Clarification from the agency

ALL US CITIZENS DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.201) for this occupation.

Duties include but not limited to:

• Performing a wide variety of technical and complicated tasks involving the installation, maintenance, and repair of items such as: patient lifts, med carts, motorized chairs, exercise equipment, whirlpool patient tubs, postal machines, electric vehicles.
• Performing preventative maintenance & adjustments, then documents results in the preventative maintenance logs.- Performing repairs on gas engines, including engine rebuilding for grounds equipment, repair of gear boxes, repair lawn equipment, including weed eaters, chain saws, tractors, gas and diesel, electric and gas personnel carts.
• Performing repairs on Food Service and Nutrition equipment, such as: cars, ovens, steamers, ranges, urns, serving line tables, Retherm carts, chairs, etc.
• Operating a wide variety of machines and tools including, but not limited to, drill press, grinder, hydraulic press, volt-ohm meter, vacuum test gauge, hydrometer, timing lights, metal lathe, measuring instruments, dial calipers, indicators, fork lifts and motor vehicles.
• Performing pipefitting installations and repairs on all piping systems, including oxygen, medical air, control air, nitrous oxide, medical vacuum systems, steam, and natural gas i.e. steam heating, steam generation, radiators, circulating pumps, and high-pressure piping systems.
• Performing repairs on condensate pumps and the associated systems, medical air pumps, dental air pumps, and hot water circulating pumps using replacement packing, sleeves, bearings, seals, and impellers.
• Developing patterns and laying out, catting, forming, joining, assembling and installing items such as heating, air conditioning, and ventilating pipes; conduits; drying ovens; metal furniture; and other items with combined straight and curved edges or irregular curves and planes.
• Installing, recognizing the causes of faulty equipment and making repairs on large systems that provide for a variety of air conditioning functions such as heating, cooling, humidifying, dehumidifying, cleaning, filtering and circulating.
• Working from building plans, blueprints and sketches to plan and lay out routing, placement, pitch, elevation, pressure reduction, expansion and operation of various piping systems and equipment.
• Setting up system routes, placing and cutting route openings and placing hangers for proper pitch and elevation to determine and install risers, expansion joints, gauges, pressure regulators in the combination needed to support the pressures of the systems to ensure proper operation.
• Installing joints, seals and tests the systems and equipment for proper pressure, leak-free joints and operation.
• Figuring out pipe, joint and valve sizes needed to support pressure of systems, aligning of pipes, valves, fittings and joints for accurate match.
• Performing complex repairs on hospital and ward equipment such as hydraulic and electric beds, bed rails, adjustable chairs, stretchers, examining tables, washer dryer sets, patient lifts, auto door operators, med carts, exercise equipment, door alarm systems, pharmacy packaging equipment, and electric mobility scooters.
• Troubleshooting and diagnosing malfunctions.
• Disassembling, repairing or replacing defective components or assemblies.- Reassembling, aligning, adjusting and testing repaired devices to ensure proper operation by a use of a wide range of test equipment.
• Retesting items after repairs and modifications.
• Performing all types of welding, i.e., arc, acetylene for the repair of grounds machinery, laundry equipment, and the fabrication of parts using such metals as aluminum, stainless steel, and carbon steel.
• Preparing jigs and fixtures to hold parts to be welded.
• Performing several gas torch processes, various electric arc processes, including inert gas shielded on a variety of metals, including aluminum, black iron, structural and stainless steel in sheet, bar, rod and tubing form to unite metallic parts by fusion so that they form an integrated whole.
• Rebuilding, assembling, and repairing welds including dissimilar items such as high pressure tanks, metal stands, carts, steam pipes using different welding techniques.
• Assembling metal parts into unit by riveting, soldering, bolting, seaming and welding using proper tools in such assemblies.
• Working processes include pre-heating, brazing, flame-cutting, heath treating, bead or tack welding, and use of templates and jigs as needed.
• Welding pressure vessels and high temperature team and water lines.

Work Schedule: Tuesday - Saturday, 2:00pm - 10:30pm PST
Position Description Title/PD#: Maintenance Mechanic - Term Appt NTE 1 year/PD21434A
Physical Requirements: Continual movement of hand and arm, standing, reaching, and bending. Medium to heavy lifting (10 pounds to 40 pounds) and carrying, working in awkward conditions, overhead, cramped quarters, bending, stooping, climbing ladders and stairs, working from scaffolding and ladders. Requires good eye-hand coordination.

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
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Pre-employment physical required
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

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. Specialized experience include the following but not limited to:

• constructing and repairing a wide variety of structural items such as building frames, rafters, concrete forms, walls, staircases, door and window frames, interior and exterior trim, and miscellaneous items such as workbenches, counter tops, bookcases, equipment cabinets, computer consoles, and items requiring limited decorative trim and molding;
• working from blueprints, sketches and work orders; planning and completing projects from layouts to final assembly;
• preparing surfaces and using appropriate coating techniques in performing painting duties;
• using accepted methods which includes special finishing techniques such as marbling and graining by applying coating materials with any of the accepted trade devices including those designed to give special effects which meets match, texture, decorative, thickness, and level requirements.

The potential eligibles are then rated against the remainder of the Job Elements:

• Ability to Do the Work of the Position without More Than Normal Supervision
• Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading)
• Materials
• Measuring Instruments
• 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.

WORKING CONDITIONS: Works inside and outside of buildings in all weather, exposed to hot and cold temperatures. Exposed to some occupational disease hazard working in Medical Center laboratories, wards, and clinical rooms. Danger in falling from ladders and scaffolds, from cuts by tools and power equipment, strains from lifting and from masonry dust in removal of old tile and plaster. May work in confined area such as crawl spaces and attics which may be dusty and dirty. Also exposed to toxic fumes and effects from paints. Some work is performed in shop areas where the worker is exposed to moderate or high noise levels from operating machinery, sawdust in the air, glue fumes, and hazards associated with woodworking and related power equipment. Incumbent is expected to wear safety equipment when working with power equipment, including ear plugs, safety glasses, respirators, and gloves.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Applicants will be referred in the order in which they were received.

Resume Reminder - Your resume must include the following information for each job listed:

• Job title
• Duties (be as detailed as possible)
• Month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008)
• Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)
• Salary/Rank etc.
• Series and Grade, if applicable, for all Federal positions you have held
• References, current or recent supervisor

Please be aware that your answers will be verified against information provided on your resume. Be sure that your resume clearly supports your responses to all of the questions by addressing your work experience in detail. The experience stated in your resume must support your assessment responses.

Recommended: Even though we do not require a specific resume format, your resume must be clear so that we are able to fully evaluate your qualifications. To ensure you receive appropriate consideration, please list the duties you performed under each individual job title. If we are unable to match your experiences with the positions held, you may lose consideration for this vacancy. We cannot make assumptions regarding your qualifications.