Maintenance Mechanic Leader

Clarification from the agency

First consideration will be given to current permanent employees of Kansas City VA Medical Center. Second consideration to current permanent VHA employee.

As a Maintenance Mechanic Leader, you will serve as the working leader for the In-House Projects Team within the Facilities Management Service at the Kansas City VA Medical Center. You will lead a multidisciplinary crew performing complex construction, renovation, installation, troubleshooting, and repair work across the medical center's facilities.

Major duties include, but are not limited to the following:

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead a team of maintenance employees performing trades and labor work, passing on supervisor instructions, assigning tasks, reviewing work in progress, and ensuring adherence to methods, deadlines, and safety procedures. Provide technical guidance to workers, answer policy and procedure questions, and report work status and delays to the supervisor.
• Assist the supervisor in identifying, preparing, and ordering materials needed for maintenance, repair, and improvement projects. Ensure needed stock is obtained from supply locations before work begins.
• Train employees on proper work steps, operational procedures, safety practices, equipment use, and completion of work orders. Ensure compliance with safety requirements and housekeeping standards.

Carpentry Work

• Coordinate, perform, and oversee rough and finish carpentry tasks, including framing, constructing walls, installing doors/windows, building cabinets and counters, hanging drywall, installing ceiling grid systems, constructing temporary walls, and supporting specialized hospital areas with carpentry modifications.

Flooring Installation

• Oversee the removal and installation of flooring materials (carpet, vinyl, ceramic tile), including surface preparation, measurement, cutting, fitting, and finishing work. Ensure flooring plans are followed and work areas remain organized and clean.

Painting and Surface Preparation

• Prepare interior and exterior surfaces for painting, mix paints to required consistency and color, and apply coatings on drywall, masonry, concrete, and specialized hospital environments. Perform drywall finishing and install wall coverings. Set up ladders, scaffolding, and rigging equipment.

Plumbing and Pipefitting

• Install, modify, repair, and maintain piping and plumbing systems including steam, hot water, compressed air, gas lines, sprinkler systems, drains, radiators, pumps, valves, and fixtures. Use blueprints to plan layout; cut, thread, join, and test piping systems; and ensure safe, leak-free operation. Perform welding, soldering, brazing, and drain cleaning.

Electrical Work

• Install, modify, repair, and maintain electrical systems, circuits, panels, and fixtures. Read and interpret electrical codes, wiring diagrams, and building plans. Troubleshoot electrical issues from power source to equipment and install conduit, wiring, devices, and fixtures following National Electrical Code and safety requirements.

General Maintenance and Safety

• Use a wide array of hand and power tools across multiple trades to complete repair, installation, and construction tasks. Enforce safety practices including lock-out/tag-out, infection control (ICRA/PCRA/ILSM), and hazardous material handling. Work in various environments including rooftops, ladders, and confined spaces, with exposure to noise, fumes, chemicals, temperature fluctuations, and physically demanding conditions.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 6:00 AM - 2:30 PM
Position Description Title/PD#: Maintenance Mechanic Leader/PD08579A
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

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 identification 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 or 2-year trial 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, 09/14/2026.

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 eligible are then rated against the remainder of the Job Elements:

• Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair
• Follow Directions
• Lead or Supervise
• 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.

Physical Requirements: Makes repairs and installations from ladders, scaffolding, and platforms, and where the parts of systems worked are in hard-to reach places. This requires workers to stand, stoop, bend, kneel, climb, and work in tiring and uncomfortable positions. Position frequently lifts, carries, and sets up parts and equipment that weigh up to 50 pounds. Occasionally, lifts or moves with assistance moderately heavy objects weighing more than 75 pounds. When at a job site, strenuous physical exertion is sometimes required when handling heavy and bulky materials such as sheets of plywood, framing members, piping, conducts and other building and construction materials. Some trades mentioned above use manual or portable power tools for extended periods in uncomfortable positions.

Working Conditions: This position may require working in uncontrolled environments, from ladders and rooftops. Position may be subjected to the hazards normally encountered in the trade. Some work is performed in shop areas where the worker is exposed to moderate or high noise levels from operating machinery, particulates in the air, glue fumes, and hazards associated with heating/cooling and other related power equipment. At times, the position is frequently subject to sudden temperature changes when working on equipment such as walk-in freezers units. Position is occasionally subjected to cuts, burns, electrical shocks, and respiratory ailments. Position is required to make repairs and installations in bad weather. Work assignments involve a thorough knowledge of hazardous material handling and related activities. There is a possibility of exposure to hazardous chemicals and fumes from spills and/or leaks, and incumbents may be required to wear protective clothing (e.g., rubber boots, coveralls, goggles, aprons, gloves, respirators, etc.)

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
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

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
• License
• Other (1)
• 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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