Maintenance Worker.

National Cemetery Administration; Elwood (IL); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

National Cemetery Administration seeks a Maintenance Worker to perform carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, painting, masonry, pest control, and irrigation-related tasks. You will read blueprints, prepare surfaces for coatings, and maintain stock for emergency repairs.

The role also involves HVAC upkeep and installing fixtures, shelves, and wiring as needed. Applicants must show experience across multiple trades and proficiency in at least two areas.

Qualifications

• Candidates must demonstrate ability across multiple trades.
• Proficiency in at least two trades through work, training, or related activities.
• Experience with irrigation systems maintenance and related tasks.

Responsibilities

• Perform a full range of building and maintenance trades: carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, painting, masonry, pest control, irrigation tasks and related repairs.
• Read drawings/blueprints to determine sizes and dimensions for repairs and installations.
• Prepare surfaces, apply primers and finish coats of paint on interior/exterior surfaces.
• Maintain inventory of stock for emergency repairs and assist with routine HVAC maintenance.
• Install and repair shelves, cabinets, doors, and other fixtures; wire to and from control boxes and lighting fixtures.

Skills

Carpentry

Plumbing

Electrical work

Painting

Masonry

Pest control

Irrigation

Tools

Hand tools

Power tools

Electrical testing equipment

Job description

Duties

The incumbent accomplishes a full range of building and maintenance trades. Repairs and maintains physical structures, facilities, and utilities using hand and power tools. Builds repairs and installs shelves, cabinets, partitions, floors, doors, and framework. Incumbent is responsible for preparing surfaces for applying primer and finish coats of paint. Paint interiors and exteriors of building and both mobile and stationary equipment using brush, roller, or spray gun on a variety of surfaces. Incumbent works with gloss, semi-gloss and special paints, enamels, varnishes, stains, lacquers, and shellacs. Incumbent assists with plumbing and minor irrigation tasks/repairs. Including pump, valves, spray heads, and controllers, wire to and from main electrical control boxes, switches, lighting fixtures, communication wiring to include computer spools, external modems, telephone systems, and sound systems. Reads and examines drawings to determine sizes and dimensions from blueprints, Incumbent selects materials, such as lumber, paneling, wood, and electrical fixtures. Incumbent maintains the inventory of stock necessary for emergency repairs. Incumbent performs routine minor maintenance on heating and HVAC systems.

Work schedule

May be required to work Monday through Friday to include occasional weekends. Due to the mission of the National Cemetery, the cemetery cannot be closed for more than 2 consecutive days at any given time. Additionally, when a Federal holiday falls on a Monday or Friday, staff may be required to work on that holiday or a Saturday. All staff is required to work Memorial Day each year. Staff will be required to work overtime, weekends and holidays when necessary to meet the needs of the cemetery. Occasionally staff may be called back to the facility to perform emergency overtime work.

Compressed/Flexible Schedule

Not Available

Position Description Title/PD#

Maintenance Worker/ PD1594528

The full performance level of this position is WG - 08.

Relocation Expenses

Not Authorized

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives

Not Authorized

Financial Disclosure Report

Not Required

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• Subject to a background/security investigation.
• 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.
• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job.
• Pass a pre-employment medical examination.
• Must possess a valid REAL ID compliant state driver's license.
• 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,08/20/2026.

Candidates must demonstrate the potential to perform a broad range of building and maintenance trades, including carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, painting, masonry, pest control, asphalt repairs, and related tasks. This includes conducting repair and preventive maintenance of irrigation systems, buildings, structures, facilities, and utilities using hand and power tools. Applicants should show proficiency in at least two of these trades through work, training, or other relevant activities.

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 Qualification Standard Handbook X-118C (

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.

The Screen-out Element(s) For This Position Are/is

• Ability to do the job without more than normal supervision.
• Must possess and maintain a valid REAL ID compliant state driver's license.

JOB ELEMENTS

• Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair
• Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading)
• Materials
• Technical Practices
• 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.

Physical Requirements

Requires prolonged and frequent walking, standing, bending, stooping, and pulling. Climbs ladders and lifts objects weighing over fifty (50) pounds. Must have a full range of upper and lower extremities. Moderate effort required in operating vehicles and tools of the trade. Stamina, dexterity, and perseverance are required in all aspects of incumbent duties. May be required to assist with loading and unloading caskets and urns while performing cemetery caretaker responsibilities.

Working Conditions

Work is performed indoors and outdoors. Incumbent is subject to discomfort when working in unnatural positions for longer periods in all types of weather. Must work under stress and strain in dust, dirt, mud and water. Incumbent may be exposed to occupational injuries, such as cuts, scrapes, bruises, shock and dust from sawing materials, as well as other potential hazards working with machinery, saws, and electrical test equipment while performing duties in this position.

Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drugs use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.

Required

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;
• 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.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Special Employment Consideration

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)

provide 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

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.

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

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members

Please visit the

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the

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.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.