Maintenance Worker.

National Cemetery Administration; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

National Cemetery Administration is seeking a Maintenance Worker to perform a broad range of upkeep tasks for buildings, grounds, ponds, and utilities. The role involves reading blueprints, selecting materials, and carrying out carpentry, plumbing, electrical, painting, and masonry repairs.

Work includes routine maintenance of heating, refrigeration, air conditioning equipment, and irrigation systems. It requires physical stamina, adherence to safety rules, and readiness for overtime or weekend

Qualifications

• Proven ability to perform a broad range of building and maintenance trades.
• Experience with hands-on repairs using hand and power tools.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints and drawings.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and repair buildings, grounds, ponds, and related structures and utilities.
• Perform routine minor maintenance and repair of heating, refrigeration, and air conditioning components.
• Work from blueprints, sketches, and oral instructions to carry out repairs and improvements.

Skills

Carpentry

Plumbing

Electrical work

Painting

Masonry

Pest control

Asphalt repairs

Job description

Duties

This is a

Perform a variety of tasks involved in the upkeep of buildings, grounds, ponds, and related structures, fixtures, and utilities. Perform visual examinations and operational tests to determine the need for, and the performance of, repair work on a level of difficulty and responsibility of trades such as: roofing, asphalt work, plumbing, painting, carpentry, and concrete work hose described in job grading standards for the kinds and levels of work shown in the following examples.

Make minor repairs of streets by filling pot holes or replacing asphalt. Read and examine drawings to determine sizes and dimensions from blueprints. Select material such as wood, electrical fixtures, and irrigation system parts.

Perform routine minor maintenance and repair of heating system. Mechanics use a knowledge of the refrigeration cycle of a variety of systems to make visual, audible and mechanical checks for the proper temperature of conditioned spaces; the proper operation of various parts of the refrigeration cycle; proper oil levels; unusual noises; overheated bearings; loose connections; faulty insulation; frayed or loose belts, gaskets and pulleys; and other similar defects. Air conditioning equipment mechanics are skilled in servicing power sources (i.e. tighten connections, makes splices, insulate exposed wires and clean and lubricate moving parts and they test for proper operations and replace items such as belts, fans, fuses, and thermostats. Is also able to work from oral instructions blueprints and work orders.

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 / PD130620

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,08/24/2026.

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

Those who meet the minimum level of experience and training for the screen-out element will then be evaluated in each of the following job elements:

• Technical Practices


• Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading)


• Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment


• Materials


• 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

Work involves prolonged standing, bending, twisting, kneeling, frequent lifting of materials over 50 lbs., and working in cramped positions. Employee may be exposed to noise levels exceeding 85dBA for up to eight (8) hours per day. This exposure may adversely affect hearing. Wearing of hearing protective devices that will contain the noise level to 85dBA or below is mandatory while operating this type of equipment. The work requires moderate effort in maneuvering vehicles and in hooking up equipment attachments to tractors. Frequent walking, stooping, kneeling, and pushing of heavy loads is also required in performing gardening work.

When performing administrative functions, work is performed both indoors in an office setting and outdoors as the incumbent attends committal services during any kind of weather conditions.

Working Conditions

Work must be performed outdoors, and incumbent will be exposed to all types of weather throughout the year. Incumbent will be exposed to the sun, noise, extreme heat, and humidity, cold, snow, rain, wind, and is subject to dirt, dust, fumes (from motor and exhaust) mud, and water. Work is performed in areas where pesticides, insecticides, and fertilizers are applied. Appropriate protective equipment will be worn. The operator is exposed to injury from mishaps that may be involved in the operation of grounds maintenance equipment.

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.

Additional information

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.

The 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.

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 The Fair Chance Act.

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.