Engineer Job at the American Embassy in Dar es salaam

Closing Date of The Position: February 8, 2016

Vacancy Announcement Number: 16/005

ALL ORDINARILY RESIDENT (OR) APPLICANTS MUST HAVE THE REQUIRED WORK AND/OR RESIDENCY PERMITS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION.

The US Mission in Dar es Salaam is seeking eligible and qualified applicants for the position of Engineer in the Facilities Maintenance Section. 

BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION 

Serves as the chancery engineer with responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the chancery and other facilities on the chancery compound including all major building systems and the related equipment. Act as the single point of contact for coordinating all chancery work. 

Incumbent is responsible for supervision of the plant operations, for the efficient operation of all building systems, for overseeing the preventive maintenance program, for repairing of the building itself and all building systems, for the planning of major and special projects, and for the supervising of all technical contracts associated with these duties.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

A. Manage the Day-to-Day Operation of the Major Building Systems 
35% 
Major building systems include switchgear, fire detection system, fire suppression system, uninterruptible power supply, water pressure system, sewage treatment system, power generation system, power distribution system, elevators, ventilating and air conditioning systems as well as the related equipment. 

A.1. Supervise the plant operators, performing all the duties required by the personnel regulations. 

A group of approximately (5) plant operators monitor, operate, adjust, re-set and ensure the proper operation of the major building systems that are located throughout the chancery building and compound. Most, but not all, of the controls are concentrated in the machine rooms. 

Schedule duty-hours for continuous coverage i.e. 24-hours per day, 7 days per week. Assign occasional, intermittent and one-of-a-kind work. 

Provide detailed oral and written instructions as well as the on-the-job training necessary to understand and implement equipment-operating instructions reliably without supervision (i.e. nights and weekends). Provide the same kind of information for identifying and dealing with unusual or emergency problems that may involve notifying appropriate individuals. 

Train operators to recognize and handle hazards that may endanger safety or health of the plant operators as well as the building occupants. Ensure personnel protective equipment is used properly. 

Ensure the status board (that displays the operational status of the several dozen pieces of equipment critical to chancery operations) contains current and accurate information. Ensure the equipment logs are filled out and filed on a regular schedule. 

A.2. Provide engineering expertise and analysis in establishing guidelines for operating systems and in solving problems that occur in day-to-day operations. Develop and write statements of work and standard operating procedures. Maintain BME contracts and be COR/COTR for the BME contract services. 

Develop a detailed knowledge of the major building systems and the related equipment. Document this knowledge in a (bi-lingual) facility notebook that shows key operating data and procedures. 

Establish set points for normal operations of the major building systems. Establish criteria for adjusting set points required by changing environmental conditions within the building. Insure the air balance is maintained correctly in all buildings. 

Generate (bi-lingual) checklists that specify the tasks to be performed on major building systems. 

Review available data such as operator’s logs, status boards as well as personal observation of the major building systems to identify systemic problems and determine solutions. 

Ensure that the major building systems are operated in the most cost-effective and energy-efficient method possible. Insure replacement parts and equipment are installed when they arrive at Post. 

Use the GMMS as a tool to establish procedures for the proper operation of the major building systems.

B. Manage the GMMS Preventive Maintenance (PM) program 
35% 
Preventive maintenance is the periodic inspection and servicing of equipment by specialized maintenance personnel on a pre-planned basis. 

B.1. Supervise a select group of in-house maintenance specialists. 
These maintenance specialists will be joined by the plant operators (already described above) as well as supplemental in-house personnel and outside contractors who will fully implement the preventive maintenance program. Schedule work hours, recognizing the need that odd work hours are required for equipment that can only be serviced at night or on weekends. 

Provide detailed oral and (bi-lingual) written instructions as well as the on-the-job training necessary to understand and perform proper maintenance procedures reliably with a minimum of supervision. Provide the same kind of information for identifying and dealing with unusual or emergency problems that may involve notifying appropriate individuals. 

Train personnel to recognize and handle hazards that may endanger safety or health of the workers as well as the building occupants. Ensure personnel protective equipment is used properly. 

Ensure that all preventive maintenance work is accurately reported on the work order. 

B.2. Provide engineering expertise and analysis in establishing performance criteria for the PM program. 
Develop a detailed knowledge of the maintenance requirements of the major building systems and the related equipment. Document this knowledge in a (bi-lingual) facility notebook that shows key operating data and procedures. 

