Clarification from the agency

Area of Consideration- Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred to in the following order: 1. All VHA employees. 2. Current permanent Federal employees of other agencies. 3. All other applicants.

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Duties include but are not limited to:

• Performs minor adjustments and repairs including basic system preventative maintenance operations such as replacing belts, cleaning filters, bleeding air, greasing/lubricating, adjusting levels, etc., on such equipment as two 400-pound Medicare Passthru washer/extractors, 50-pound Uniwash, 400-pound Gas Fired Dryer, 110-pound Tru Feed Spreader/Feeder, small piece folders, Vibra Steamer, and cart wash system, lint collection system.
• Requires to safely drive laundry cargo truck carrying gross loads up to 16,000 pounds on commercial roads and highways
• Skilled in the operation of high speed commercial sewing machines, button machine, thermopatch machine, vibra steamer, marking machine, snap fastener, and must be able to make minor adjustments to said machines.
• Trouble-shoot electrical problems with meters and grind chests clean with grinder.
• Gathers and records data required to ensure accurate records of uniforms repaired, items salvaged, uniforms issued, uniforms and supplies in stock, and other records as established that may be required
• Incumbent must have extensive knowledge of preventive maintenance requirements maintaining for industrial laundry equipment including frequency for each PM, appropriate tools, parts/equipment and personal protective equipment
• Mends and repairs facility and contracted linen items and employee apparel.
• Responsible for maintaining a clean and organized work area, including when PM are being performed.
• Hangs uniforms and processes through the vibra-steamer.
• Inventories supplies, linens and uniforms and maintains proper stock levels by making order requests
• Knowledgeable of and must obey all state and local traffic rules and regulations, both on and off VA Medical Center property.
• At times, required to work outside and is exposed to inclement weather when loading and unloading the motor vehicle. Drives in all types of traffic and weather conditions and frequently encounters ice, snow, and fog.
• Maintains a work area that is clean and orderly. Sewing equipment is turned off and covered when not in use. All equipment utilized will be maintained according to established policies and procedures.
• Process textiles using small piece folder, and industrial washer/dryer and ironer.
• Skilled in the use of power tools and hand tools associated with the repair of laundry equipment.
• Driving up to approximately 300 miles in all types of weather and inclement conditions.
• Ensures equipment is turned off and covered when not in use.
• Sort and inspect soiled uniforms for items such as pens, surgical instruments and personally items left in pockets; items will be removed.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 6:00am- 2:30pm
Position Description Title/PD#: Laundry Equipment Mechanic Helper/PD070188
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Authorized
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

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 or 2-year trial 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 within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement, 11/04/2025.

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. 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 Do the Work of the Position without More Than Normal Supervision
• Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (Includes Blueprint Reading)
• Ability to Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
• Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation, and Repair, etc.
• Knowledge of Materials
• Technical Practices (Theoretical, Precise, Artistic)
• Troubleshooting

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/Working Conditions:

• Incumbent will handle light-weight items up to 10 pounds continually and push or pull up to 500- pound carts mounted on rollers when assigned by the Textile Care Foreman to assist with linen processing. Incumbent must use good body mechanics when bending, twisting, stooping, reaching, pushing, and pulling in the performance of duties.
• Work is performed indoors, in a well-lighted environment. While processing employee uniforms, and or servicing laundry equipment, incumbent will be subjected to excessive heat, noise, lint, dust and humidity. May be subject to minor cuts and needle punctures. The incumbent is at times, required to work outside and is exposed to inclement weather when loading and unloading the motor vehicle. He/ She drives in all types of traffic and weather conditions and frequently encounters ice, snow, and fog.

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.

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)
• Series and Grade, if applicable, for all Federal positions you have held
• 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.

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.

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.