Electrician

Summary The Electrician is in the Maintenance and Operations Section of Engineering Service and receives little or no detailed instructions in the performance of assigned tasks. The incumbent plans and lays out the work to be performed on a task and prepares electrical diagram. The tasks are complex in nature and require a broad knowledge of equipment and systems; principles and application of the National Electric Code; 4160/13,800 volt distribution systems; and A.C. and D.C. theory. Responsibilities Electricians, grade 10, work from building plans, blueprints, wiring diagrams, engineering, drawings, and electrical maintenance and repair manuals to plan and lay out the routing, placement type, size, gauge, balance, load, continuity, and safe operation of electrical lines, circuits, systems, equipment and controls. They determine and place distribution panels, boxes, fittings, and connections and install wiring, couplings, conduit, relays, fixtures, transformers and other electrical devices including electrical service entrances. Skill and Knowledge: At this grade, electricians must have a knowledge of the operation and installation of a variety of complete electrical systems and equipment, such as series, parallel, and compound circuits for single and multiple phase alternating current of varying voltage, amperage, and frequency; wiring systems in industrial complexes and in buildings; and power or regulating and control circuits and distribution panels to industrial machinery, ships' control equipment, computers or laboratory and other electrical equipment. As the Electrician, the incumbent's duties include, but are not limited to: Receive general information as to the arrangement of a new system, scheduled completion date, size and capacity of equipment to meet the objective of the project. Size, layout and integrate systems associated with the operation of the HVAC and energy management system. Maintain and perform preventive maintenance on extremely complex systems. Respond to pre-alarm and alarm conditions to prevent damage to expensive systems. Conduct operational checks prior to and after repairs to ensure that proper pressures, temperatures, alarms, controls and customer satisfaction is achieved. Repair the electrical distribution systems and equipment such as electric beds, parking gate system, various communication systems, laundry equipment, pharmacy CMOP equipment, kitchen equipment, etc. Troubleshoot sophisticated circuitry and controls associated with such systems as the computerized pneumatic tube system, computerized fire alarm system, elevators and dumbwaiters, HVAC, emergency generators, etc. to determine proper voltage, amperage, resistance, etc. Troubleshoot test equipment used in the testing of circuit breakers, switchgear, receptacles, etc. Interpret drawings, specifications, schematics, operator and parts manuals, etc. of varying degrees of complexity for complete systems. Use and operate hand and power tools, equipment, or machines varying in difficulty. Operate complex emergency generators and related systems. Assist other Activation and Operation Team members in performing their duties repairing and maintaining physical structures, facilities, and utility systems. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00am to 3:30pm Position Description Title/PD#: Electrician/PD07279A Physical Requirements: The duties of this position require physical exertion involving lifting, pushing, pulling or carrying objects of varying weights, sizes and shapes. Physical effort is exerted in walking, running, climbing, crawling, and bending. Strain related to lack of movement such as standing in place, crouching, or stooping for extended periods of time. Working Environment: Incumbent is exposed to heat, restricted ventilation and poor illumination in areas such as equipment rooms. Incumbent is exposed to all weather conditions when working outside (parking areas, roof, etc.). Incumbent is exposed to varying climatic conditions from an office, to environmentally controlled space, to excessive heat such as in the boiler plant. Incumbent is exposed to various hazardous materials in the course of performing work assignments. The incumbent is provided protective clothing, equipment and safety devices for his personal protection. The emergency generator rooms, and equipment rooms are above the allowable decibel rating and hearing protection is provided. Diesel fumes and hazardous gases are in the work environment during various tasks. Respiratory protection is provided for the incumbent. Incumbent is at high-voltage electric shock; explosions of equipment or cables; injury from falls, burns, bruises and cuts. Incumbent works in crowded areas and around moving machinery. Incumbent is also required to work in patient areas which are contaminated with various diseases including HIV, TB, and is issued personal protective equipment/clothing to be worn. Incumbent may come in contact with asbestos containing materials during the performance of tasks; and is issued protective equipment/clothing which will allow for the incumbent to assist in the removal. Requirements 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; 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 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.