Summary The Sewing Machine Operator position is part of the Environmental Management Service at the VA Northern Indiana Healthcare System for the Marion and Fort Wayne campuses.
Learn more about this agency Duties Help
Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Alters or mends uniforms to include making alterations in dress apparel;
- Repairs garments and work clothes where repair involves judgment in matching colors, sizes, or replacement parts;
- Performs difficult sewing techniques;
- Operates buttonhole machine;
- Manages the ordering, storing, issuing and inventory of uniforms in accordance with VA and local policy and maintains necessary records;
- Loads linen carts with linen items to be delivered to using area;
- Performs hemming of press covers and takes in seam allowances;
- Performs other duties as assigned
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm
Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved
Requirements Help
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
- Pre-employment physical required
- Subject to background/security investigation
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( 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 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 PHYSICAL EFFORT: Must be capable of standing for long periods of time while pinning and basting and sitting for long periods of time with continued and repetitive movement of hands, arms, and fingers. Must be capable of walking for the purpose of collecting and distributing patient clothing, patient effects, lab coats, and other specialty linen items. Incumbent must be able to handle lightweight items, up to 10 pounds continuously and occasionally lifting up to 45 pounds.
WORK CONDITIONS: Works alone in a well-lighted area in the uniform distribution area of the Medical Center. Subject to confined area, and warm temperatures at times. Incumbent may be subject to possible needle punctures and minor thread cuts. Must practice universal precautions in the performance of the duties of the position. Incumbent must accomplish work assignments using appropriate safety and infection control procedures. May be required to operate a government vehicle for deliveries throughout the campus. Often these areas are noisy because numerous machines are operating at one time.
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 (WG-2 and higher only; screen-outs are not applicable to WG-1). 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:
- Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair
- Interpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading)
- Materials
- Measurement and Layout
- Technical Practices
- Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
- Without more than normal supervision
IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. 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.
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; 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.
Education This job does not have an education qualification requirement.
Additional information Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
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.
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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.
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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.
