Maintenance Mechanic

Veterans Health Administration; Fort William Henry Harrison (MT); On-site; USD 52,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a skilled Maintenance Technician at the Fort Harrison campus to perform carpentry, electrical, plumbing, and general facility repairs.

Duties include troubleshooting equipment, reading blueprints, and completing work orders with safety and accuracy. Responsibilities cover building repairs, millwork, and system maintenance across VA Montana Healthcare System locations, with occasional duties at other sites.

Qualifications

• Experience in building maintenance and repair tasks with carpentry, plumbing and electrical work.
• Ability to read blueprints, sketches and manufacturer specifications.
• Knowledge of shop math, layout of materials, and use of standard formulas.
• Commitment to safety procedures and quality workmanship.

Responsibilities

• Repair and maintain carts, furniture, pumps and mechanical equipment across the facility.
• Troubleshoot malfunctions, determine parts and materials needed, and plan repairs.
• Inspect buildings, initiate work orders, and perform routine mill work and carpentry.
• Interpret blueprints and specs, lay out materials, and work with hand and power tools.
• Maintain and repair plumbing, electrical, and utility systems as required.

Skills

Carpentry

Electrical work

Plumbing

Blueprint reading

Diagnostic troubleshooting

Safety procedures

Tools

Hand tools

Power tools

Measuring instruments

Hydraulic/pneumatic equipment

Job description

This position is located in the Maintenance and Repair section, Engineering and Facilities Management Service Line. This position functions under the supervision of the Maintenance and Repair (M&R) Supervisor. Duties inherent to the position will occur primarily at the Fort Harrison campus though rendering of service my infrequently be required at any one of 23 locations across VA Montana Healthcare System.

Major Duties

• Major duties include but are not limited to: Repairs and maintains food carts, laundry carts, metal furniture, pumps and air compressors throughout the medical center. Troubleshoots equipment malfunctions and failures and determines the extent of repairs and parts needed, estimated materials required, selects best work methods, techniques and trade practices and accomplishes the repair or overhaul. Independently diagnoses, plans and completes projects or work orders involving routine repairs. Uses his/her own initiative on maintenance and repair work to identify malfunctions or non-functions, then proceed with corrective action. Responsible for selecting and safely using proper tools, devices, manuals, references and efficient procedures. Performs walk through inspections of buildings and initiates electronic work orders for deficiencies found. Measures, cuts and constructs using standard building materials. Measures, cuts, constructs, installs, repairs and modifies routine mill work, framing, benches, partitions, tables, furniture, etc. Performs work to close tolerances, exact fit, and structural soundness. Plan, measure, and lay out carpentry materials using typical shop mathematics for complex and exact projects. Must be able to interpret blueprints, sketches, manufacturers' specifications, and technical manuals, and be knowledgeable in shop math and standard formulas. Plan, measure, and lay out carpentry materials by interpreting complex or incomplete instructions, sketches, blueprints, and building codes. Works from building plans, blueprints, and sketches, to plan and lay out the routing, placement, slant, slope, fall, and proper operation, of systems and equipment. Uses tools and equipment such as plumb bobs, mercury gauges, dividers, closet augers, hydrostatic pumps, and lead pots. Responsible for selecting and safely using proper tools, devices, manuals, references and efficient procedures. Skilled in the use of all common electrical hand and power tools and testing equipment as required. Operate and use a wide variety of specialty woodworking machines and tools. Operate and use a variety of tools by setting-up, adjusting, and maintaining tools to meet required specifications. Plans measure and lay out carpentry materials using broad knowledge of wood materials and substitutes, with general and precision woodworking techniques. Define repairs/upgrades and define required materials (bill of materials), tools and equipment requirements. Repairs plumbing systems. Installing, modifying, and repairing new and existing utility, supply, and disposal systems. Repairs equipment such as sewage, water, oil, and gas distribution systems and water closets, tubs, fire sprinkler systems, and showers.

Conditions of Employment

Requirements

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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). 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:

• Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair
• Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading)
• Materials
• Measuring Instruments
• Technical Practices
• Use and Maintain Hand Tools (Electrical Work)
• 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 substitution for this grade level.

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 https://www.opm.gov/.

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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