Laborer

Clarification from the agency

The IHS is required by law to give absolute preference to qualified applicants who meet the Secretary of the Interior's definition of Indian for appointment to vacancies within the IHS in accordance with established IHS policy as outlined in the Indian Health Manual Part 7, Chapter 3.

This job is also open in another announcement to:

Federal employees - Competitive service

Federal employees - Excepted service

Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

Land and base management

Veterans

National Guard and reserves

Individuals with disabilities

Native Americans

Peace Corps & AmeriCorps Vista

• Performs general maintenance tasks such as replacing ceiling tiles, hanging pictures, moving furniture and equipment, emptying trash, washing windows, cleaning supply and return grilles, unplugging drains with plunger. Uses high pressure washer to clean areas and equipment. Utilizes lift, pallet jack, and other related equipment to complete assignments.
• Performs grounds maintenance duties such as mowing with large or complex riding mowers, tilling, edging, cutting trees and shrubs with chain saw, picking up trash, raking graveled patio areas, and manually watering lawns with hoses and sprinklers. Digs and fills holes or trenches. Breaks up concrete or asphalt using jackhammer. Rakes and levels areas for landscaping.
• Hauls materials and supplies to mechanical rooms, shops, and roof.
• Cleans various areas in and around the clinic such as Maintenance shop, Maintenance Plant, grounds, roof, and penthouses.
• Picks up and delivers supplies, parts, and equipment from suppliers to the Service Unit and from the store rooms to maintenance locations.
• Performs cleaning tasks as assigned and reports any problems or situations.
• Vacuums, sweeps and mops floors and maintains floors such as concrete, sheet vinyl, and carpet. Uses residential, commercial, and industrial cleaning equipment such as buffers, vacuums, and shampooers. Performs routine maintenance on equipment operated.
• PHYSICAL EFFORT:Incumbent regularly exerts very heavy physical effort in operating large, riding mowers on grades and in areas with bushes, trees, and other visible obstacles that require significant maneuvering and lever control. Incumbent also frequently lifts and moves equipment and components weighing over 75 pounds; frequently pushes heavy furniture on pallet jacks, dollies, loaded carts, and skids. Ability to work in the heat and cold; may be called upon to run or jump during elopements or emergencies.
• WORKING CONDITIONS:Employee is frequently exposed to weather and temperature extremes, drafts, noise, dust and dirt. Employee works both inside and outside. When working outside, employee is exposed to weather conditions. Inside work is performed in government quarters units and the clinic which are lighted, heated, and ventilated. The equipment, tools, and tasks involved at this level frequently require extreme care and use of safety gloves, ear plugs, safety glasses, or respirators to avoid severe injuries. Employee shall follow safety procedures and use standard safety equipment such as gloves, ear protectors, safety glasses and steel-toe shoes.

Conditions of employment

• Selectee may be subject to a probationary period
• U.S. Citizenship is required
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• This is a designated position covered by Public Law 101-630, requiring contact or control over Indian children. Due to this requirement, the agency must ensure that persons hired for these positions have not been found guilty of or pleaded nolo contendere or guilty to certain crimes.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/.
• You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you.

Background Investigation Requirement:
This position requires the successful completion of a federal background investigation as a condition of employment.

A background investigation is a standard process used by the Federal Government to verify an individual's identity, employment history, education, and other relevant information to determine suitability for Federal service.

Upon receipt of instructions, applicants must complete all required background investigation forms within five (5) calendar days of issuance. Timely completion is critical to avoid delays in processing or a determination of unsuitability.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to prioritize this requirement and to maintain regular communication with their assigned Personnel Security Specialist throughout the process.

Financial Suitability Requirement:
This position requires a review of the applicant's financial history as part of the personnel security and suitability determination. Applicants must demonstrate financial responsibility, maintain good standing with creditors, and satisfy all legal financial obligations prior to applying.

Individuals with substantial delinquent or unresolved financial obligations-including, but not limited to, delinquent federal or state tax liabilities, defaulted federal student loans, court-ordered fines or fees, or child support arrears-may be deemed unsuitable for employment with the Indian Health Service (IHS).

