Clarification from the agency

This position is only open to all current, permanent employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs located in the Finger Lakes, NY (VISN-2/Station 528).

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Major duties and responsibilities will include:

· Applying the full range of carpentry skills and techniques to remove, disassemble, repair, replace, install and maintain various building structural components to accomplish repairs, alterations, additions and occasionally new construction;

· Using mathematics and performing addition, subtraction, multiplication and division;

· Using common carpenter's rule/square in terms of measuring material to the nearest 1/32 of an inch;

· Applying knowledge of stationary and portable shop materials such as various types and grades of wood, nails, hardware, finishes, molding, wall coverings, and roofing materials necessary to select the correct materials and apply correct trade methods of repair;

· Selecting proper glues, epoxies, bonding agents and other materials required in a hospital setting;

· Measuring, cutting, and fitting wood, dry wall, window glass, light gauge metals, etc. to repair items according to appropriate trade practices;

· Reading work orders, equipment manuals, catalogs, sketches/drawings for gaining information to effectively assemble or repair equipment, doors, windows and hardware;

· Writing information on work orders, purchase order requests and other shop records;

· Reviewing work orders to determine problem and scope of work required;

· Planning and laying out the work, selecting appropriate tools, supplies, parts and materials to accomplish work;

· Reviewing and interpreting drawings, blueprints and manuals as required to determine facility/system layout and location of specific structures and fixtures;

· Making preventive maintenance inspections to determine safety hazards, damage and repair requirements;

· Setting up and operating the full range of industrial woodworking and related power and hand tools, such as portable drills, clippers, joiners, sanders, routers, power activated nail guns, combustion type saws, screw fasteners, drill presses, and table saws;

· Setting up and adjusting stationary power equipment and performing routine maintenance by lubricating machines, changing and sharpening saw blades, and adjusting drive belt tensions;

· Performing related duties as required.

Work Schedule: M-F, 7am-3:30pm.
Position Description Title/PD#: Carpenter/ PD07788-A
Compressed Schedule: Not Authorized
CSI Incentive: 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 by the closing date of this announcement, 04/28/2026.

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

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions: Work assignments require the frequent handling of heavy materials and parts weighing more than 45 pounds. The work also requires pulling, pushing, reaching, walking, standing, crawling, kneeling, bending, and climbing for sustained periods of time. Physical effort is often strenuous and is typical of industrial construction trades.

The work is performed in a shop atmosphere that is frequently hot, dusty, dirty, and noisy. The Carpenter may be required to work outdoors in inclement weather. Working conditions are not always favorable. Some work is performed in a shop area with good lighting, temperature control and ventilation; but some work may be performed in abnormally hot, cold, wet, dark and/or poorly ventilated locations. Some work requires the use of ladders and scaffolds.

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.