Maintenance Mechanic

Summary

The incumbent of this position is a maintenance mechanic in all aspects of the maintenance field. HVAC, electrical, plumbing/ pipefitting, painting, and general repair and maintenance of center owned utility equipment, structure, etc. His/ Her primary duties include a wide variety of installations, repairs, and modifications of building air conditioning system equipment, electrical systems, and various other center owned equipment, and all other duties as assigned.

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Duties

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The Maintenance Mechanic is responsible for the carpentry, installation, maintenance, and repair of architectural, mechanical, and electrical components of buildings requiring the use of a variety of trades and practices.

• Performing maintenance and repair of architectural, mechanical, and electrical components of buildings;
• Installing, modifying, and repairing furniture items, doors, windows, floor coverings, baseboards, and signage;
• Installing, modifying, and repairing plumbing and electrical systems;
• Performs carpentry tasks repairing and maintaining wood/ wood substitute components of building and structures;
• Repairs various facility owned furniture to include but not limited to; cabinets, desks, and removable/ permanent shelving;
• Conducting inspections and performing routine maintenance on area of responsibility assigned;
• Constructing/framing metal stud dry wall partitions and drywalling, mudding, taping, and plastering;
• Patching and painting various surfaces;
• Installing, modifying, maintaining, and repairing electrical wiring systems, related switches, distribution panels, and outlet boxes;
• Installing and making uncomplicated repairs on a variety of small domestic and commercial heating, furnaces, refrigeration, and air conditioning units and systems;
• Performing welding duties using electric and wire feed, acetylene and/or inert gas shielded welding processes to weld various types of metal in various sizes, shapes, and thickness.
• Constructing concrete structures (walls, slabs, footers, forms, etc.).
• Planning and measuring various materials according to requirements and dimensions outlined in instructions;
• Reading and interpreting work orders, instructions, sketches, blueprints, building codes, and wiring diagrams;
• Using and maintaining equipment and tools common to various trades;
• Making repairs on and performing preventative maintenance on shop tools and equipment to ensure safe and proper function;
• Working with wood or wood substitute materials, gypsum board or fiber-cement board, concrete/rebar, glass, etc.;
• Overseeing the requisition of materials, tools, and equipment as necessary to perform assigned duties;
• Planning the materials, tools, and techniques needed and for completing the work;
• Performing related duties as required.

Prior experience working in a healthcare facility as part of a maintenance team.

This is an essential position. The incumbent is required to report to work during emergencies and inclement weather. The tour of duty may include holidays, weekends, and rotating shifts.

This position will be located in the Facilities Management Service, Maintenance & Operations section of the VA Health Care Center, El Paso, Texas.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday; 7:00 am - 3:30 pm - Work schedule subject to change based on agency needs.

Position Description Title/PD#: Maintenance Mechanic/PD01241A

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Physical Requirements : The incumbent makes repairs and installations from ladders, extension ladders and lifts in areas that require lifting, pushing, pulling or carrying objects of varying weights, sizes and shapes, sometimes in excess of 60 pounds. He/ She is subjected to strain due to lack of movement, such as standing in place, crouching or stooping for extended periods of time. The incumbent also may be required to enter confined spaces after being trained on 'confined space entry'. He/ She may also be subjected to some miscellaneous digging such as in the case of landscaping or grounds maintenance.

Working Conditions: The incumbent is subjected to such hazardous conditions as working with power tools, fast moving cutting tools, weldingelectric and acetylene, exposure to noxious gases and fumes, infrared and ultraviolet radiation heat, flying sparks, electrical shock, burns, and falls from working on slippery or unstable surfaces. The work is done indoors and outdoors, sometimes in wet, cold, weather, in areas that will vary from clean rooms to areas that are noisy, dirty and poor ventilation where exposed to dust, grease, soiling of clothing and skin. There is a discomfort when wearing protective clothing, gloves, goggles or welding helmets. On occasion, the work may be done outdoors in very warm conditions where sunburn is a possibility. Incumbent must be able to wear a respirator to conduct duties such as; removal of filter media from TB Isolation rooms, confined space entry, atmospheric use, painting applications, etc. In some situations, use of a respirator may warrant that the individual be clean-shaven for proper fit.

Requirements

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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.
• To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process.
• Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation.
• 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.
• 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

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:

• Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair
• Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading)
• Materials
• Measuring Instruments
• Technical Practices
• Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
• Without more than normal supervision

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

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.

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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.