Prior to the appointment, candidates must present two valid forms of identification. If one of the documents is a state-issued ID or driver's license, it must be REAL ID-compliant.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying. 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; religious; spiritual; community; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

BASIC REQUIREMENT(S):
Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Federal Wage System Qualifications. For this position, the job element method is used to match what you, the applicant, can do against what the work calls for. Your knowledge, skills and abilities will be compared to the knowledge, skills and abilities (called job elements) needed for success.

Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element - Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision (Screen-out Element): The ability to perform the work of a Laborer, without more than normal supervision. Following oral or written instructions and/or work orders; perform basic building maintenance duties such as replacing ceiling tile, painting, changing light bulbs, caulking, and door hardware; perform janitorial/custodial duties such as, emptying outdoor trash bins, picking up trash, and cleaning windows; and grounds maintenance duties, including mowing, trimming, blowing clippings, washing off entrances, landscaping, performing ice and snow removal from sidewalks and entrance ways; and performing cleanup of spills, debris, and litter from outside areas and in maintenance areas.

Applicants who appear to meet the screen-out element are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated from consideration. The potential eligibles are rated against the remainder of the job elements. While a specific length of training and experience is not required, your responses to the questionnaire must be supported by detailed descriptions of your experience on your resume.

You will be rated on the following Job Elements as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position:
- Ability to Do the Work of the Position without More Than Normal Supervision Element 1 (Screen-out)
- Ability To Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (other than blueprints)
- Ability To Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
- Dexterity and Safety

You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.

How you will be evaluated

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

If you meet the minimum qualifications requirements for this position, your application will be evaluated and rated under Category Rating selection procedures. Once the application process is complete, a review of your qualifications will be conducted to determine if you are qualified for this job. Qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category. The quality categories are: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Within each of these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-preference eligibles.

To determine if you are qualified for this position, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against the qualifications as defined in the qualifications section of this vacancy announcement.

• Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision (Screen-out Element)
• Ability To Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (other than blueprints)
• Ability To Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
• Dexterity and Safety

The following links below provide information on how you may be eligible for various hiring authorities. If you are a Veteran, qualified CTAP and ICTAP eligible, or an individual with a disability, please refer to the following links below for additional guidance. Information about CTAP and ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management's Workforce Restructuring Career Transition website at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/. CTAP/ICTAP documentation requirements are listed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

• Veterans, i.e. (VEOA, VRA, and 30% or more disabled) - https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/veterans-services/vet-guide-for-hr-professionals/
• Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) - https://www.ihs.gov/jobs/support-documents/
• Interagency Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) - https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/
• Schedule A Appointments for the Disabled - https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/disability-employment/hiring/

Click here to view vacancy questions: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13093554.

All documents above MUST be received by 11:59 pm (Eastern Standard Time) of the closing date of, 11/04/2026, to be considered.

USAJOBS Help Center - Update your resume now so it meets new resume requirements.

Resume: You are highly encouraged to visit the USAJOBS Help Center before submitting a resume. USAJOBS Help Center - https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include

Required as applicable for the purposes of specific eligibility and appointment claim(s), and position requirements:

• Indian Preference Applicants: If claiming Indian preference, applicants must provide a completed copy of the Form BIA-4432, "Verification of Indian Preference for Employment in the BIA and IHS Only." Indian preference will not be given unless a properly signed and dated form is submitted with your application, including any verification by an authorized Tribal Representative or BIA Official of tribal enrollment records. For detailed instructions, see form BIA-4432. Refer to BIA-4432 link: Verification of Indian Preference for Employment in the BIA and IHS When an Indian Preference candidate possesses Veterans preference the rules regarding Veterans preference apply under ESEP and the applicant must provide documentation in order to receive preference.
• Veterans Preference: If claiming Veteran's Preference provide a copy of your DD214 Form (Member 4 copy). To claim 10-Point Veterans Preference, submit a SF-15 Application (http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf) along with the appropriate supporting documentation. For additional information regarding Veterans Preference visit: http://www.fedshirevets.gov.
• Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): If you are claiming CTAP/ICTAP, follow the instructions below: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/ctap_guideline.pdf.
• Current or former Federal employee: Include your most recent SF-50 or if Reinstatement eligible include your Career SF-50.
• Noncompetitive eligibles: Submit additional documents to prove your eligibility to apply to this vacancy.

You must meet the requirements of the job by 11:59 pm (Eastern Standard Time) of the closing date: 11/04/2026

Next steps