Electrician

Summary

The Electrician is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Washington DC VA Medical Center (WAS DC VAMC), in the Facilities Management Services Electrical Section. Primary duties include, but are not limited to, installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, repair of the electrical wiring systems, fixtures, controls, equipment in the industrial, institutional, office, and residential buildings that make up the electrical and lighting distribution.

Learn more about this agency

Duties

Help

Duties:

The Electrician will be responsible for maintaining electrical system(s) at the various facility locations and the incumbent will be required to obtain and maintain a current driver's license.

The Electrician, at this level, will install, modify, or remove all aspects of an electrical system that is, 120 volts or less, 600 volts or less, and 12,470 volts or less. He/she will install, modify, or remove secondary emergency power distribution centers throughout the utility power distribution system. The incumbent is responsible for maintaining all normal power branch circuits and emergency power branch circuits, including all related branch equipment, normal and emergency, to ensure proper hospital and research laboratory operation.

The Electrician, at this level, is responsible for maintaining the emergency power distribution system which includes two 1500Kw diesel generators that provide three phase primary utility power to the entire facility (12,470 volts) and all related secondary emergency power distribution centers throughout the utility power distribution system. He/she will install, repair, troubleshoot, test, and modify new and existing electrical distribution systems, fixtures, controls, and equipment located in the research laboratories, main hospital, and other commercial, campus buildings.

The incumbent will demonstrate a mastery of cutting, threading, bending, and installing rigid pipe and all other required conduit systems, and a variety of related raceway systems. He/she will pull conductors through raceway systems; properly phase cables, and make connections (sometimes when voltage is present.) Under emergency conditions, he/she will be fully capable and willing to splice high voltage cables. The Electrician will troubleshoot and maintain electric and electronic control circuits on various equipment including medical gas systems, vertical transportation power distribution systems, motor control centers, digital master controls (PLC cabinets,) load centers, and uninterruptable power systems.

The Electrician will select proper wire gauges, insulation, protective devices, switching for a variety of equipment, lighting, and miscellaneous electrical loads. The incumbent must demonstrate a mastery of all common electrical hand and power tools and testing equipment as required for the performance of work. He/she will operate power hydraulic work platforms safely. The incumbent will produce or modify as-built drawings, delineating system alterations by working with engineers, project managers, CAD operators, and supervisors. The Electrician will maintain an evolving shop inventory of electrical supplies sufficient to maintain research laboratories and a hospital campus in a predictable manner.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Incumbent often works under hazardous conditions, being exposed to high voltages and electrical shock hazards. Required to at times to work live circuits following the guidelines of National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace, wear proper personal protective equipment (PPE). Apply Lock out/tag out (LOTO) procedures as outlined in NFPA 70E to ensure an electrically safe working condition. Required to work in unconditioned and cramped spaces, confined spaces, outdoors in inclement weather, on rooftops or other high places that may require lifts, extension ladders, or scaffolding.

Incumbent is exposed to infection and contagious disease by working on wards, laboratories, etc. throughout the medical center.

Incumbent must exercise normal care and practice all safety regulations during the performance of his duties to prevent injury to their person or their co-workers.

Complexity of Work:

The incumbent must have knowledge of all assigned systems and is responsible for taking appropriate action in the event of a breakdown or malfunction of equipment. The incumbent must decide (when Supervisor is not available) whether to shut down the equipment or whether equipment still operating can maintain the required conditions.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:00 am to 3:30 pm

Position Description Title/PD#: Electrician/PD24115A

Physical Requirements : Incumbent may regularly lift from 10 to 50 pounds and occasionally objects weighing more than 50 to 150 pounds utilizing appropriate lifting measures. Must be able to work for prolonged periods while kneeling, crouching, stooping and/or standing in awkward positions and must be able to climb and work from ladders, scaffolding, various hydraulic or aerial lifts and from roofs.

Requirements

Help

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
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• 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 ( 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.

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.

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:

• Electric Drawings
• Electrical Equipment
• Technical Practices (Electrical Electronic)
• Troubleshooting (Electrical)
• Use and Maintain Hand Tools (Electrical Work)

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; 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 position does not have an education qualification requirement.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PART 1

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?

The Washington DC VA Medical Center, located within sight of the Nation's Capitol, is the only health care system that specifically provides care to Veterans. Offering tertiary care in a Complexity Level IA hospital, allows ours staff to provide comprehensive primary and specialty care in medicine, surgery, neurology and psychiatry.

The medical center has 175 acute care beds, 30 Psychosocial Residential Rehabilitation Treatment beds, and a 20-suite Fisher House. Also, the medical center is home to an adjacent 120-bed Community Living Center which provides Veterans with geriatric long-term care, hospice and palliative care.

The VA has adopted Core Values and Characteristics that apply universally across the Department. The five Core Values define "who we are," our culture, and how we care for Veterans, their families and other beneficiaries.

The Values are I ntegrity, C ommitment, A dvocacy, R espect and E xcellence (" I CARE ").As a VA professional, your opportunities are endless. With many openings in the multiple functions of VA, you will have a wide range of opportunities and leadership positions at your fingertips.

DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.201) for this occupation.

" Whole Health"

An approach to health care that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their life to the fullest. The VA is committed to Whole Health and values Veteran and Employee health and wellbeing. As a VA employee, you will practice Whole Health in an environment that supports personalized and proactive care.

OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT:

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until June 22, 2027. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be July 20, 2026, with subsequent cut-off dates every two weeks. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled.

Additional information

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.

Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website which can be found at

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. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. 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.

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.

Help

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.