Electronic Industrial Controls Mechanic

Clarification from the agency

ALL US CITIZENS DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.201) for this occupation. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) approved Direct Hire Authority (DHA) VA-010, in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 3304(a)(3) and 5 C.F.R. 337.205(b)(1)-(4), for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA) based on their critical hiring needs.

• Performs preventive maintenance on electronic control systems to include disassembly, cleaning, reassembly, and calibration.
• Programs controllers such as programmable logic controllers and variable frequency drives.
• Integrates and balances building controllers on the controls network.
• Installs and maintains highly complex systems of electronic sensing and control used in the building automation system.
• Repairs facility equipment instruments and controls.
• Modifies environmental control systems to meet specific and critical conditions.
• Plans and lays out work from schematics, block diagrams, wiring diagrams, and technical orders.
• Interprets manufacturers' handbooks and technical manuals to determine how repairs need to be made.
• Interprets electrical schematic wiring diagrams used for industrial equipment.
• Interprets gauge or meter readings to determine system condition and proper operation.
• Interprets control signals used for control and monitoring of devices, controllers, valves, fans, motors, and frequency drives.
• Re-calibrates controls to maintain proper system operation.
• Troubleshoots communication links with local area networks.
• Troubleshoots the building automation system.
• Analyzes diagnostic test readings and operating conditions to isolate system malfunctions.
• Devises solutions for operational problems by constructing devices and making modifications to the equipment from sketches and verbal instructions.
• Develops and implements service and maintenance schedules and procedures for the systems and associated components based on a comprehensive knowledge of operating principles, trade practice, and manufacturer's recommendations.
• Visits work site and analyzes, evaluates, and determines damage when planning repair and modification projects.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. EST
Position Description Title/PD#: Electronic Industrial Controls Mechanic/PD523-021830
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).
Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year).
Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement).
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Physical Requirements: Work assignments require moderate physical effort. Employees frequently lift, carry, or otherwise handle items weighing up to 40 pounds. Occasionally they handle items greater than 40 pounds. Assistance is usually available with heavy items. They work in a sitting position for extended periods. Frequent standing, walking, bending, crouching, reaching, and stooping is required. Occasionally, climbing and work in high places may be required. Work is usually performed inside in well lighted, heated, and ventilated areas. When equipment is fixed in place, it is sometimes necessary to work in warehouse or industrial areas exposed to loud noises, heat or cold, fumes, etc. Employees are subject to injuries, such as electric shock, cuts and bruises, as well as burns caused by electrical energy or soldering irons.

Notifications:

• This position is in the Competitive Service.
• This position is not a Bargaining Unit position.
• This position is covered by a special rate range for federal wage system skilled positions.
• Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation.
• 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 Services Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• 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.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary 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, 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.

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
• Electronics
• Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair
• Ingenuity
• Test Equipment - Electronics
• Troubleshooting (Electronic Equipment)
• Use Hand and Power Tools - Electronics

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.

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. Applicants will be referred in the order in which they were received.

Documents Required:

• Resume

Documents Accepted:

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• Other (1)
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Please review the above list(s) to ensure you have included all necessary documents required for your application. Not every applicant will require the same documents, therefore it is the applicants responsibility to ensure that their application package includes all necessary documents to determine qualifications and eligibility for appointment, such as a copy of your SF-50, transcript, ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information. Applicants will be deemed ineligible if supporting documentation is not submitted.

Veterans' Preference: Since the Direct-Hire Recruitment Authority is being used, traditional Veterans' Preference rules do not apply. Qualified veterans will, however, be given full consideration for this position.

Applications are accepted online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.

Next steps