Clarification from the agency

Open to Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL), Individuals with disabilities; Federal employees serving in the Competitive Service on Career or Career-Conditional appointment or in the Excepted Service with an Interchange Agreement; Permanent Title 38 employees; Former federal employees eligible for reinstatement; 30% Disabled Veterans, Veterans' Recruitment Appointment (VRA), Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA), Military spouses or based on completion of service in the Peace Corps

Videos

The incumbent of this position serves as a maintenance helper (Minor Building Maintenance Type tasks) throughout areas of the hospital for Environmental Management Service and performs sanitation duties when required. Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Hangs pictures, signs and similar decorations;
• Installs and makes minor repairs to casters on furniture;
• Performs maintenance and minor repairs to office furniture;
• Installs standard curtain rods and traverse rods;
• Removes and installs pull shades;
• Performs first echelon preventive maintenance on EMS equipment (such as replacing belts, bolts, screws, etc.);
• Oils and greases items such as chair rollers and wheel bearings;
• Replaces light lens and tubes;
• Makes minor repairs to wall surfaces and does touch-up painting to walls and door frames;
• Frees-up stopped-up plumbing fixtures to include commodes, face bowls, water fountains and urinals; and
• Other duties as assigned.
• Assists with snow removal (such as operating vehicles for snow plowing, using snow blowers and shoveling).

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:00am to 3:30pm
Position Description Title/PD#: Maintenance Helper/PD518-00460-A
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

Notifications:

• Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.
• Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held.
• This position is not a Bargaining Unit position.
• This position is covered by a special rate.
• Interchange Agreements with Other Merit System: Employees who occupy medical or medical-related positions and were appointed under 38 U.S.C. 4701(1) or (3) [formerly 38 U.S.C. 4104 (1) and (3)] must be serving in a full-time position without time limit and have served continuously for at least one year in this other merit system to be eligible to convert to the Title 5 System. Some exceptions to this rule may apply if you have previously acquired tenure under a Title 5 appointment.

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
• Selectee must have a valid unrestricted driving license.
• 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, 05/18/2026.

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:

• Follow Directions
• Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading)
• Physical Strength and Agility
• Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
• Without more than normal supervision
• Work Practices

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.

Working Conditions: Works indoors in a Medical Center setting. Since much of the work is done in patient care areas, the incumbent must be ever alert to the safety and wellbeing of patients, staff, and fellow employees. Indoor work is generally in areas of adequate heat, light and ventilation. Duties may also involve work in tight, cramped, wet, dry and dusty areas. Incumbent may be exposed to skin irritations from strong chemical solutions. Outdoor work in varied temperatures. Incumbent may be subject to minor cuts, scrapes and bruises.

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions: Incumbent must be able to do considerable amount of walking, standing, stooping, bending and crawling. Must be able to work in congested areas, in tight, cramped or awkward positions. Incumbent may be required to carry and set-up ladders and indoor scaffolding. May be required to lift or move heavy equipment or furniture that may weigh more than 50 pounds. Working conditions may include work from ladders and indoor scaffolds. Incumbent will be exposed to environmental cleaning chemicals, which may be irritating. May be required to wear protective clothing and wear respirator in performance of duties.

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.