Job Openings at U.S .Department of State

Duties

• The incumbent reports to the Electrical Maintenance Supervisor. The incumbent is employed as the Generator Maintenance Mechanic to carry out skilled maintenance and repair work and refueling on prime and stand-by emergency generators for the Embassy Compounds and residential owned/leased properties. Responds to scheduled, unscheduled and preventive maintenance work orders generated by the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS). S/he assists the maintenance staff at the Consulates in Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town. S/he performs scheduled after-hours duty for 24/7 emergencies.

Qualifications and Evaluations
Requirements:
EXPERIENCE:  

• Three years’ experience in the operation, maintenance and repair of prime or standby power generators for large commercial properties such as high-rise office buildings, a hospital or college campus, or for the local utility company is required.

JOB KNOWLEDGE:  

• Good technical understanding of power generation systems, electrical systems, and International Building Code (IBC) standards.

Education Requirements:

• Completion of secondary school is required. Completion of training program from an accredited institute recognized as producing power generation diesel engine mechanics is required.

Evaluations:

• LANGUAGE: Good Working Knowledge; reading, writing and speaking in English is required. (This may be tested).

SKILLS AND ABILITIES: 

• Knowledge of the internal working of a combustion engine, torque values at various RPMs, and methods and standards for routine maintenance. Must use standards and operational data off diesel engines and generators in order to calculate optimum performance used to make changes to the loads demands connected to a generator. Must know how to adjust valves settings, change filters and belts, adjust speed to achieve hertz levels (50 or 60 Hz), and make minor repairs. Good computer skills. (This may be tested).
• The job holder must have held a Local Driver's License for at least five years.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO):  

• The U.S. Mission provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation.

Qualifications:

• All applicants under consideration will be required to pass medical and security certifications.

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Duties

• The incumbent operates safely and efficiently an unarmored U.S. Government-owned or leased motor vehicle to transport passengers and/or cargo. Works as messenger as directed.

Chauffeur Responsibilities

• As one of several motor pool chauffeurs, receives work assignments from the Dispatcher to transport State and/or other Agency personnel or cargo.
• Operates Embassy vehicles in the transportation of official visitors in support of U.S. Government’s official activities.
• Assumes duty driver responsibility on a rotational basis. Incumbent may be required to make trips that require out-of-town stays.
• Maintains vehicle in a clean and serviceable condition, to include cleaning the interior and exterior of the vehicle.
• Performs basic vehicle inspection in accordance with established schedules and policies.
• Prepares trip reports, vehicle use and fuel logs. Estimates fuel consumption for trips.
• Safeguards U.S. Government property and uses U.S. Government resources efficiently, including the fuel-efficient operation of vehicles.
• May drive armored vehicles, as needed.

Messengers Responsibilities

• To include mail, cargo, documents pickup and delivery, as assigned.
• Handles cash up to $1,000 and/or handle government fuel credit card for vehicle with $300 limit.
• Provides driver support for the Ambassador or DCM in the absence of their regularly-assigned chauffeurs, as directed.

Qualifications and Evaluations

• Requirements:

EXPERIENCE: At least three (3) years of professional driving experience is required.

JOB KNOWLEDGE: 

• Must have a good working knowledge of the city and its environs, including driving routes and traffic patterns.
• Must be familiar with the location of hospitals, police and fire stations within the city and its immediate surroundings.

Education Requirements:

• Completion of high school education (matric) is required.

Evaluations:
LANGUAGE:

• Limited knowledge in reading, writing and speaking in English is required. (This may be tested).
• A good working knowledge of reading, writing and speaking in any other official South African language is required. (This may be tested).

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Must hold a valid Code 10 driver’s license and Public Driver’s Permit (PDP). (Driving test will be conducted).
• Must have the ability to read maps and plan driving routes.
• Must have good verbal communication skills, and an ability to handle all persons with professionalism and discretion.
• Must be able to perform basic vehicle inspection and must possess intermediate level automotive maintenance skills.
• Must have basic computer skills to maintain reports and for communication purposes.
• Operates level C or D armored vehicle with defensive driving skills.
• Familiarity with the use of Microsoft Word and Excel is required.  (This may be tested).

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Duties

• Under the supervision of the Deputy Facility Manager, the Building Maintenance Engineer leads a team of skilled tradespersons responsible for maintaining all the Chancery operating systems.
•  Included among these are the Mechanical and Electrical Systems, Building Automation System (BAS), Chiller Plant, Air Handling Units, VAV System, Potable Water, Sanitary Sewage, Storm Sewage, Oil Water Separator Systems, Fuel delivery distribution & Fuel Monitoring Systems, Fire Alarm & Fire Suppression Systems; Electrical Power Generation & Distribution Systems; Voltage Regulators; Transformers; Switchgear; Panel boards, Automatic Transfer Switches; Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) motors & controllers; and Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) Systems.  Additional responsibilities include supervision  of the custodial and grounds maintenance staff and overseeing an aggressive recycling and energy conservation program.

