Electronics Mechanic

Summary

This position is located within the Maintenance & Operations section of the Engineering Department at the VA Medical Center located in Des Moines, Iowa. The Electronics Mechanic performs work involving fabricating, overhauling, modifying, installing, troubleshooting, repairing, and maintaining electronic equipment.

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Duties

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Major duties include but are not limited to:

• Maintains, repairs, installs, and makes operational checks on a variety of complex equipment and complete systems.
• Maintains, tests, and repairs directional finding systems, satellite communications systems, navigational aids, etc.
• Installs, modifies, overhauls, maintains, troubleshoots, and repairs complex electronics equipment and complete operational system(s) consisting of numerous complex integral components which require knowledge of a wide range of electronics principles and practices.
• Routinely deals with sophisticated electronic systems/networks, including nurse call systems, fire alarm systems, CCTV network, security systems, entertainment MATV/Cable TV systems, production TV systems, microwave, and telecommunication and distribution network, phone system, Guest Wi-Fi system, voice paging systems, overhead paging systems, Ham radio antennae system, intercom/public address systems, patient wandering alarm systems, satellite TV systems, and automated data processing (ADP) equipment.
• Performs installation, troubleshooting, repair and calibration of other sophisticated electronic equipment, including audio recorders, audiometers, bridge and impedance amplifiers, video cameras, monitors, video recorders, radios, pagers and electronic controls.
• Performs troubleshooting on complex electronics equipment and complete operational systems consisting of numerous complex integral components.
• Documents all maintenance, repairs, installations and checks performed on equipment and systems.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

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

Position Description Title/PD#: Electronics Mechanic/PD30226A

Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Authorized

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

Requirements

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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 ( 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.
• Must have an unrestricted state issued driver license
• 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, 08/14/2026.

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. Experiences consists of performing first-line maintenance and repair, including preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, testing, adjustment and calibration of more complex electronic systems equipment such as integrated electronic controls as well as computer video data terminals; Making independent judgments and decisions regarding methods and procedures for completing assignments that may involve extending the use of conventional test equipment and improvising fault analysis, repair, and calibration techniques; using of a wide variety of electronic test equipment such as multimeters, oscilloscopes, signal generators, and other specialized instrumentation. Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Federal Wage System Qualification Standards.

PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK CONDITIONS: Performs tasks requiring moderate physical exertion, including frequent medium lifting (up to 40 pounds), pushing, pulling, carrying, climbing, bending, stooping, crawling and negotiating confined spaces, as well as occasional heavy lifting (more than 40 pounds) and strenuous exertion. The employee is standing or walking much of the time and must be in good overall physical condition. Physical capability to regularly walk long distances, dexterity and accurate eye-hand coordination and corrected 20/20 vision and accurate color perception are required.

Most work is performed inside buildings, usually adequately lighted, heated, ventilated or cooled. Occasionally work may be performed in very cold, hot or unventilated areas, or outside. Exposure to lubricants and other chemicals, and fumes is common, as well as the ever-present hazards of electrical shock and burns, and the physical hazards of electro-mechanical equipment. Exposure to radiation and contamination or infectious biological hazards may occur.

Working Conditions: Most work is performed inside buildings, usually adequately lighted, heated, ventilated or cooled. Occasionally work may be performed in very cold, hot or unventilated areas, or outside. Exposure to lubricants and other chemicals, and fumes is common, as well as the ever present hazards of electrical shock and burns, and the physical hazards of electro-mechanical equipment. Exposure to radiation and contaminated or infectious biological hazards may occur.

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:

• Electronics
• Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair
• Ingenuity
• Test Equipment - Electronics
• Troubleshooting (Electronic Equipment)
• Use Hand and Power Tools - Electronics
• 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

There is no educational requirement for this position.

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.