Clarification from the agency

Qualified candidates will be referred in the following order: 1) Current, Permanent employees of the Phoenix VA Health Care System, 2) Current, Permanent employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs, 3) All Other Qualified Applicants.

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30 Day Hiring Model The Department of Veterans Affairs is implementing a streamlined 30-Day Hiring Model designed to accelerate hiring while maintaining the highest standards of merit-based selection. This improved process reduces traditional hiring timelines by integrating early coordination, faster assessments, and efficient pre-employment actions. Applicants can expect a more transparent, predictable, and efficient hiring journey from announcement to entry on duty. What Applicants Can Expect

• Expedited Candidate Review Once the announcement closes, Human Resources will quickly review applications, issue certificates of eligible candidates the day after the announcement closes and refer applicants for hiring manager consideration.
• Quick Interviews & References

HR may arrange interviews and will request references within 3-5 days after being referred to the hiring manager.

• Streamlined Pre-Employment Requirements: Following a tentative offer, applicants should be prepared to complete required steps, such as fingerprinting and background check, credentialing, and medical examination within 3 days of the offer.
• Clear and Timely Communication: Applicants will receive clear communication at key milestones, including referral, tentative offer, and onboarding instructions.

After meeting pre-employment requirements, candidates will receive a final job offer and start date. Onboarding tasks may continue after starting, with HR ensuring timely completion for a smooth transition into VA service. If selected, applicants should be prepared to come onboard within 30 days of the announcement closing.

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Performs a variety of masonry tasks involving the maintenance, repair, alteration or construction of interior and exterior surfaces and structures such as walls, partitions, foundations, manholes, catch basins, floors, walks drains, gutters and other similar structures built of common brick, face brick, fire brick, cinder block, concrete block, gypsum block, glass block, hollow file, terra cotta and varieties of artificial and natural stone.
• Incumbent must have extensive knowledge of masonry tools, cement mixing equipment, powered abrasive saws, paving breakers, jack hammers, drills, edging tools, jointers and hand tools.
• Incumbent will develop patterns and lay out, cut, form, join and install items and system which have combined straight and curved edges or irregular curves and planes.
• Interprets blueprints, drawings, sketches and work orders.
• The incumbent uses skilled techniques to construct, install, repair and modify wood and wood substitute structures and items requiring close tolerance fit and structural soundness.
• Carpenters will interpret drawings, blueprints and Specifications independently and determine the layout and work sequences and types of lumber or special related materials.
• Assembles and fastens fabricated parts by installing bolts, rivets, screws and/or seaming.
• Skilled in operating and using power and hand tools and other woodworking equip such as portable drills, jointers, sanders, routers, power activated nailers, combustion type saws, screw fasteners, drill presses and table saws.
• Prepares surfaces by methods such as smoothing with pumice and rottenstone, filling, shaping and leveling with metal and synthetic resins and mixing and pre-coating agents.
• Prepare coating materials by tinting, toning, matching, blending and mixing in various additives.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00 am - 3:30 pm
Position Description Title/PD#: Maintenance Mechanic - Building Maintenance/PD10094O
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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, 05/20/2026.

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.
• Knowledge of Materials
• Technical Practices (Theoretical, Precise, Artistic)

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: The incumbent works from ladders, scaffolding and hydraulic platforms. He/she often works in portions of the utility systems requiring attention that are cramped, dirty and hard-to-reach locations. The work may involve prolonged crouching and standing and frequent stooping, bending, kneeling, climbing and working in exhausting and uncomfortable positions. The incumbent frequently lifts or carries tools, equipment, ladders, scaffolding, parts and supplies up to 50 pounds. Occasionally, the incumbent will be required to lift and carry items over 50 pounds.
Working Conditions: Exposed to a full array of weather conditions. Subject to danger of falling when working from ladders or hydraulic lifts. Exposed to dust/dirt while mixing mortar and handling materials. Work is performed in all areas of the hospital environment, inside and outside. Work is often dirty, dusty and greasy. The incumbent is subjected to such hazardous conditions as injury from power driven tools, falling from scaffolds and ladders, temperature extremes, noise, and bad weather conditions. He/she is frequently exposed to the possibilities of cuts, bruises, scratches, broken bones, and burns. He/she is subject to asbestos exposure and chemicals which can cause bums or irritation to the skin. Some duties may require incumbent to wear protective equipment and clothing that is heavy and uncomfortable.

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.