Electrician

Summary

The Electrician serves at WJB Dom VA Medical Center in Columbia, SC and reports directly to the Supervisory Electrician in the Station Electric Shop, with second level supervision from the Maintenance Control Manager.

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Duties

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Duties:

Installation and Repair

• Provides highly skilled craft labor, working with tools to maintain the Hospitals electrical distribution center of both single and three phase electrical power.
• Pumps water out of vaults; inspects connections between spliced wires; removes deteriorated or damaged insulation from splices/cables; tightens splice connectors; and replaces insulation and retapes connections.
• Tightens loose connections, replaces damaged or deteriorated insulation and taping, and exercises cut outs to ensure that they are working properly.
• Installs, repairs and replaces electrical components (i.e. televisions, electric powered signs, etc.) carrying 120-440 volts in building electrical systems; runs conduit and metal raceways from components to building power panels; and maintains and installs internal lighting.

Problem Solving and Troubleshooting

• Utilizes manual and power wrenches and screwdrivers, pliers, wire cutters, wire snippers, adjustable wrenches, hammers and levels to tighten connections and repair or replace damaged conduit, insulating material and wires.
• Employs voltmeters, amp meters, circuit testers and phase meters to evaluate the operating condition of control panels and identify problems.

Preventative Maintenance

• Operates a motor vehicle to transport tools, supplies and materials to work sites. The incumbent organizes assigned work to minimize materials and manhours required for proper completion of work and instructs others in the operation of and preventive maintenance for all related tools and equipment.
• Supports Preventive Maintenance as a strategy in maintaining Medical Center's facility and utility systems, components, and equipment, including mechanical, electrical, and associated control systems by assisting in the performance, administration, and monitoring of preventive maintenance programs

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

Position Description Title/PD#: Electrician/PD04412A

Physical Requirements :

• In order to perform the essential functions of the job, the incumbent must always be able to wear a tool belt weighing 20 lbs. while performing all functions. Position requires electrical workers to stand, stoop, bend, kneel, climb, and labor in strenuous and uncomfortable positions. The incumbent must be able to ascend a six-foot (6') step ladder at least 15 times per day to repair, install and/or maintain ceiling lights and fixtures and to install and replace overhead conduit and wiring. The incumbent may be required to ascend ship's ladders and/or maintenance stairs to heights up to six1y feet (60') once per day in order to access exterior building lights and other electrical components. The incumbent must be able to work at heights ranging from six feet to one-hundred-and-twenty-feet (6' to 120') for two hours at a time for the entire length of shift. The incumbent must be able to enter and maneuver in, and work for two hours at a time in, restricted spaces in order to repair and maintain electrical systems in underground vaults.
• The incumbent may be required to transport materials weighing up to 50 lbs. distances of 200 yards on occasion in order to access work sites. The incumbent must be able to lift and manipulate and maneuver tools, conduit, wiring and other electrical components. The incumbent must be able to pull existing damaged or deteriorated wiring and conduit and to manipulate steel fish tape to run new wiring. The incumbent must be able to work for two hours at a time at shoulder level or any intermediate level up to and including directly overhead. The incumbent must be able to tighten/loosen connectors and make fine adjustments in connectors. The incumbent must be able to use screwdrivers, pliers, wire cutters, wrenches, and other tools of the trade to install, remove, dismantle, adjust, reassemble and re-install conduit, raceways, wiring, fixtures and other electrical components.
• The incumbent must be able to work at floor/ground level and/or in restricted spaces up to two hours a time for the entire length of shift in order to access electrical components. The incumbent must possess 20/20 vision with or without corrective lenses and be able to properly place and align conduit, raceways, wiring and other components. The incumbent must be able to accurately distinguish colors in order to accurately identify, trace and match electrical wires.

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.
• 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:

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.