Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to: 1) Current, Permanent Employees of VA San Diego; 2) Current, Permanent Employees of Department of Veterans Affairs; 3) All other Status Candidates.

Major duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Communicates with both patients and staff on all information related to wheelchair/scooter status or delivery or repair to ensure there is a cooperative and well-planned office approach to patient care.
• Provides a central wheelchair and repair shop for expeditious service to eligible and entitled veterans.
• Creates significant cost savings in the repair of patient wheelchairs, scooters and rehabilitative medical equipment.
• Establishes work methods and procedures to test, diagnose and repair all electric/electronic components associated with motorized wheelchairs and electric-motorized 3 and 4-wheel carts that are out of factory warranty.
• Repairs and maintains all components of an electric wheelchair and cart to include the supporting battery charger units.
• Makes repairs that can be accomplished by removing, replacing, tightening, splicing, insulating and soldering defective wiring, controls, motors, power modules including intricate printed circuits, replacement of switches, relays, micro-chips, fetes, transistors and diodes.
• Inspected by the incumbent for acceptance or return to the vendor or factory for repair or replacement.
• Assembles, energizes, adjusts and tests new power wheelchairs before issuance to severely handicapped patients and accomplishes necessary modifications for hand or chin controls, various supportive or restrictive devices such as straps, belts and postural supports for maximum benefit to the patient in the operations of the power wheelchair.
• Maintains requesting and assignment of all tools and equipment used in the wheelchair and warehousing function.
• Ensure that adequate equipment and tools are on hand to ensure the capability to repair all updated components of the power/manual wheelchairs and carts.
• Installs of oxygen tank holders, seat height adjustment, robotic arms, environmental control switches, remote switch controls, installation of custom molded seating systems, etc.
• Performs installation of various postural support devices such as straps, belts and supports for maximum benefit to the patient in the operations of the wheelchair.
• Assists the clinical Wheelchair Clinic team and P&SAS staff in determining the most appropriate vehicle lift based upon the medical equipment prescribed, the type of vehicle and the Veteran's physical limitations.
• Support centralized and efficient line of communication for patients related to the repair of patient wheelchairs, scooters and rehabilitative medical equipment through approved modifications completed at the facility level.
• Provides education to patients, family members, and/or caregivers on basic maintenance and service recommendations of power and manual wheelchairs.
• Performs all duties of a Warehouseman in the Therapy Services - Wheelchair Repair Section of SCI/D HCG.
• Sets the overall guidelines for warehousing techniques including space utilization, cleanliness, stock rotation and safety precautions.
• Possess a government purchase card (not to exceed the current single purchase limit) and complete the required annual purchase card training.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: 7:00AM - 3:30PM Monday through Friday
Position Description Title/PD#: Electrical Equipment Repairer/PD148620
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Pre-employment physical required
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period or trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/27/2025.

EXPERIENCE: A specific length of training and experience is not required, but you must show evidence of training or experience of sufficient scope and quality of your ability to do the work of this position. Evidence which demonstrates you possess the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the duties of this position must be supported by detailed descriptions of such on your resume. Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Federal Wage System Qualification Standards.

SCREEN-OUT ELEMENT: Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element, which usually appears as question 1 in the on-line questionnaire. Those applicants who appear to possess at least the minimal acceptable qualification requirement are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated. The potential eligibles are then rated against the remainder of the Job Elements:

• Ability to Do the Work of the Position without More Than Normal Supervision
• Administration and Management
• Analysis and Problem Solving
• Customer Service
• Facilities
• Operations Support

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions:
The incumbent must be physically able to lift and handle heavy objects while assembling, repairing and installing various electrical/mechanical apparatus related to the trade. He/she is also required to push, pull, reach, walk, stand, crawl, kneel, bend and to work from ladders and scaffolds over and around equipment for extended periods of time.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• Proof of Marriage Status
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

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