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.

Major duties include, but are not limited to:

• The duties include a wide variety of technical and complicated tasks involving the installation, maintenance, and repair of items such as; patient lifts, med carts, motorized chairs, exercise equipment, whirlpool patient tubs, postal machines, and electric vehicles. The person in this position performs preventative maintenance & adjustments, then documents results in the preventative maintenance log.
• Performs repairs on gas engines, including engine rebuilding for grounds equipment, repair of gear boxes, repair lawn equipment, including weed eaters, chain saws, tractors, gas and diesel, electric and gas personnel carts.
• Performs repairs on Food Service and Nutrition equipment, such as; carts, ovens, steamers, ranges, urns, serving line tables, Retherm carts, chairs, etc. Operates a wide variety of machines and tools including, but not limited to, drill press, grinder, hydraulic press, volt-ohm meter, vacuum test gauge, hydrometer, timing lights, metal lathe, measuring instruments, dial calipers, indicators fork lifts, man lifts and motor vehicles.
• Performs pipefitting installations and repairs on all piping systems, including oxygen, medical air, control air, nitrous oxide, medical vacuum systems, steam, and natural gas i.e. steam heating, steam generation, radiators, circulating pumps, and high-pressure piping systems.
• The incumbent will perform repairs on condensate pumps and the associated systems, medical air pumps, dental air pumps, and hot water circulating pumps using replacement packing, sleeves, bearings, seals, and impellers.
• Developing patterns and laying out, cutting, forming, joining, assembling, and installing items such as heating, air conditioning, and ventilating pipes; conduits; drying ovens; metal furniture; and other items with combined straight and curved edges or irregular curves and planes; Installing, recognizing the causes of faulty equipment and making repairs on large systems that provide for a variety of air conditioning functions such as heating, cooling, humidifying, dehumidifying, cleaning, filtering and circulating.
• He/she works from building plans, blueprints and sketches to plan and lay out routing, placement, pitch, elevation, pressure reduction, expansion and operation of various piping systems and equipment.
• Performs complex repairs on hospital and ward equipment such as hydraulic and electric beds, bed rails, adjustable chairs, stretchers, examining tables, washer dryer sets, patient lifts, auto door operators, med carts, exercise equipment, door alarm systems, pharmacy packaging equipment, and electric mobility scooters.
• Performs all types of welding, i.e., arc, acetylene for the repair of grounds machinery, laundry equipment, and the fabrication of parts using such metals as aluminum, stainless steel, and carbon steel. Prepares jigs and fixtures to hold parts to be welded.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Tuesday - Saturday, 2:00PM - 10:30PM (PST)
Position Description Title/PD#: Maintenance Mechanic/PD21044A
Physical Requirements: The incumbent makes repair and installations from step ladders, extension ladders and lifts, in tunnels, that require lifting, pushing, pulling or carrying objects of varying weights, sizes, and shapes, sometimes in excess of 50 pounds. The incumbent is responsible for maintaining and using all safety equipment issued to him/her, i.e., safety glasses, goggles, steel toed safety shoes, and appropriate clothing when in designated areas where required and for promoting and encouraging their use among fellow employees. He/she is subject to strains due to lack of movement such as standing in place, crouching or stooping for extended periods of time.
Working Conditions: The incumbent is subject to such hazardous conditions as working with power tools, fast moving cutting tools, welding electric and acetylene, exposure to noxious gases and fumes. Infrared and ultraviolet radiation heat, flying sparks, electrical shock, burns, falls from working on slippery or unstable surfaces. Incumbent works with various electrical and air powered tools. He/she is subject to asbestos exposures and chemicals which can cause burns or skin irritations. The work is done indoors and outdoors. Sometimes in wet/cold weather, in areas that will vary from clean rooms to areas that are noisy, dirty, poor ventilation where exposed to dust, grease, soiling of clothing and skin. There is a discomfort when wearing protective clothing, gloves, goggles, or welding helmets.

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
• Pre-employment physical required
• 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.
• 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, 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.02/24/2026

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, "Ability to perform the work of the position without more than normal supervision." Related experience includes: Responsible for the correct and safe maintenance, repair, and or replacement of all equipment and/or systems assigned to the FMS Operations Section, including but not limited to heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, refrigeration, direct digital controls, electronic industrial controls, industrial air compressors, pumps, and tools. Assisting the Work Leads in instructing their assigned staff in the lawful building, mechanical, and electrical codes that govern each skilled trade group/labor pool as a regular and recurring part of his/her job. Constructing interface devices and make modifications to the equipment from sketches and verbal instructions to refine the new system operations. 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. 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.

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
• Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair
• Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading)
• Materials
• Measuring Instruments
• Technical Practices
• Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment

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.

Resume Reminder - Your resume must include the following information for each job listed:

• Job title
• Duties (be as detailed as possible)
• Month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008)
• Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)
• Salary/Rank etc.
• Series and Grade, if applicable, for all Federal positions you have held
• References, current or recent supervisor

Do not include the following types of information in your resume:

• Classified or Government sensitive information
• Social Security Number (SSN)
• Photos of yourself
• Personal information, such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.

Please be aware that your answers will be verified against information provided on your resume. Be sure that your resume clearly supports your responses to all of the questions by addressing your work experience in detail. The experience stated in your resume must support your assessment responses.

Recommended: Even though we do not require a specific resume format, your resume must be clear so that we are able to fully evaluate your qualifications. To ensure you receive appropriate consideration, please list the duties you performed under each individual job title. If we are unable to match your experiences with the positions held, you may lose consideration for this vacancy. We cannot make assumptions regarding your qualifications.

Documents Required:

• Resume

Documents Accepted:

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (VA)
• Other (1)
• PCS Orders
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• 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