must address all the position qualifications and requirements including education, experience, language, and any knowledge/skills/abilities listed. If you fail to submit a complete application, then your application may be disqualified for this position.

Qualifications:

Experience:

Minimum of five (5) years’ experience working in an HVAC or Plumbing capacity at an industrial/manufacturing plant, major resort/hospital, office complex, or a large university/school system that has a fully implemented preventive maintenance program. The applicant’s work experience must demonstrate a progression of increased responsibility throughout their career, including troubleshooting, work planning for self and others, and accountability for building equipment and systems.

Language:

Good working knowledge; speaking, reading and writing English

Job Knowledge:

The applicant must demonstrate that s/he has in-depth theoretical knowledge in the field(s) of HVAC and/or Plumbing. S/he must have exceptional technical understanding to be able to independently troubleshoot and repair complex HVAC and/or Plumbing problems or to complete new system installations. The applicant should have a solid understanding of maintenance techniques and industry recognized best practices. Must be familiar with local and international building codes, industry standards, commonly used materials, and specialty tools of the trade. S/he must have knowledge of leadership principles that promote efficiency and build team morale. S/he must know how to use Microsoft applications including Outlook, Word, and Excel.

Skills And Abilities:

The applicant must demonstrate mastery of HVAC and/or Plumbing practical (hands on) skills. Must be able to work independently with minimal supervision. Must have excellent interpersonal skills and be able to multitask. Must be highly organized and demonstrate good time management abilities. The applicant should be able to read and interpret drawings, diagrams, and other construction/maintenance/equipment related documents. Must demonstrate computer skills and be able to effectively use Microsoft applications including Outlook, Word, and Excel. S/he must be able to draft clear and concise reports, in English, for the Facility Manager or other stakeholders. Ability to lift and carry heavy items, climb ladders, and traverse work platforms such as scaffolding is required. Must be able to perform basic vehicle inspections and drive vehicles with a manual transmission. Must demonstrate good judgment and the ability to maintain confidentiality.

Benefits and Other Info

Benefits:

Agency Benefits:

The U.S. Mission offers a competitive compensation and benefits package for local employees.

For Eligible Family Member (EFM) applicants, benefits should be discussed with the HR Office. The pay plan is assigned by the HR Office and confirmed by Washington, D.C.

Other Information:

Eligible and qualified applicants receive a hiring preference in the order listed below:

Appointment Eligible Family Member (AEFM) / U.S. citizen Eligible Family Member (USEFM) who is a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran*

AEFM / USEFM

Applicants must accurately describe their status in their application; failure to do so may result in a determination of ineligibility for a hiring preference.

* IMPORTANT: Applicants who claim status as a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran must submit a copy of the most recent Member Copy Four (4) of the DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, and, if applicable, a letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. If claiming conditional eligibility for U.S. Veterans’ preference, applicants must submit proof of conditional eligibility. U.S. Veterans’ preference must be claimed on the application to be properly taken into account.

For complete definitions of AEFM, USEFM, EFM, Member of Household, etc., please visit the 3 FAM 7210 Definitions.

The following apply to EFMs, USEFMs, and AEFMs only:

An EFM employed on a PSA or FMA with a regular work schedule (full-time or part-time) is subject to the New Employee 90-Day Application Limitation and must work 90 calendar days in the current position before applying for other positions advertised at the Mission.

An EFM employed on a temporary PSA or Temporary Appointment (TEMP) with an intermittent work schedule is not subject to the New Employee 90-Day Application Limitation and may apply for advertised Mission vacancies at any time.

The following apply to Locally Employed staff only:

Current employees serving a probationary period are not eligible.

Current employees with an Overall Summary Rating of Needs Improvement, Unsatisfactory, or an MBC score of less than 100 points on their most recent Employee Performance Report are not eligible.

The following apply to all candidates:

Candidates who have already accepted a conditional offer of employment may NOT be extended a second conditional offer of employment unless and until they withdraw their candidacy for the first position in writing.

