Clarification from the agency

ALL US CITIZENS DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.201) for this occupation.

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• Measures, cuts, constructs assembles and/ or repairs wood or wood substitute items such as scaffolding, staging parts, panels, bins, pallets, concrete forms, stud walls, and roof decking to provide a serviceable product, but where final appearance is not the primary consideration.
• Plans and completes projects which involve constructing, altering, repairing, and/or modifying framework, doors/door locks, finished paneling, windows, rough furniture, interior/exterior trim, staircases, trusses and beams.
• Spacing, accuracy and fit are essential, and structural soundness or appearances are important. T
• Builds walls, partitions, and dust barriers from metal studs, wood, drywall, plastic, etc.
• Responsible for wall repair and preparation including but not limited to drywall repair and replacement and applying the first round of taping and compound.
• Responsible for maintaining records concerning the keying system, repairs made in response to work orders, and parts and material used.
• Repairs and installs cabinets, bookcases, picture frames, frames, suspended ceilings, vinyl floor tile, louvers, scaffolds, bulletin boards, railings, etc. He/she repairs windows, screens, carts, and chairs.
• Installs miscellaneous operating fixtures such as soap and towel dispensers, and window coverings such as shades, curtain rods, blinds, etc.
• Plans, measures, and lays out carpentry materials using general knowledge of wood materials and substitutes and general woodworking techniques.
• Plans, measures, and lays out carpentry projects when provided complete, detailed, sketches, blueprints, or instructions.
• Operates and uses hand and power tools, saws, hammers, drills, routers, power glue guns, power saws, sanders, and planes, etc.
• Operates and uses various nails, screws, bonding materials, and specialized fasteners.
• Operates and uses tools to prevent splitting, chipping, and splintering of materials. Applies lacquer, varnish, shellac to finished wood surfaces as needed.
• Performs preventive maintenance and repair on wheelchairs, lawn furniture, laundry carts, and wheels and casters on all types of rolling stock.
• Performs minor plumbing repairs such as bathroom fixtures, plumbing supply lines and drains, water heaters, repair and replace gas, oil and compressed air lines, pumps, valves and traps in the absence of the Plumber.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Mon - Fri 0700 - 15:30
Position Description Title/PD#: Carpenter/PD09263A
Physical Requirements: Work is performed in a wood shop and/or at job sites. Work may require standing for extended periods while operating machines, stooping, stretching, bending, crawling and kneeling for long periods of time. Strenuous physical exertion is sometimes required when handling heavy and bulky building and construction materials. Work typically requires climbing on ladders, platforms, scaffolding and including, but not limited to man lifts and other elevated surfaces possibly in hard to reach places and rooftops. Work may require lifting and moving material up to 50 pounds, unassisted and occasionally, lifting or moving heavier items with the assistance of lifting devices or other workers. The Carpenter makes repairs and installations from ladders, scaffolding and platforms in order to repair/maintain systems and equipment in hard-to-reach places. This requires he/she to stand, stoop, bend, kneel, climb and work in tiring and uncomfortable positions.
Work Conditions
The majority of the incumbent's work will be in a shop area, where the employee is exposed to moderate or high noise levels form operating machinery, sawdust in the air, fumes and hazards associated with woodworking and related power equipment, or within the Medical Center. When working at job sites, incumbent will be exposed to weather conditions and the hazard of working on and around scaffolds and ladders. Occasionally will work in cramped spaces and will be subject to cuts, scrapes, bums and temperature changes. The incumbent will be subject to working in dirty, dark and uncomfortable areas such as crawlspaces and warehousing areas. He/she may be subject to wearing respirators, eye protection and other personal protective equipment when working with drywall, lath and plaster, various types of coatings and during sanding operations.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Services Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• 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.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

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
• Measurement and Layout
• 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.