Appendix II

Knowledge, Skill, and Ability Elements for the Maintenance Selection System

I. Introduction

A. Purpose

The purpose of this appendix is to provide examples of the types of questions which applicants may be asked to address when applying for positions covered by the Maintenance Selection System. The questions are designed to elicit information from applicants with regard to their experience, training, or education which may indicate possession of the knowledge, skill, or ability by the applicants.

B. Positions Covered by this Appendix

A list of the positions covered by the Maintenance Selection System and for which this appendix is applicable can be found in Management Instruction EL-520-85-4.

C. Positions Not Covered by this Appendix

Some positions in the Maintenance Craft are not covered by the Maintenance Selection System. These positions normally use "B- elements" on the qualification standard. Appendix I is applicable to these positions. The appropriate rating form for these positions is Form 1796.

D. Rating Applicants' Qualifications

For the appropriate procedures to follow when rating applicants, see Management Instruction EL-520-85-4, dated 7-2-85.

II. List of Elements and Questions
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, pneumatics, and hydraulic devices.

Show through education/training and work experience that you have a working knowledge of basic mechanical, pneumatic, and hydraulic principles as they apply to:

(A) Power transmission--such as gears, sprockets and chains, belts and pulleys

(B) Power translation--such as cams and cam followers, linkages, springs

(C) Friction reduction--such as bushings, bearings

(D) Fasteners--such as screws, nuts and bolts, pins, rings, clips, couplings

Briefly tell of the machinery/equipment you are familiar with; describe the types of maintenance performed. Also, describe your experience in using hoisting and rigging equipment.

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.

Show through education/training and work experience that you have a working knowledge of basic electrical principles as they apply to:

(A) Hardware/components--such as relays, switches, resistors, circuit breakers, etc.

(B) AC and DC circuitry--as in circuit analysis, schematic interpretation

Briefly tell of the electrical equipment (small units, large systems) you are familiar with; describe the types of maintenance performed.

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.

Show through education/training and work experience that you have a working knowledge of basic electronic principles as they apply to:

(A) Hardware/components--such as solid state devices (diodes, transistors, etc.), coils, capacitors, etc.

(B) AC and DC circuitry--as in circuit analysis, schematic interpretation, etc.

Briefly tell of the electronic equipment (small systems, large systems) you are familiar with; describe the type of maintenance performed.

4. Knowledge of digital electronics refers to the terminology, characteristics, symbology, and operation of digital components as used in such things as logic gates, registers, adders, counters, memories, encoders, and decoders.

Show through education/training and work experience that you have a working knowledge of digital principles as they apply to:

(A) Digital circuit components--as in registers, adders, counters, memories, flip-flops, encoders, decoders, etc.

(B) Digital circuitry--as in circuit analysis, schematic interpretation, etc.

Briefly tell of the digital electronic equipment (small systems, large systems) you are familiar with; describe the types of maintenance performed.

6. Knowledge of basic computer concepts refers to the terminology, usage, and characteristics of digital memory storage/processing devices such as core memory, input-out peripherals, and familiarity with programming concepts.

Show through education/training and work experience that you have a working knowledge of basic computer concepts as they apply to:

(A) Hardware--as in input-output peripherals, memory units, central processor units, etc.

(B) Software--as in programming concepts, etc.

Briefly tell of the computer systems you are familiar with; describe the types of operations performed.

7. Knowledge of mail processing equipment operation refers to the knowledge of machine operation such as safety considerations, start-up, shut-down, and operating characteristics of mail processing equipment such as conveyors, letter sorters, and cancellers.

Show through education/training and work experience that you have an operating knowledge of mail processing equipment as applied to:

(A) Safety considerations--as in machine start-up, operation, shut-down

(B) Operating characteristics of machines--as of conveyors, letter sorters, cancellers, etc.

Briefly tell of the mail processing equipment systems you are familiar with; describe your responsibilities for their continued operation.

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.

Show through training and work experience that you have a working knowledge of lubricants as they apply to:

(A) Lubrication materials--such as oils, greases, etc.

(B) Lubrication procedures--as in application techniques, storage, disposal, etc.

Briefly tell of the machinery on which you have used lubrication procedures; describe the types of lubrication procedures used.

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.

Show through training and work experience that you have a working knowledge of cleaning process as it is applied to:

(A) Cleaning materials--such as alcohols, solvents, detergents, degreasers

(B) Cleaning procedures--as in hand methods, machine methods (compressed air, vacuum cleaners)

Briefly tell of the machinery on which you have used cleaning procedures; describe the types of cleaning procedures used.

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.

Show through education/training and work experience that you have a working knowledge of the National Electrical Code as it applies to:

(A) Techniques and procedures--as in electrical installations (circuit protection, wiring, conduit,
Briefly describe the electrical installations, modifications, and repairs made.

11. Knowledge of metals and metallurgy refers to the terminology, working properties, and other characteristics of metals used in equipment and machine maintenance applications such as heat treating, tempering, machining, bending, and inspecting.

Show through education/training and work experience that you have a working knowledge of metals and metallurgy (the study of metals and their properties) as they apply to:

(A) Machine maintenance applications--such as heat treating, tempering, machining, bending, etc.
Briefly tell of the metals you are familiar with; describe the types of maintenance applications performed.

12. Knowledge of refrigeration refers to the theory, terminology, usage, and characteristics of refrigeration principles as they apply to such things as the refrigeration cycle, compressors, condensers, receivers, evaporators, metering devices, and refrigerant oils.

