Maintenance Mechanic

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Providence (RI); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs at the Providence VA Medical Center in Rhode Island is seeking a Maintenance Mechanic to perform upkeep of equipment, buildings, grounds, and utilities.

You will work with electrical diagrams, perform repairs across trades, and use hand tools and test equipment to ensure safe, reliable medical center operations. The role supports 24/7 hospital operations with second shift typically 3:00pm–11:30pm; interview discussions will finalize the exact tour of duty.

Qualifications

• Experience or training evidence showing ability to perform maintenance duties.
• Credit for all qualifying work experience, paid or volunteer, as applicable.
• Ability to operate in a hospital maintenance environment and follow safety protocols.

Responsibilities

• The Maintenance Mechanic maintains equipment, buildings, grounds and related utilities of the Medical Center.
• Works with wiring diagrams and electrical manuals when repairing equipment.
• Handles pipes, cutting, threading, and installing couplings and joints.
• Repairs and maintains equipment comparable to electricians, carpenters, plumbers, and welders.
• Uses principles of electrical medical equipment maintenance to diagnose and repair devices like sterilizers and suction units.
• Plans tasks using blueprints, schematics, and flow sheets; orders parts and maintains stock.
• Reports time and materials per medical center procedures.
• Operates hand tools and test equipment (wire cutters, drills, soldering irons, meters).
• Shifts: 24/7 hospital ops; typical second shift 3:00pm–11:30pm; start times discussed at interview.

Skills

Equipment assembly

Installation

Repair

Troubleshooting

Tools maintenance

Reading blueprints

Tools

Welding

Electrical diagrams

Schematic interpretation

Job description

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.

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.

Duties

• 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.