The Netherlands Embassy in Washington, D.C.  has two full-time (40 hours) local contract positions available with a competitive salary in a dynamic, challenging and international environment with good benefits. The jobs are being offered at pay scale 5 for a fixed term of 2 years with a probationary period of two months.

For more information about the content of these positions, please contact Winfred Deerenberg, Head of Facility Management, email: winfred.deerenberg@minbuza.nl

Closing date for applications: May 8th, 2024

Starting date: as soon as possible
Indicative monthly gross salary: $4859 gross (pay scale 5, step 0)
401K Plan is offered. Health/Dental/Vision is provided on a 72%-28% Employer-Employee basis.

The Government of the Netherlands pursues an active diversity policy and is committed to an inclusive organization. We do this by optimally deploying and utilizing people's differences. When composing teams and recruiting new talent, we strive for diversity in age, gender, culture, background, orientation, knowledge and competences.

*This vacancy is open to internal (local employees and partners of officials posted to a Mission in the US) and external candidates. If a local employee and a partner of an official posted to a Mission are equally qualified, the local employee shall be given priority. Furthermore, if an internal candidate and an external candidate are equally qualified, the internal candidate shall be given priority.

** As per US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), employers in the US are required to ensure that all employees have the legal right to work in the US.

The Facilities and Maintenance Engineer provides direct assistance in managing and maintaining buildings, installations, grounds and contents and deals with breakdowns.  The Facilities and Maintenance Engineer is accountable to the Head of Facility Management  for the management and maintenance of buildings, installations and contents and for dealing with breakdowns.

Safety regulations, work instructions and occupational health and safety regulations are applicable.

The Facilities and Maintenance Engineer advises on decisions to be taken how to deal with breakdowns, when carrying out maintenance on buildings or contents and when carrying out or supervising maintenance of the grounds.

Tasks

• Monitoring of proper and safe functioning of the infrastructural facilities of the Chancery, Ambassador's Residence and other residences owned by the Embassy, and ensuring that the installations (continue to) meet the legal requirements;
• Assisting in Maintaining the technical installations belonging to the Chancery, Ambassador's Residence and other residences owned by the Embassy;
• Monitoring BMS/BAS systems
• Carry out repairs of the technical facilities as needed;
• Supervision of third-party workers within the building and monitor proper execution of the work performed by such workers;
• A proactive approach with respect to recommendations for preventive maintenance of technical installations and management of maintenance duties;
• Online research and purchasing (in store and online) a variety of things needed for FM;
• Online selling or donating of obsolete inventory;
• Assisting with operating audio/visual equipment during events;
• Various small “handyman” tasks (hanging paintings, touchup painting, minor drywall work etc.)
• General Assistance and Support tasks (moving furniture, setting up rooms for meetings and events etc.)

Framework

• Facility officer is accountable to the Facilities manager of the embassy for the way in which duties are carried out.
• An overtime allowance according to LSR/PUW is granted for the hours outside regular working hours.

Contacts

• Contacts with Ambassador and deputy Chief of mission and their immediate family
• Contacts with staff and their family on the other owned properties
• Contacts with contractors, visitors and embassy staff to ensure that applicable rules are observed (safety, security etc.).

Knowledge and skill requirements

• At least 2 years of hands on Maintenance experience in Commercial and Residential Properties
• Wide range of technical expertise and skills (generalist)
• Expertise in and experience with Building Automation Systems
• Expertise in and experience with smaller maintenance tasks (handyman)
• Able to work with a high level of independency as well as a team player
• In possession of a valid driver’s license .
• Coordination skills
• Good communication skills
• Capable of working in a team

Competencies

• integrity
• Commitment to quality (setting high standards for the delivery of services)
• Client orientation (ascertaining the wishes, interest and needs of clients)
• Ability to work with others
• Initiative
• Flexibility

Level of education

• Intermediate level (or better) Professional Training (e.g. Intermediate Professional Training in Mechanical Engineering/Climate Control Technology and/or Electrical engineering);
• CFC certification, HVAC apprentice license and/or HVAC air condition, heat pump training course or willingness to enroll and successfully finish these courses.
• 3-5 years relevant work experience;
• Excellent verbal skills in English;
• Additional training, knowledge or experience in the field of maintenance, technical, safety and security is a plus.

Work environment

The Netherlands Embassy in Washington D.C. represents the affairs of the Government of the Netherlands in the United States of America. The Embassy is located at 4200 Linnean avenue, with 72,000 square feet of privately owned office space. In addition, the Embassy owns 4 properties among which the residence of the Ambassador. A total of around 100 employees (multi-cultural) work at the Embassy. Facilities Management is one of the five units under the department of operational affairs and consists of a team of 13 (+3 cleaning-porters contractors). The other units are: HR, Consular, General affairs and IT. 

All FM staff that is working for the Embassy are locally hired staff or contractors of the embassy.

Staff member profile

The Facilities and Maintenance Engineer has a high integrity profile and is aware of working in a high profile environment. The Facilities and Maintenance Engineer ensures a professional appearance of the Embassy building and high level of support services.

The Facilities and Maintenance Engineer is flexible (this includes the possibility to work nonstandard hours) and has to organize, schedule and coordinate work with and work performed by contractors.

Other information

These positions are for an initial period of 24 months. With a probationary period of 2 months.

Contact

For further information about this position contact:
Winfred Deerenberg, Head of Facility Management
Email: winfred.deerenberg@minbuza.nl

Diversity

The Netherlands Government celebrates all forms of diversity and is deeply committed to foster an inclusive environment within its organization. Individuals interested in advancing these diversity goals are strongly encouraged to apply