Maintenance Mechanic

Summary

The Maintenance Mechanic position is within the Facilities Management Services at the VA Providence Healthcare System, located in Providence, Rhode Island. It is a permanent, full-time position at 40 hours per week.

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Duties

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The Maintenance Mechanic is responsible for performing a variety of tasks involving the upkeep of equipment, buildings, grounds and related fixtures, and utilities of the Medical Center. Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Works with wiring diagrams, electrical maintenance and repair manuals when repairing electrical equipment;
• Operates with different pipe sizes, weights, cutting, threading, pitching, and installing and combination of couplings, unions, and joints required;
• Repairs and maintains equipment such as would be maintained by an electrician, medical equipment repairer, carpenter, plumber, and/or welder;
• Utilizes principles and theories governing the maintenance and repair of electrical medical equipment to diagnose malfunctions and repair and test such equipment as sterilizers and suction apparatus;
• Works with other craftsmen and in their absence or when specifically assigned;
• Plans and carries out work assignments using blueprints, schematics drawing, liquid flow sheet and other specifications;
• Orders parts needed for repair and maintains a stock of frequently needed parts;
• Reports time and materials used on various jobs in accordance with established medical center procedure;
• Performs a variety of tasks involving upkeep of equipment, buildings, grounds and related fixtures, and utilities of the Medical Center;
• Utilizes hand tools and a variety of test equipment such as wire cutters, drills, soldering irons, screwdrivers, tests lamps and test meters; and
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: The Providence VA Medical Center is a full-time hospital that operates 24/7. Most shifts will occur Tuesday-Saturday or Sunday-Thursday during second shift (3:00pm to 11:30pm) however the exact tour of duty will be discussed during the interview process.

Position Description Title/PD#: Maintenance Mechanic/PD650-03039-A

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives : Not authorized

Notifications:

• Interchange Agreements with Other Merit System: Employees who occupy medical or medical-related positions and were appointed under 38 U.S.C. 4701(1) or (3) [formerly 38 U.S.C. 4104 (1) and (3)] must be serving in a full-time position without time limit and have served continuously for at least one year in this other merit system to be eligible to convert to the Title 5 System. Some exceptions to this rule may apply if you have previously acquired tenure under a Title 5 appointment.
• Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held.
• This position is a LIUNA Bargaining Unit position.
• Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.
• This position is covered by a special rate.

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 evaluation 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.
• 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, 09/28/2026.

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. 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)
• Technical Practices
• Troubleshooting
• Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment

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.

Physical Effort: The duties involve climbing on ladders and scaffolds, crawling in cramped spaces, standing for long periods of time, stooping and kneeling, use of both hands simultaneously and accurate eyesight. At times, heavy lifting and pulling from awkward positions is required.

Working Conditions: The incumbent is exposed to extremes of heat, cold, and humidity. Work is done indoors and outdoors and at times in dirty, dusty locations including crawl spaces, interstitial spaces, roofs, and shops of the medical center. The incumbent is subject to all sorts of cuts, abrasions; bruises and burns. While welding, the incumbent wears a mask as a precaution against burns and eye injury. Welding fumes can result in repertory ailments and metal fume fever. Sometimes it is necessary for the incumbent to work in an environment of contagious diseases where the use of protective masks, gowns, gloves, and proper aseptic techniques must be followed.

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.