Show through education/training and work experience that you have a working knowledge of refrigeration principles as they apply to:

(A) Components/units--compressors, condensers, receivers, evaporators, metering devices, etc.

(B) Refrigeration cycle

Briefly tell of the refrigeration systems (home, industrial) you are familiar with; describe the types of maintenance performed.

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.

Show through education/training and work experience that you have an operating knowledge of HVAC equipment as applied to:

(A) Safety considerations--as in start-up, operation, shut-down

(B) Operating characteristics of HVAC equipment--such as of chillers, direct expansion units, window units, heating equipment, etc.

Briefly tell of the HVAC equipment (small, large units) you are familiar with; describe the types of maintenance performed.

14. Knowledge of elevator equipment refers to the knowledge of equipment operation, safety considerations, and operating characteristics of hydraulic and electric traction elevator equipment; including roping, controllers, and dispatchers.

Show through education/training and work experience that you have an operating knowledge of elevator equipment as applied to:

(A) Equipment components--such as roping, controllers, dispatchers, etc.

(B) Equipment operation--as to safety considerations (start-up, shut-down)

(C) Operating characteristics--such as hydraulic, electric traction, electronic controls, etc.

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.

Show through education/training and work experience that you have a working knowledge of carpentry as applied to:

(A) Wooden structures and projects--as in constructing, framing, repairing, finishing, etc.
Briefly tell of the carpentry projects you have completed; describe the types of carpentry applications performed.

16. Knowledge of masonry construction refers to techniques, procedures, and materials used in mortar, concrete, stucco, plaster, brick, block, and tile construction, and replacement projects.

Show through education/training and work experience that you have a working knowledge of masonry as applied to:

(A) Materials--such as mortar, concrete, stucco, plaster, brick, etc.

(B) Techniques and procedures--as in construction and repair projects

Briefly tell of the masonry projects you have completed; describe the types of masonry construction/repairs performed.

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.

Show through education/training and work experience that you have a working knowledge of plumbing as applied to:

(A) Installations--as in pipes, tubing, etc.

(B) Repairs--as to flush and float valves, etc.

(C) Cleaning--as in drains, etc.

Briefly tell of plumbing projects you have completed; describe the plumbing applications used.

18. Knowledge of painting refers to the terminology, materials, techniques, and procedures used in painting applications such as surface preparations, application procedures, and usage of prtective/identifying materials (e.g., enamels, varnishes, plastics, stains, sealants, decals), and painting equipment.

Show through education/training and work experience that you have a working knowledge of painting as applied to:

(A) Materials--such as enamels, varnishes, plastics, stains, sealants, decals, etc.

(B) Procedures--as in surface preparation, application techniques, etc.

(C) Painting equipment

Briefly tell of the types of painting projects you have completed; describe the painting procedures used.

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.

Show through education/training and work experience that you have the ability to perform complex mathematics as applied in:

(A) Mechanical applications

(B) Electrical applications

(C) Electronic applications

Briefly tell of the types of math used to resolve problems in the above areas.

24. Ability to communicate in writing refers to transmitting written information (e.g., equipment status, recommended repairs) to maintenance, operations, and other personnel.

Show through education/training and work experience that you have the ability to communicate in writing to:

(A) Maintenance

(B) Operations

(C) Other personnel

Briefly tell of log entries, data form entries, prepared notes and reports of equipment status, recommended repairs, etc., in the transmitting of written information.

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.

Show through education/training and work experience that you have a working knowledge of portable power tools used for the following applications:

(A) Mechanical

(B) Electrical

(C) Electronic

Briefly tell of the types of portable power tools you are familiar with; describe work performed.

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.

Show through education/training and work experience that you have a working knowledge in the use of shop power equipment, such as bench grinders, drill presses, and table/band saws.

Briefly tell of the type of shop machinery you are familiar with; describe work performed.

34. Ability to use information retrieval systems refers to the operation of computer terminals or other peripherals as control, information monitoring, or diagnostic devices for obtaining reports or information.

Show through education/training and work experience that you have a working knowledge of information retrieval systems as to the:

(A) Operation of computer terminals or other peripherals to enter and exit a system; to use the system's programs

(B) Retrieving and interpreting reports for diagnostic and information purposes

Briefly tell of the systems you are familiar with; describe purpose for operating system.

35. Ability to use technical drawings refers to the ability to read and comprehend technical materials such as diagrams, schematics, flow charts, and blueprints.

Show through education/training and work experience that you have a working knowledge in the use of technical drawings (e.g., diagrams, blueprints, schematics).

Briefly tell of the types of technical drawings you are familiar with; describe the types of work performed.

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.

Show through education/training and work experience that you have a working knowledge in the use of test equipment (such as VOMs, oscilloscopes, amprobes).

Briefly tell of the types of test equipment you are familiar with; describe work performed.

37. Ability to solder refers to the knowledge of, and the ability to safely and effectively apply, the appropriate soldering techniques.

Show through education/training and work experience that you have a working knowledge of appropriate soldering techniques.

Briefly tell of the types of soldering equipment you are familiar with; describe the soldering techniques used.

38. Ability to cut and weld refers to the knowledge of, and the ability to safely and effectively apply, the appropriate gas and electric cutting, welding, and brazing techniques and procedures used in equipment and machine maintenance applications.

Show through education/training and work experience that you have a working knowledge of welding in the areas of gas and electric cutting, welding, and brazing.

Briefly tell of types of equipment with which you are familiar; describe types of work performed.

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