Duties

Summary

This position is located at the Baltimore VA Medical Center, a Department of Veterans Affairs facility. The incumbent serves as a helper level maintenance mechanic.
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Responsibilities

The incumbent assists in the performance of a variety of tasks involved in the upkeep of buildings, grounds and related structures, fixtures, and utilities. Two or more trade practices are applied in the performance of the work.

The incumbent works with journeyman level workers to acquire knowledge, skills, and abilities to plan, compute, and layout projects; to interpret and apply building plans and blueprints; and to use tools and equipment common to the trade. Develops knowledge, skills, and abilities specific to at least two trades, which include:

• Plumbing: Knowledge of the installation and operation of various supply, disposal, and utility systems and equipment, such as water and gas systems, fire sprinkler equipment, and water closets.
• Carpentry: Knowledge of wood and wood substitute materials and construction techniques; skill in construction techniques and operation of general and precision carpentry and woodworking equipment to produce the requested finished product. Ability to interpret complex instructions, sketches, blueprints, and building codes.
• Electrical: Ability to install and operate electrical fixtures, wiring, and controls and read and follow wiring diagrams. Skill in removing and replacing electrical fixtures and controls; making repairs; rearranging old or installing new outlets, relays, switches, and light fixtures; testing circuits; measuring, cutting, and bending wire and conduit to specified lengths and angles. Knowledge of mechanical theory and pneumatic and hydraulic principles to repair electro-mechanical devices.
• Painting: Skill in accepted surface preparation and coating methods and techniques; matching, tinting, toning, blending and applying coating materials and agents. Ability to read and apply directions to mix, use and apply various materials, solvents, and pre-coating agents.
• Plastering: Knowledge and skill in a variety of plastering methods and techniques, including construction and application of molded plaster cornices, plaster panels, and trim.
• Pipefitting: Knowledge and ability to install and operate various high-pressure piping systems and equipment.
• Air Conditioning: Knowledge of the principles and theories of the refrigeration cycle, temperature measurement and refrigerant properties. Skill in constructing, operating, and servicing a variety of domestic air conditioning units and systems, power sources, and cooling units.
• Heating: Knowledge of combustion, heat transfer and circulation principles; fuel characteristics; heating surfaces, combustion chambers; basic pipefitting techniques and rigging setups; pneumatics, electricity, and basic electronics. Familiarity with the construction and operation of heating systems. Skill in determining condition of system parts and components; installing, aligning, adjusting, and repairing oil, gas, and coal burners, heating boiler components, and other burning mechanisms; performing routine maintenance.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8am-4:30pm
Position Description Title/PD#: Maintenance Helper/16141-A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
5

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Pre-employment physical required
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/03/2021.

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)
• 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.

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions: The work requires a considerable amount of standing, stooping, bending, kneeling, climbing, and working in tiring and/or uncomfortable positions. The incumbent may work from ladders and scaffolding. When operating equipment, the worker may be under a great deal of strain from constant reaching, bending, turning, and moving of hands, arms, feet, legs, and by the vibration and jerking of equipment. The incumbent carries, lifts, and handles parts and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds and may occasionally exceed 50 pounds.
The work is performed inside and outside with exposure to all kinds of weather. The work area may be dirty, wet, dusty, and greasy, with inadequate lighting, heat, or ventilation. Incumbent is subject to cuts, abrasions, burns, broken bones, electrical shock, infections, bites, exposure to inhalation or harmful chemical fumes, irritation of eyes, skin and respiratory tract, and the hazards of operating power tools and equipment. Discomfort is encountered when wearing protective clothing, gloves, or eye goggles. The Helper will use/wear any appropriate safety equipment (PPE-Personal Protective Equipment) or other items required and provided by the supervisor.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

The Career Transition Assistance Plan provides eligible displaced Federal/VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified (have a final rating of 85 or more) for this vacancy. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/ .

Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Financial disclosure not required.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application .

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.

Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
No

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.

• Resume
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference .