Maintenance Mechanic Job in Chicago, IL

Vacancy No. CAZP-12924680-26-AO Department Veterans Health Administration
Salary $33.76 to $39.35 Grade 10 to 10
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 4/23/2026 Close Date 5/4/2026
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Chicago, IL


Summary

The primary function of the Maintenance Mechanic is to accomplish improvements to the physical plant, building structures, exterior sites and/or utility systems through a variety of construction projects involving all types of construction trades organized into work groups, or crews, of varying make-up based on the specific needs of each assigned construction project.

This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

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.

Duties

Duties include but are not limited to:

  • PAINTING - The painting/coating work in this position is accomplished by any of the accepted methods of the trade by applying coating materials and techniques that achieve the required effect. Determines the methods, techniques, devices, and materials that are best suited to the surface finish required. Responsible for planning the materials, tools, and techniques needed and completing the work with little or no advice.
  • Plastering - Plasterer work in this position involves the mixing, application, and finishing of plaster surfaces in the construction and repair of interior walls and ceilings and stucco exterior walls. Performs new plastering on all types of backgrounds such as metal, wood, gypsum wallboard, wire & wood lath and masonry surfaces, as well as repair and patching of plaster and stucco surfaces.
  • CARPENTRY - The primary carpentry duties and responsibilities associated with this position require skilled techniques to construct, install, and repair, wood and metal construction, wood substitute structures, and items requiring close tolerance fit and structural soundness.
  • AIR CONDITIONING/REFRIGERATION - Maintains, troubleshoots, repairs, installs, balances, and replaces commercial heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, refrigeration systems, ventilation systems, dehumidification, cleaning filtering and recirculating systems, and control systems.
  • STEAM/PLUMBING - Installs, maintains, and repairs steam distribution system pipe, fittings, pumps. Installs, maintains, and repairs steam heating systems and components such as radiators, air valves, safety valves, steam traps, vacuum pumps, condensate pumps, heat exchangers, steam coils and system piping components, etc.
  • ELECTRICAL - Troubleshoots repair and replaces switches, fuses, outlets, motors, light fixtures, building service equipment, streetlights, operational controls, and wiring systems (up to 480-volt single and three-phase systems).


Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 2:00 pm - 10:30 pm
Position Description Title/PD#: Maintenance Mechanic/PD24075A
Physical Requirements: Occasionally lifts heavy loads, machinery parts, etc., be able to climb/descent ladders and scaffolds. Subject to all hazards inherent in the physical plant and grounds environments, for example, burns, cuts, bruises, sprains, falls, high heat, high humidity, etc. Work performed by employee is related to station level construction projects and requires lifting, carrying and pulling weights up to 100 pounds. Adjustments, repairs and replacement of parts and materials may require kneeling, stooping, climbing ladders, reading over, under and into equipment while in cramped and awkward position.
Preferred Experience: 2-3 years of Union Journeyperson level experience in two of the following preferred trades:

  • Painting
  • Carpentry
  • Plumbing/Pipefitter
  • HVAC
  • Electrical

Requirements

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
  • You may be required to serve a probationary period
  • Subject to background/security investigation
  • Pre-employment physical required
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
  • Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
  • Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

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
  • Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair
  • Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading)
  • Materials
  • 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.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

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.

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.

Required Documents

Documents Required:

  • Resume



Documents Accepted:
  • Cover Letter
  • DD-214/ Statement of Service
  • Disability Letter (Schedule A)
  • Disability Letter (VA)
  • License
  • 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.

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

How to Apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online.

To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 05/04/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12924680.

1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.

2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.

Beginning September 27, 2025, Federal agencies will only accept resumes up to two pages in length to comply with the Merit Hiring Plan. Resumes longer than two pages will result in ineligibility for further consideration for the position. USAJOBS will not allow you to upload or build resumes longer than two pages, and you will need to update the resumes in your profile before applying for a job. Resumes should include information relevant to the knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies of the position to which you are applying. VA is unable to make assumptions about qualifications if not clearly listed.

Resumes must be legible so they can be reviewed for eligibility, minimum qualifications and other position requirements listed in the job announcement. If initial application submission is updated and resubmitted with a new resume, only the most current resume will be reviewed for consideration.

Your resume must be 5MB or less. We recommend saving and uploading your resume as a PDF to maintain formatting and number of pages. We also accept GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, TXT, PDF, ODT or Word (DOC or DOCX). We do not accept PDF portfolio files. We recommend using a sans-serif font size like Lato, if available. Other widely available options are Calibri, Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, Open San Source Sans Pro, Roboto or Noro Sans. Make your page margins 0.5 inches. Consider using 14-point size font for titles and 10-point for the main text in your resume. The resume builder can help you create a resume using these recommendations and uses the information in your USAJOBS profile to help you get started.

Helpful Hints for Creating a Two-Page Resume:

  • Prioritize most relevant and recent experience
  • Use concise, results focused language
  • Align language from the job announcement
  • Focus on demonstrating skills and competencies
  • Remove outdated or unrelated experience
  • Use the USAJOBS resume builder
Additional guidance on this new requirement and resume building tools can be found at: To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

Agency contact information

Antonio Olgin
Phone
361-243-9444
Email
Antonio.Olgin@va.gov
Address
Jesse Brown Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center
820 South Damen Avenue
Chicago, IL 60612
US

Next steps

After the vacancy announcement closes, applicants are evaluated to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email.

Veterans Health Administration

OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise to care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate care to Veterans?

This position is part of VISN 12- The VA Great Lakes Health Care System. The VA Great Lakes Health Care System, a group of eight VA medical centers and more than 40 VA clinics, is dedicated to providing a comprehensive health care package to America's veterans. VA Great Lakes serves veterans who reside in Illinois, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Wisconsin, and northwestern Indiana.

Our Mission is to serve the health care needs of America's veterans. This is accomplished through a comprehensive, integrated health care delivery system that provides:

  • Excellence in Health Care Value
  • Excellence in Service as Defined by Customers
  • Excellence in Education and Research

VA Great Lakes Health Care System is also an organization characterized by exceptional accountability, and by being an employer of choice.

Our Vision is to be a veterans' health care system that supports innovation, empowerment, productivity, accountability, and continuous improvement. Working together, a continuum of high quality health care is provided in a convenient, responsive, caring manner -- and at a reasonable cost

Agency contact information

Antonio Olgin
Phone
361-243-9444
Email
Antonio.Olgin@va.gov
Address
Jesse Brown Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center
820 South Damen Avenue
Chicago, IL 60612
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at Veterans Health Administration, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

http://www.vacareers.va.gov/.