• Manage all shop operations and supervise technical staff.
• Oversee all residential work orders, projects, and tasks assigned to the shop monitoring the timeliness and quality of completed work.
• Ensure that shop personnel are fully equipped with the training, tools, materials, and other resources needed for success while promoting teamwork.
• Develop short and long-range plans for the HVAC/Plumbing shop and prioritize assignments.
• Ensure availability of materials and tools to complete work.
• Plan projects and develop cost estimates, schedules, and Statements of Work (SOWs).
• Read and interpret blueprints, drawings, manuals, guides, and manufacturers specifications.
• Review inventory of spare parts and supplies and order replacements as needed.
• Monitor and test work of subordinates for quality control and to ensure timely completion of work.
• Verify that all work meets applicable building codes and/or standards including both local and U.S. building codes.
• Prepare written progress reports for the Facility Manager.
• Ensure that all safety and security protocols are strictly adhered to and enforce mishap reporting requirements for all injuries and accidents.
• Check that the workshop and shop vehicles are kept clean and in good condition.
• Maintain accountability of tools kept at the shop and provide guidance and training to technicians on use of specialized tools, instruments, machines, and equipment.
• Use GMMS to provide updates and completion status to stakeholders including customers, managers, and peers.
• Maintain good working relationships with suppliers, vendors, and contractors.
• Supervise 3 Plumbers and 2 HVAC Technicians performing installation, unscheduled maintenance, and preventive maintenance on ventilation, air-conditioning, and plumbing equipment/systems.
• Prepare Annual Work Plans (AWPs) for employees, hold mid-year performance discussions, and complete annual performance evaluations for all supervised employees.
• Recommend and implement performance improvement and/or counseling measures for subordinates who are not meeting expectations including attendance and tardiness issues.
• Draft award nominations for deserving team members.
• Participate in the recruiting and hiring process by providing input to shortlist candidates, preparing interview questions, participating in interviews, administering practical knowledge tests, and providing input for candidate selection.
• Develop annual training plans and provide on-the-job training for subordinates.
• Stay up to date on industry trends and best practices and hold subordinates accountable for the same.
• Perform hands-on installation, maintenance, and/or repair of HVAC, plumbing, and other mechanical equipment/systems.
• Act as the Contracting Officer’s Representative for the recurring Septic Tank/Sewage disposal contract.
• May act as the COR or Government Technical Monitor (GTM) for other maintenance, repair, or construction projects.
• Act as an Occasional Money Holder (OMH) for funds to purchase materials and supplies.
• Attend weekly Facility Management team meetings to receive and/or provide information and updates for embassy and Facility Management activities.
• Participate in embassy functions including the Locally Employed Staff Executive Committee, the Grean Team, and others.

• Troubleshooting
• Work planning
• Accountability for building equipment and systems
• Reading and interpreting blueprints, drawings, manuals, guides, and manufacturers specifications
• Inventory management
• Quality control
• Adherence to safety and security protocols
• Mishap reporting
• Tool accountability
• Guidance and training on specialized tools, instruments, machines, and equipment
• Maintaining good working relationships with suppliers, vendors, and contractors
• Supervision
• Performance management
• Recruiting and hiring process participation
• Training plan development
• On-the-job training
• Staying up to date on industry trends and best practices
• Hands-on installation, maintenance, and/or repair of HVAC, plumbing, and other mechanical equipment/systems
• Proficient use of tools of the trade
• Contract administration
• Computerized maintenance management system (GMMS)
• Microsoft applications (Outlook, Word, Excel)
• Interpersonal skills
• Multitasking
• Organization
• Time management
• Reading and interpreting drawings, diagrams, and other construction/maintenance/equipment related documents
• Drafting clear and concise reports
• Lifting and carrying heavy items
• Climbing ladders
• Traversing work platforms
• Basic vehicle inspections
• Driving vehicles with a manual transmission
• Good judgment
• Maintaining confidentiality

• Completion of secondary school
• Trades Certificate (or equivalent) in HVAC or Plumbing
• Minimum of five (5) years’ experience working in an HVAC or Plumbing capacity at an industrial/manufacturing plant, major resort/hospital, office complex, or a large university/school system that has a fully implemented preventive maintenance program.
• Work experience must demonstrate a progression of increased responsibility throughout their career, including troubleshooting, work planning for self and others, and accountability for building equipment and systems.
• Good working knowledge; speaking, reading and writing English
• In-depth theoretical knowledge in the field(s) of HVAC and/or Plumbing.
• Exceptional technical understanding to be able to independently troubleshoot and repair complex HVAC and/or Plumbing problems or to complete new system installations.
• Solid understanding of maintenance techniques and industry recognized best practices.
• Familiarity with local and international building codes, industry standards, commonly used materials, and specialty tools of the trade.
• Knowledge of leadership principles that promote efficiency and build team morale.
• Knowledge of Microsoft applications including Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Mastery of HVAC and/or Plumbing practical (hands on) skills.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Ability to multitask
• Highly organized
• Good time management abilities
• Ability to read and interpret drawings, diagrams, and other construction/maintenance/equipment related documents.
• Computer skills and ability to effectively use Microsoft applications including Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Ability to draft clear and concise reports, in English, for the Facility Manager or other stakeholders.
• Ability to lift and carry heavy items, climb ladders, and traverse work platforms such as scaffolding.
• Ability to perform basic vehicle inspections and drive vehicles with a manual transmission.
• Ability to demonstrate good judgment and the ability to maintain confidentiality.