Clarification from the agency

This position is open to current, permanent Lexington VAMC employees, VA-wide employees, and all U.S. Citizens. DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.201) for this occupation.

The incumbent selects materials and tools, maintains inventory of supplies, determines techniques and tools required, and coordinates with other services and individuals to ensure patient access to care is uninterrupted.

Incumbent is responsible for the following duties:

• Carpentry
  • The incumbent performs carpentry alterations, erection of partitions using wood and metal studs, furring out walls, hanging drywall, hang doors, repair and construct window screens, screen doors, and storm windows and doors, builds forms for concrete. Some lead-lined drywall may be utilized requiring familiarity with procedures for insuring containment of splatter radiation.
  • Install and repair all types of floor coverings such as, asphalt and vinyl tile, wood floors, and carpeting install and repair all types of roofing and guttering and install various types of ceiling tile and track, including fiberglass soundproof ceiling tile.
  • Incumbent uses power tools such as radial saws, band saws, electric hand saws, electric joiners and planers (both fixed and portable), assists in keeping all tools used in his section in good repair and working condition.
• Plastering
  • Incumbent must have the knowledge and ability to clean out the bad plaster, prepare the surface and repair utilizing scratch and finish coats. Plastering is done on a variety of surfaces such as clay tile; plaster board, metal lathe, and corner bead.
  • Proper cement mortar must be mixed for bond and strength. Walls must be in the true alignment according to plans and existing features. Reinforcement is used for horizontal joints and lintels.
• Masonry
  • Incumbent utilizes a variety of masonry products and techniques including concrete, concrete blocks, brick, clay tile, terrazzo and terra cotta in constructing and maintaining horizontal and vertical structures within the Medical Center, at times in accordance with stringent NFPA requirements.
• Wallpaper/Vinyl Hanging
  • Incumbent must have knowledge for preparation of all types of wall surfaces for hanging all types of residential and commercial grades of wallpaper. Assess existing surfaces for necessary surface preparation, proper paste and appropriate covering material.
• Painting
  • Incumbent paints the interior and exterior of approximately 46 buildings ranging in height from one story to eight stories. Incumbent must have expert knowledge in the application of paint such as latex, enamel, polyurethane, epoxy, metallics, acrylics and urethane varnish. Incumbent must have knowledge of stains to finish hand rubbed doors and fabricated items.
  • Incumbent must be capable of adapting joint dimensions, mortar mix/selection and trade techniques to a variety of existing site conditions as well as coordinating work with weather changes.
• General Maintenance
  • Incumbent completes various general facility maintenance tasks to include assisting Electrician, HVAC, and Plumbing shops with non-technical tasks.
  • Incumbent may be assigned to other duties.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Position Description Title/PD#: Maintenance Mechanic/PD30114A
Physical Requirements: Work involves standing, bending, sitting, squatting, and kneeling for long periods of time in cramped position. May be required to crawl into tight places or climb to heights as much as 100 feet from the ground and then perform duties at this height. Physical effort requires hand sawing, nailing and lifting large articles or assemblies. Work is carried on both inside and outside in fair weather and foul, in ventilated and unventilated areas, and subject to cuts and bruises during work processes.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
• Subject to a background/suitability investigation
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• A complete application package; including Resume, Transcripts, etc. is 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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• 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 , 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.

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:

• Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair
• Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading)
• Materials
• Measuring Instruments
• Technical Practices
• Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
• 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.

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.