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Maintenance Foreman

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
VA Portland Health Care System
This job announcement has closed

Summary

The foreman is under the general supervision of the Chief, Projects and Operations. This position has supervisory responsibility one(1) WL-5402-10 Utility System Operator Work Leader, five (5) WG-4742-9 Utility System Operators, one (1) WG5306-11 A/C Equipment Mechanic, four(4)WG-5306-10 A/C Equipment Mechanics and one (1) WG-4748-08 Maintenance Worker.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
10/01/2025 to 10/20/2025
Salary
$48.56 to - $56.65 per hour
Pay scale & grade
WS 10
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Portland, OR
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
CBSV-12806869-25-SE
Control number
847192000

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Duties

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SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

  • Must understand where various components fit in to the Medical Center utility systems and at what levels.
  • Must be able to interpret building blueprints, shop drawings, and do shop math required for piping layouts.
  • Must be knowledgeable in principles and theories of air conditioning and refrigeration, such as heat transfer
    laws, refrigeration cycles, pressure temperature relationships, etc
  • This position requires the knowledge to operate high-pressure boilers and must be able from various flow meters, gauges, charts, and thermometers determine whether the equipment is meeting called for production in a safe, efficient manner
  • Must know how to adjust boiler controls to attain maximum combustion efficiency and understand the function of and operate all auxiliary equipment.
  • Knowledge of building management computer systems and ability to operate the systema re required.
  • Typical responsibilities include supervision of the employees in the HVAC section, which operate and perform maintenance on a complete building utilities system.
RESPONSIBILITY
  • Typical responsibilities include supervision of the employees in the HVAC section, which operate and perform maintenance on a complete building utilities system.
  • Incumbent receives work orders from the Chief, Projects and Operations usually on a day-by-day or job-by-job basis.
  • Follows established step-by-step work procedures or recognized trades practices and makes minor deviations in procedures or methods to meet such temporary conditions as delayed delivery of materials, breakdown of equipment, or unusual absence.
  • The foreman will make progressive and final inspections of completed work for adherence to instructions, work orders and established trade practices.
  • Foreman will instruct new employees, conduct on the job training and work with staff, demonstrating proper procedures and the amount of production expected.
PLANNING
  • The incumbent plans weekly and monthly work schedules for subordinate employees.
  • Plans fuel deliveries in advance to ensure required minimum supplies are on hand at all times.
  • Establishes deadlines and priorities on the basis of general work schedules, work methods, and policies established by higher levels of supervision.
  • Maintains a tool inventory as outlined in the Engineering policy, assuring that staff has adequate tools for completion of assignments.
WORK DIRECTION
  • Determines the allocation of manpower and materials within the section to assure that deadlines are met and all necessary work is being accomplished.
  • Initiates cost reduction projects such as increased boiler efficiency procedures.
  • Monitors the safety and efficiency of subordinates in their work assignments.
  • Encourages good moral of employees by informing them of new developments and changes.
  • Maintains a positive, supportive attitude toward Facilities Management Service and VAMC management. Encourages their employees to do the same.

Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 7:30am-4:00pm PST
Position Description Title/PD#: Maintenance Foreman/PD010740
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
  • Subject to background/security investigation
  • Pre-employment physical required
  • 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.
  • Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
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 or trial 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, 10/20/2025.

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. The screen out element for this announcement is: Ability To Lead Or Supervise. Examples include: Leading or supervising employees and applying principles and theories related to air conditioning and refrigeration, such as heat transfer laws, refrigeration cycles, and pressure-temperature relationships. Operate high-pressure boilers. Supervising employees who operate and maintain complete building utility systems, which include boilers, air handling systems, refrigeration units, fire systems, and emergency generators. Utilizing psychometric charts and possessing the skills and knowledge needed to balance complex heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and smoke control systems using computer controls and making manual adjustments as needed. Operating building management computer systems.

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:

  • Ability to Lead or Supervise
  • Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading)
  • Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation, and Repair, etc.
  • Materials
  • Measuring Instruments
  • Technical Practices (Theoretical, Precise, Artistic)
  • 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 Requirements: Requires infrequent lifting of up to 50 pounds. Although there is frequent walking, stooping and bending involved in the work, it is not constant. Uses ladders frequently in hard to reach places, stooping, stretching bending and kneeling are frequently for longer periods of time

Working Conditions: The incumbent can be called upon to work day, swing, and graveyard shifts so workload can be accomplished. There is constant exposure to caustic chemicals, hot metal surfaces, extremely environmentally adverse conditions and the danger of scalding liquids and steam. While most of the hazards are contained or protective equipment is available, there are occasions of extreme exposure (such as cleaning interior boiler
surfaces) when contamination cannot be totally eliminated.

Education

There is no education substitution for this series/grade.

Additional information


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 Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

Resume Reminder - Your resume must include the following information for each job listed:

  • Job title
  • Duties (be as detailed as possible)
  • Month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008)
  • Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)
  • Salary/Rank etc.
  • Series and Grade, if applicable, for all Federal positions you have held
  • References, current or recent supervisor

Do not include the following types of information in your resume:

  • Classified or Government sensitive information
  • Social Security Number (SSN)
  • Photos of yourself
  • Personal information, such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc

Please be aware that your answers will be verified against information provided on your resume. Be sure that your resume clearly supports your responses to all of the questions by addressing your work experience in detail. The experience stated in your resume must support your assessment responses.

Recommended: Even though we do not require a specific resume format, your resume must be clear so that we are able to fully evaluate your qualifications. To ensure you receive appropriate consideration, please list the duties you performed under each individual job title. If we are unable to match your experiences with the positions held, you may lose consideration for this vacancy. We cannot make assumptions regarding your qualifications.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

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.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

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