Develop a working knowledge of the warranties and other obligations of contractors who provide systems, equipment or services. Work with contractors and vendors to ensure the warranties are exercised. 

Establish the (bi-lingual) PM schedule for major building systems and the related installed equipment. The PM schedule will then be used to direct the workers performing maintenance tasks as well as the operational tests needed to ensure system reliability. 

Generate checklists (bi-lingual) that specify the tasks to be performed on major building systems (e.g. $20,000 worth of AC filters to be changed on a periodic basis, fire alarm testing, etc.). 

Review available data such as operator’s logs, status boards as well as personal observation of the major building systems to identify systemic problems and determine solutions. 

Ensure that the major building systems are maintained in the most cost-effective and energy-efficient method possible. 

Use the Consolidated Maintenance Plan (CMP) concept as the basis for the PM program i.e. as a tool to establish procedures for the proper maintenance of major building systems. Use experience gained in operating the facilities under local conditions to adjust the CMP. 

Plan and implement moderate sized equipment repairs and upgrades to be performed via additional resources. Make recommendations for major repairs and upgrades. 

Determine the required expertise to perform each PM task and make arrangements for supplemental resources such as in-house personnel or outside contractors required to fully implement the PM program. 

Ensure that necessary replacement parts, fluids, chemicals, consumables and other materials are available when required. Initiate procurement requests for materials as required. 

Manage and schedule the work of technical service providers under contract with the embassy (e.g. chiller and elevator). Assist in the process to establish several additional maintenance contracts such as water treatment, sewage plant operation, switchgear, generators, UPS, fire suppression as well as other required (but unidentified at this time) needs. . Make recommendations to the facility manager, based on the proper completion of the contract, for payment (or withholding of payment) for contracted services. 

• Request journeyman assistance from other facility management sections. Supervision of these supplemental journeymen will remain with their respective foremen/supervisors. The incumbent will determine the scope of work, and in cooperation with the appropriate foremen/supervisors, will monitor and inspect the work performed. The incumbent will be responsible for accepting or rejecting the work performed. 

• Ensure materials, methods, equipment, safety procedures and tests performed by contractors and in-house workers conform with the manufacturer’s operating manuals, contract document provisions, warranty requirements, and good workmanship.

C. Deliver Engineering and Facility Management Services
30% 
C.1. Maintain customer satisfaction Act as the chief point of contact within the chancery building for building operations. 

Routinely consult with a wide range of building occupants, noting their concerns, and within operating constraints, attempt to satisfy building occupants by creating and maintaining a good environment (e.g. air quality, lighting quality, finishes quality, high levels of safety and general good repair). 

Routinely inspect the building and receive complaints/comments from building occupants. Note deficiencies and initiate repair actions. 

C.2. Coordinate with other FMS sections for both technical and customer generated work requests

Occasionally, simple repairs will be possible with the small staff under the incumbent’s supervision. However, most repairs will be outsourced to other sections of the facility management section or to contractors. 

The incumbent will request journeyman assistance from other facility management sections via the existing work order system. Supervision of these supplemental journeymen will remain with their respective foremen/supervisors. The incumbent will determine the scope of work, and in cooperation with the appropriate foremen/supervisors, will monitor and inspect the work performed. The incumbent will be responsible for accepting or rejecting the work performed. 

C.3. Plan and implement the work of outside contractors and TDY personnel 
Provide engineering advice, assistance and expertise to the facility manager and various OBO staff in planning and executing emergency, occasional, unusual, one-of-a-kind, major or special projects (i.e. in addition to the several contracts described in the PM section). Determine the scope of work, costs and identify suitable vendors. Make recommendations to the facility manager, based on the proper completion of the contract, for payment (or withholding of payment) for contracted services. 

Prepare written reports documenting work performed by contractors, incorporating data and observations from inspecting work performed. Reports must be accurate, concise and complete to insure the US Government’s position in discussions or disputes with contractors. 

Monitor and inspect warranty and other contracted work to insure it is performed to the standards set by OBO for the original construction of the chancery. Inspect materials, workmanship, methods, equipment, safety program and tests performed by the contractors for conformity with contract requirements. 

Act as the point of contact for technical information such as reviewing plans and specifications. 

Orient new personnel, especially OBO TDYers, by providing a concise description of chancery operations and a physical tour. 

C.4. Assist the facility manager to manage the annual IMAP PM team

The IMAP PM team specializes in performing PM in secure portions of the chancery. 

Incumbent ensures that bills of materials and requests for technical information are promptly processed, preferably while IMAP is at post. 