Qualifications and Evaluations
Requirements:

• EXPERIENCE:  A minimum of five (5) years' experience working as a project manager/supervisor/foreman at a manufacturing plant, major resort, hospital, office complex, or a large university/school system managing a preventative maintenance program that incorporates or utilizes a CMMS to track scheduled and unscheduled maintenance requests and their related expenses.  The incumbents work experience must demonstrate a progression of increased  responsibility throughout their career, including developing scopes of work, construction documents (plans and specifications) and cost estimates for new construction projects, building repairs, equipment overhauls, and equipment replacement schedules. 

JOB KNOWLEDGE:  

The incumbent must have superior knowledge, exceptional technical  skills, and  a thorough understanding of preventive maintenance techniques and practices, and the use of KPIs in managing an effective preventive maintenance program.  Must be thoroughly familiar with heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems with an in-depth understanding of thermodynamics and how they apply to HVAC theories and principles, well-versed in HVAC controls including motor starters, thermostats, humidistats, variable frequency drive (VFD) motors and controllers, motorized and gravity dampers, building pressurization, building automation systems and sensors; a thorough understanding of International Building Code standards, mechanical/ASHREA standards, indoor air quality standards, ductwork sizing and air flow principles, and fire and life safety codes.  Must have excellent knowledge of power generation and electrical distribution systems, voltage regulation, automatic transfer switches, branch circuit electrical wiring, and Ohms law.

Education Requirements:

• The completion of a 4 year Bachelor of Science degree, in Mechanical/Electrical/General/Civil Engineering from an accredited university program is required.  
• To be acceptable, the curriculum  must be in a school of engineering with at least one curriculum accredited by  the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) as a professional engineering curriculum.

Evaluations:
LANGUAGE:  Good working knowledge; speaking,  reading and writing of English is required.  (This will be tested).

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Skilled at writing detailed technical reports that may include translating technical jargon into laymen's language.  Local Driver's license for at least five years.  Basic keyboard/typing skills.  Must have excellent interpersonal skills and be able to handle a large workload and multiple tasks simultaneously.  Must be highly organized.  Proficient in the use of MS Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint are required.
Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Word and Excel is required.  (This will be tested).

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Duties

• The Press and Media Coordinator (National/Regional) works under the direct supervision of the Press and Media Specialist or Public Affairs Officer (PAO) designee.  The position has no supervisory responsibilities.  Monitors South African national and regional press and media coverage for issues of importance to the United States.  Identifies and advises Mission leadership on strategies for promoting, accurate, balanced South African press and media coverage of U.S. foreign policy and American interests; correcting misinformation; and countering disinformation.  Builds productive relationships with press and media professionals in person and online.

Qualifications and Evaluations
Requirements:
EXPERIENCE:

•  A minimum of four years of progressively responsible experience in a media outlet, think tank, university, non-governmental organization (NGO), interpersonal organization, foreign embassy, government office, or corporation is required, with responsibility for public relations, public affairs, other media interactions as significant part of the job.

Education Requirements:

• A university degree in Journalism, Communications, International Relations, Political Science, Economics, or local equivalent is required.

Evaluations:
LANGUAGE:

• English (fluent) Speaking/Reading/Writing English is required
• One additional South African official language (fluent) Speaking/Reading/Writing is required.  (This may be tested)

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Analytic Skills:  Ability to identify, analyze, predict, and continually assess attitudes of press and media outlets and information, consumers across a wide range of thematic policy areas is required.  Must have strong analytical skills to match specific  U.S. foreign policy objectives with relevant South African attitudes, perceptions, and stereotypes, and the ability to conceptualize how best to use the full range of PD communication and program tools to move attitudes in positive ways.  Must have the ability to advise senior PD/Mission leaders of opportunities to promote Mission objectives with key audience segments and identify creative approaches to address sensitive challenges.  Must be able to perceive significant changes in the South African influence landscape, and to adjust press/media operations and products to maximise balanced coverage for priority audiences.
• Communication/Interpersonal skills:  Must have excellent customer relations, interpersonal, and cross-cultural  communication skills.  Must be able to identify influential voices in Both traditional and digital information outlets, and engage them to positive effect.  Must be able to communicate effectively in formal and informal situations on nuances of U.S. policy; must have excellent written and oral communication skills to speak publicly; write reports, press releases, and other products, engage in online forums; and contribute to situations.  Must be able to brief U.S. officers and visitors on variety of issues and interpret informally between English and local language for public programs.

Management Skills:  

• Strong event management skills are required.  Must be able to organize and run events such as press conferences, interviews, workshops, and journalism training seminars, often on short notice or in emergencies.

Technical Skills: 

 Good keyboarding and data entry skills are required; excellent familiarity with electronic discovery tools, in particular the internet, and standard information retrieval practices and procedures is required.  Thorough, detailed knowledge of various computer software programs, specifically Microsoft Word, Excel, and databases,  as well as PD-specific software, databases, and reporting tools, is required.  Knowledge of PD-specific funding authorities is required.  Detailed knowledge of and ability to use digital platforms, tools, and products are required.  Must have good numerical skills to develop budget projections and statistics for press and media analytics.  Must have basic familiarity with TV and radio production skills to oversee logistics for live or recorded coverage.  Ability to use social media and mobile platforms, photo editing software, photo and video sharing sites, and to create podcasts are all required skills.