This position is located in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), VISN 6, at the Durham VA Medical Center, under the Facilities Management Service. The primary duties of the position are to provide assistance and training to journey-level craftsmen in a variety of trades to include Utility Systems Operator, AC Equipment Mechanic, Electronic Industrial Controls Mechanic, etc. The position will have a regular, day shift work schedule, but will cover night/weekend shifts, as needed.
Summary
This position is located in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), VISN 6, at the Durham VA Medical Center, under the Facilities Management Service. The primary duties of the position are to provide assistance and training to journey-level craftsmen in a variety of trades to include Utility Systems Operator, AC Equipment Mechanic, Electronic Industrial Controls Mechanic, etc. The position will have a regular, day shift work schedule, but will cover night/weekend shifts, as needed.
ALL US CITIZENS
DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.201) for this occupation.
Veterans' Preference: Since the Direct-Hire Recruitment Authority is being used, traditional Veterans' Preference rules do not apply. Qualified veterans will, however, be given full consideration for this position.
The incumbent must perform, in addition to his Leader duties, those of three (3) or more trade and/or other blue-collar work, including the Utility Systems Operator, Air Conditioning (AC) Equipment Mechanic, Electronic Industrial Controls Mechanic and Motor Vehicle Operator.
Consistently and independently leads and oversees their subordinates in their assignments
Answers workers' questions regarding procedures, policies, written instructions, and other directives (e.g., technical orders)
Accurately records incidents and/or employee misconduct and provides appropriate paperwork to the supervisor
Incumbent works closely with Operations Section Supervisor on work accomplishments through oral and written reports
Verify that preventive maintenance inspection has been completed monthly (ie: verifies physical location, type of equipment and required maintenance on listed equipment)
Performs normal repetitive functions of operations, observations, inspections, tests, repairs, and preventive maintenance within the Operations section of the Facilities Management Service
This position is responsible for 24/7 monitoring, maintenance and operation of the medical air, gas and vacuum system
Incumbent is responsible for assigning and monitoring preventive maintenance, work orders, monitoring work order status reports, boiler safety tests, and water treatment tests.
Maintains, repairs, installs and modifies complex heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment and systems, maintaining, repairing, installing and modifying refrigerated storage equipment.
Operates, monitors, maintains, facilitates repairs, and schedules one (1) or more 10-15 passenger shuttle vans that transport patients to and from the Durham VA Medical Center and other locations.
The position is responsible for maintaining a valid, active Driver's License and the Boiler Plant Certification, in order to train subordinate staff, drive the 10-15 passenger shuttle van and independently operate the boiler plant.
Work Schedule: 7:30 am - 4:00 pm, Monday - Friday; will cover night/weekend shifts, as needed Position Description Title/PD#: Maintenance Mechanic/PD070510
Physical Requirements: Work is performed at various sites throughout the facility. The incumbent must push, pull, lift, and carry a variety of materials and heavy equipment (ie: pumps, motors, fixtures, tools, ladders, testing equipment, etc,), up to 50lbs. on a frequent basis, and occasionally over 50 pounds. This position is required to walk, stand, stoop, climb, balance, kneel and crouch for extended periods of time to make necessary assessments and perform repairs. The incumbent works in cramped positions at times and must be continuously alert to the many hazardous conditions that prevail in the in the plant and the facility to prevent unscheduled downtime and failures.
The incumbent must be able to maneuver in and out of the shuttle van, drive for varying periods of time, perform minor vehicle repairs, and perform moderate to heavy lifting when loading and unloading patients.
The incumbent must be physically sound and have good coordination of eyes, hands, feet, and vision and depth perception. He/she must be mentally alert to traffic hazards and dangers of the highway.
This position may also require sitting at a desk, in front of a computer, to perform administrative tasks (ie: pulling reports, entering work orders, ordering parts, tools, equipment, etc.).
Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
May serve a probationary period
Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc.
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.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
This position is responsible for maintaining a valid, active Driver's License and the Boiler Plant Certification, in order to train subordinate staff, drive the 10-15 passenger shuttle van on campus and to nearby VA locations, and independently operate the boiler plant.
Preferred experience: 5+ years High Pressure Boiler Operation Experience (Fire Tube or Water Tube) is preferred. Universal EPA certification preferred.
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:
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.
Education
This job does not have an education qualification requirement.
Additional information
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 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 trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
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 (TJO). Please visit the Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP), va.gov/EMPLOYEE/docs/The-Fair-Chance-to-Compete-Act.pdf for more information.
The following will be communicated to applicants for VA employment in a testing designated position and will also be included in all VA vacancy announcements for such positions: 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.
The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website which can be found at https://www.opm.gov/.
Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
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.
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. Applicants will be referred in the order in which they were received.
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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
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.
Please review the above list(s) to ensure you have included all necessary documents required for your application.Not every applicant will require the same documents, therefore it is the applicants responsibility to ensure that their application package includes all necessary documents to determine qualifications and eligibility for appointment, such as a copy of your SF-50, transcript, ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).You will not be contacted for additional information. Applicants will be deemed ineligible if supporting documentation is not submitted.
Veterans' Preference: Since the Direct-Hire Recruitment Authority is being used, traditional Veterans' Preference rules do not apply. Qualified veterans will, however, be given full consideration for this position.
Applications are accepted online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.
To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 12/29/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12847889.
1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Durham VA Medical Center
508 Fulton Street
Durham, NC 27705
US
Next steps
After the vacancy announcement closes, applicants are evaluated to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Please review the above list(s) to ensure you have included all necessary documents required for your application.Not every applicant will require the same documents, therefore it is the applicants responsibility to ensure that their application package includes all necessary documents to determine qualifications and eligibility for appointment, such as a copy of your SF-50, transcript, ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).You will not be contacted for additional information. Applicants will be deemed ineligible if supporting documentation is not submitted.
Veterans' Preference: Since the Direct-Hire Recruitment Authority is being used, traditional Veterans' Preference rules do not apply. Qualified veterans will, however, be given full consideration for this position.
Applications are accepted online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.
To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 12/29/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12847889.
1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Durham VA Medical Center
508 Fulton Street
Durham, NC 27705
US
Next steps
After the vacancy announcement closes, applicants are evaluated to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
