Clarification from the agency

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Duties include but not limited to:

• Upkeep of excavators, backhoes, tractors, busses, loaders, plows, commercial mowers, bailers, street sweepers, golf carts, dumps, chainsaws, hedge trimmers, weed trimmers, leaf blowers, air compressors, lifts, pumps, motors, etc.
• Clean, remove, adjust, and replace defective parts and components on both diesel and gas equipment or vehicles.
• Clean, remove, adjust, and replace filters, screens, battery cables, and other engine components.
• Repair vehicles and equipment to include bucket truck, forklift, backhoe, street sweeper, EZ-Go carts, and other equipment by replacing water pumps, spark plugs, brake shoes, mufflers, gaskets, hoses, batteries, radiators, etc.
• Operate, use test equipment and tools such as wrenches, sockets, brake tools, pliers, screwdrivers, etc.
• Service and check radiators by flushing and replacing anti-freeze.
• Perform preventive maintenance on equipment such as sweepers, backhoe, farm tractors, gang mowers, sprayers, mowers, thatchers, aerators, etc., by lubricating, adjusting belts, sharpening blades, checking fluid levels, cleaning, and charging batteries.
• Prepare requests for parts, materials and operating supplies using manufacturer's pamphlets or commercial parts catalogs.
• Operate multi-passenger, dual axle, air brakes, hydraulic brakes vehicles.
• Use gardening skills in planting and maintaining flowerbeds, shrubs, trees, a bast lawn with an array of difficulty, mowing, pruning, sodding, trimming, planting, assessing soil mixtures, and preparing and applying pesticides/humus/insecticides, etc.
• To perform duties of driver, mechanic will be required to know and be certified annually in Basic First Aid, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and protective precautions with communicably transmitted diseases. Must be skilled in the operation of multi-passenger, dual axle, air brakes, hydraulic brakes vehicles, and have a current valid Tennessee driver's license Must be familiar with National Department of Transportation and multi-state guidelines/policies governing motor vehicle operators and well versed in every aspect of patient safety during transport.
• Automotive Mechanic should be familiar and adept in the use of the Motor Vehicle Daily Log Sheet, procedures for reporting of accidents, breakdowns, or equipment failure/needs, etc., and GSA/CEOSH reporting requirements.

Work Schedule: Dayshift
Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Not Authorized
Position Description Title/PD#: Automotive Mechanic/PD605140
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Authorized
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Driving Required: Yes

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)
• Possess a valid state issued drivers license

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 by the closing date of this announcement, 03/20/2026.

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.
• 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: Work in tiring, awkward and uncomfortable positions. Stand for long periods of time. Bend, stoop, crawl under vehicles and make repair in tight spaces. Frequently lifts, handles, and carries parts and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds. Occasionally moves moderately heavy items with assistance or with mechanical devices, including objects weighing over 50 pounds. Incumbent must exert moderate to arduous physical effort involving walking, standing, bending, stooping, lifting, working overhead and crawling. Incumbent must be able to climb ladders and scaffolding and operate bucket truck. Work performed is of a precise nature requiring prolonged concentration. Incumbent works at times under conditions of moderate stress and must be able to interact effectively with medical center patients, visitors and staff in a calm, analytical, professional manner.
Working Conditions: Incumbent works primarily around and with hazardous mechanical and electrical equipment with the potential for serious injury and/or death. Physical agility and dexterity are required while working on and around equipment. Work is performed inside on concrete surfaces where there is exposure to drafts, noise and fumes from vehicles as well as outside under adverse weather conditions ranging from snow and ice removal during winter to peak-sun exposure during the growing season. Continually exposed to dirt, dust, and grease, and to the potential for burns, chemical irritations, shocks, bruises, cuts, and strains. Follows prescribed safety practices and uses safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, and respirators. Incumbent will sometimes be required to work in environments where the hazards of asbestos, burns, exposure to chemicals, radiation, and contagious diseases exist and will be exposed to various elements of weather when working outside. Incumbent must know and follow procedures for working in areas of fuels oil, grease, dust noise and fumes from vehicles, exposure to extreme hot and cold weather conditions when assisting gardeners and areas of infectious fluids, radiation, dirt, dust and asbestos when aiding facilities maintenance units. The Automotive Mechanic must use all appropriate safety devices, tools, clothing, and other personal protective equipment to protect self, other staff, patients, and visitors at all times.

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.

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.