Clarification from the agency

This job is open to current VHA employees ONLY. If you are not a current VHA employee, please do not apply.

The duties include, but are not limited too:

• Installs, modifies and reworks locking devices, maintains, repairs, or replaces locks to doors, windows, narcotic boxes, medicine and file cabinets, lockers, laundry chutes, electric panels, padlocks, burglar alarms, special locks used in detention areas, x-ray developing areas, and other areas where due to unusual conditions the area must be made secure temporarily or for an indefinite length of time
• Repairs or replaces broken or worn lock parts often by machining or handcrafting the part if it is obsolete
• Adds or removes key combinations to meet the needs of each of the hospital services, making certain to keep all keying within approved hospital system; and establishes new combinations
• Works closely with management to determine the most suitable locks to be used in throughout the medical center
• Opens jammed locks when mechanisms malfunction or have been forcibly damaged or tampered with by picking or whatever method that does the lease amount of damage to government property
• Disassembles locks while closely inspecting them for took marks, abrasions, and misaligned parts which would indicate the possibility of an attempted "break in". All lock work must be precision done for smooth operation
• Services and repairs safe and vault doors, hinges, and locking arms
• Calibrates dials, changes combinations, services tumbler nest, etc. and tests to be sure safe is operating properly
• Cuts all keys for use by hospital personnel, codes them for identification and services key duplicating machine to keep it in good operating condition
• Maintains electronic prox card locks for medication rooms, computer rooms, pharmacy, warehouse and other secure areas
• Uses personal computer to assign prox cards to necessary employees
• Uses hand held computer to reprogram locks as needed
• Assembles, test, and evaluates the completed locking device to ensure it properly secures

Work Schedule: 0730am-1600pm
Position Description Title/PD#: Locksmith/PD06626A

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• 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 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, 04/27/2026.

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:

• Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair
• Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading)
• Measuring Instruments
• Technical Practices
• Troubleshooting
• Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
• Without more than normal supervision

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.

Skill and Knowledge:

• Knowledge of construction, operation, and functional characteristics of locking devices
• Thorough knowledge of the full range of locking devices and their parts in order to select substitute parts, rework and finishing substitute parts and fabricating parts to close fits
• In-depth knowledge of neutralization techniques to determine if locking devices have been tampered with
• Skill in experimenting with various types of materials such as metals, alloys, and plastics to develop parts and components
• Ability to select appropriate materials to consider strength and hardness, machining characteristics, environmental factors, and the extent to which the materials used could complicate or hamper the use of standard neutralization techniques
• Broad knowledge of the functions and capabilities of commercially manufactured locking devices, as well as their working interrelationships with a variety of equipment such as monitors, alarms, timing mechanisms, and sensors to provide management with recommendations regarding the most suitable locks to be used for security
• Knowledge of the full installation and repair cycle on commercially manufactured locking devices to assemble, test and evaluate the completed locking devices
• Skill in manufacturing replacement parts, devising or changing combinations, establishing mastery keying systems, neutralizing lockouts, and a variety of installation and repair processes such as filing, drilling, chiseling, and grinding
• Skill in reworking and finishing substitute arts and fabricating parts to close fits
• Skill in improvising and applying neutralization techniques in order to not damage the locking devices and security containers on doors during lockout situations
• Skill in the adjustment, maintenance, and use of small hand tools such as files, tweezers, tension wrenches, as well as the adjustment and use of powered tools common to the trade such as key duplicating and coding machines, grinders and stamping machines

Customer Service:

• Meets the needs of customers while supporting VA missions
• Consistently communicates and treats customers (veterans, their representatives, visitors, and all VA (staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner
• Provides the customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures
• Handles conflicts and problems in dealing with the customer constructively and appropriately.

ADP Security:
Protects printed and electronic files containing sensitive data in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws, federal regulations, VA statues and policy, and VHA policy
Protects the data from unauthorized release or from loss, alteration, or unauthorized deletion
Follows applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files, release of access codes, etc., as set out in the computer access agreement that the employee signs

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: Frequently stands, stoops, bends, kneels and works in awkward positions while installing, repairing and modifying locks. Required to lift objects weighing up to 50 pounds.

Working Conditions: Work is normally done inside in areas that are well lighted, heated and ventilated. Occasionally work is done outside the inclement weather or in areas that area drafty and poorly lighted. Incumbent is exposed to the possibility of cuts, scrapes and bruises.

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

What am I required to have in my resume?

• Contact Information-your name and the best way to contact you.
• Relevant work experience-include the employer's name, job title, start and end dates (month/year), the number of hours worked per week and describe how you meet the required qualifications of the job. Federal jobs should include series and grade.
• Education, certifications or licensures-If the job announcement requires any education, certifications or licensures, include the required information. If required, include school or institution name, completion date, degree type and GPA.

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)
• License
• Miscellaneous
• PCS Orders
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Time in Grade and/or Eligibility):

• Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee
• An SF-50 showing your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade
• Award 50's do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted for the purpose of verifying time-in-grade.
• Examples of appropriate SF-50's include:
  • Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or
  • Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or
  • SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.

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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