Wage Grade Academy

Target Audience:

Wage Grade employees and other maintenance professionals working in or directly supporting the FWS and NPS maintenance programs (equipment operators, maintenance workers, tractor operators, animal caretakers, mechanics, boat operators, etc.) with at least 3 years of experience in their agency and not within 2 years of retirement. 

Summary and Objectives:

This course will enhance participants’ knowledge, skills, and abilities in the maintenance field to effectively support their agency and work site missions and goals. Participants will develop a greater understanding of project management, historical conservation, and personal career development, while also learning about trade skills, asset management, and workplace safety. Through fostering effective communication and leadership skills as well as encouraging peer collaboration, this course aims to create a skilled, informed, and safety-conscious community of maintenance professionals committed to excellence in their field.

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Explain how their work as a maintenance professional supports their agency and site missions and goals. 
• Create and present a project management plan.  
• Describe the roles and responsibilities maintenance professionals have in conserving their agency’s history and historic structures. 
• Develop a personal career development plan to direct their career development. 
• Utilize newly acquired trade skills and knowledge about new equipment to complete maintenance projects. 
• Leverage agency asset management and real property programs, adhering to established policies and procedures to optimize efficiency and compliance. 
• Describe their agency’s roles and responsibilities for employee safety, identify common workplace hazards, and follow safety protocols while performing maintenance duties.   
• Utilize best practices in leadership and interpersonal skills to interact more effectively with supervisors and colleagues.  
• Engage with peers to share best practices and build connections within the maintenance professional community. 

Competency Addressed:

Attention to Detail - Basic, Interpersonal Skills - Intermediate, Leveraging Technology - Awareness, Mission Focus - Basic, Organizational Awareness - Basic, Problem Solving - Intermediate, Relationship Management - Basic, Self-Awareness - Basic, Safety - Awareness, Teamwork - Intermediate