Incumbent ensures the recommendations contained in the IMAP report are implemented. Incumbent ensures that tools, materials and drawings are on hand prior to IMAP arrival. 

C.5. Maintain the Consolidated Maintenance Plan (CMP) and other facility documentation. 

Ensure the equipment inventory is accurate and properly entered into the computerized maintenance system. 

Ensure the original design drawings and specifications are properly maintained. 

Ensure that as-built drawings are produced to document all facility modifications 

Ensure the owner’s manuals and catalog cut-sheets are complete and available in an orderly manner for all the installed equipment. 

C.6. Assist facility manager to plan and implement the budget, various reports and other responsibilities. 

Assist in implementing post’s safety program 

Plan and implement the recommendations in the Fire and Life Safety Report, Global Condition Survey, Energy Conservation and other specialized reports. 

Make recommendations for the need and the scheduling of major maintenance projects and/or the replacement of furnishings) e.g. painting, carpet replacement, ceiling tile replacement, etc.). 

Generate input for the annual OBO and ICASS funding requirements. 

Generate input for the annual special projects request to OBO. 

Perform the (OBO required) Annual Facility Condition Survey to assess the physical condition of the facilities on the chancery compound and identify deficiencies during an early stage when timely repairs will be much less costly. 

Incumbent may occasionally assist in other facility-related work.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

All applicants must address each selection criterion detailed below with specific and comprehensive information supporting each item.

1. Education: 
   Bachelor degree in Mechanical, Electrical or Civil Engineering is required.
2. Experience: 
   Five years prior work experience in performing design and construction. services is required. In addition, two years of supervision experience is required.
3. Language:
   Level IV (Fluent) in English and Kiswahili (writing, reading and speaking) is required. (This will be tested)
4. Skills and Abilities: 
   Job holder must have capability to use engineering tools to track, record, troubleshoot and fine tuning M&E work, i.e. Air flow tester, IAQ analysis, Vibration analysis, LUX meter is required. 
   
   Advanced skills of MS Project, MS Office, (MS Excel, MS Word, MS PowerPoint), and general knowledge of AutoCAD is required. (This will be tested).
5. Job Knowledge: 
   The jobholder has to know USG rules and regulations, advanced knowledge on construction engineering, techniques and management skill are required. A wide range and in-depth knowledge of engineering expertise in both local and US standard, codes and practices is required.

SELECTION PROCESS: When qualified, applicants who are U.S. Citizen Eligible family Members (USEFMs) and/or preference-eligible U.S. Veterans are given a preference in hiring. Therefore, it is essential that these applicants make themselves known as having a hiring preference and specially address the required applications above in their application.

HIRING PREFERENCE ORDER: 
1. USEFM who is ALSO a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran
2. USEFM OR a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran
3. FS on LWOP

ADDITIONAL SELECTION CRITERIA:

1. Management will consider when determining successful candidacy: nepotism, conflicts of interest, budget, and residency status.
2. Current OR employees serving a probationary period are not eligible to apply. Current OR employees with an Overall Summary rating of Needs Improvement or Unsatisfactory on their most recent Employee Performance report (EPR) are not eligible to apply.
3. Current NOR employees hired on a Family Member Employment (FMA) or a Personal Service Agreement (PSA) are not eligible to apply within the first 90 calendar days of their employment, unless they have a When Actually Employed (WAE) work schedule.

HOW TO APPLY: applicants must submit the following documents to be considered:

1. Universal Application for Employment (UAE)(Form Ds-174), which is available on our website or by contacting Human resources, (see “For Further Information” above); and
2. Any additional documentation that supports or addresses the requirements listed above (e.g. transcripts, degrees, etc.)
3. Copy of Passport, or, National ID, Resident/Work Permit.

IMPORTANT: Applicants claiming a U.S. Veteran’s preference must submit written documentation confirming eligibility (e.g., Member Copy 4 of Form DD-214, Letter from the Veteran’s Administration, or certification documenting eligibility under the VOW Act with an expected discharge no later than 120 days after the certification is submitted) by the closing date of the vacancy announcement. If the written documentation confirming eligibility is not received in the HR office by the closing date of the vacancy announcement, the U.S. Veteran’s preference will not be considered in the application process. Specific criteria for receiving a U.S. Veteran’s preference may be found in HR/OE’s Family Member Employment Policy (FMEP).

WHERE TO APPLY: 

American Embassy
Human Resources Office
P.O. Box 9123
Dar es Salaam