Maintenance Mechanic Helper

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; City of Albany (NY); On-site; USD 40,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Albany, NY is seeking a Maintenance Mechanic Helper to support trade shops in facilities management.

This entry-level role assists skilled workers across HVAC, plumbing, carpentry, painting, electrical, and machine shops using hand and power tools. You will transfer tools and materials, help install or repair machinery, adjust and test equipment, and maintain work areas.

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship; federal employment eligibility as required by VA.
• Background investigation and urinalysis for drug screening.
• REAL ID compliant driver's license or state ID required after May 7, 2025.
• One-year probationary period of employment evaluation.

Responsibilities

• Assist with duties across HVAC, Plumbing, Carpentry, Painting, Electrical and Machine Shops.
• Transfer tools, parts, equipment, and supplies to and from workstations.
• Disassemble and reassemble equipment for repair.
• Assist in installation or replacement of machinery and parts using hand/power tools.
• Inspect machinery and keep work areas clean and organized.

Job description

Major Duties

• Work involves performing duties as a trade helper and labor pool for the trade shops in facilities management. This position is established to provide assistance to higher grade workers in the areas of Heating Ventilating and Air Conditioning, Plumbing, Carpentry, Painting, Electrical, and Machine Shops. Incumbent will work with hand tools and provide assistance when needed with the various tasks encompassing these types of trades. Duties include but are not limited to the following: Transfer tools, parts, equipment, and supplies to and from workstations and other areas Disassemble broken or defective equipment to facilitate repair and reassemble equipment when repairs are complete Assist with the installation or replacement of machinery, equipment, and new or replacement parts and instruments, using hand or power tools Examine and test machinery, equipment, components, and parts for defects to ensure proper functioning Hold or supply tools, parts, equipment, and supplies for other workers Assist in positioning machinery, equipment, physical structures, and other objects for assembly or installation, using hand tools, power tools, and moving equipment Adjust, maintain, and repair tools, equipment, and machines, and assist more skilled workers with similar tasks Adjust, connect, or disconnect wiring, piping, tubing, and other parts, using hand or power tools Clean or lubricate vehicles, machinery, equipment, instruments, tools, work areas, and other objects, using hand tools, power tools, and cleaning equipment Assemble and maintain physical structures, using hand or power tools Perform other duties as assigned Work Schedule: Full-Time, Monday - Friday, 7:00am to 3:30pm Position Description Title/PD#: Maintenance Mechanic Helper/PD06708A Physical Requirements: The work requires a considerable amount of standing, stooping, bending, kneeling, climbing, lifting 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 the equipment. The incumbent carries, lifts, and handles parts and equipment weighing up to 90 pounds.

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