Clarification from the agency

HINES VA PERMANENT EMPLOYEES ONLY.

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This position being established and organizationally aligned under Engineering Services - at the Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, Hines IL. (578) - a Level la Complexity VHA Facility. The position functions to improve the efficiency, effectiveness and productivity of the Maintenance and Operations Section and to perform numerous tasks which are dissimilar in kind, but which have in common the purpose of completing the work of one or more trade persons in the section, as part of Engineering Service maintenance & repair procedures.

The position is located in the Builders Shop/Maintenance and Operations Section of Engineering service. The incumbent supervises employees, plans and coordinates the work required to fabricate, install, repair and maintain a variety of building components including plumbing, electrical, plastering, painting, locksmithing, and carpentry. This position is unique and has the distinct work functions of construction and building repairs. Typical responsibilities include interpretation of policies and procedures, subordinates' work assignments, workload adjustments, equipment justification, project planning/scheduling and how the work is completed. The incumbent will assign and direct the work of subordinates of similar and dissimilar/unrelated occupations at the grades between WG-7 thru WG-10. Approximately 70% of the incumbent's time is spent in supervising and organizing employees and 30% in shop planning for materials, work processes and coordinating projects.

The incumbent will be responsible for developing employee performance objectives, completing annual employee performance evaluations, and managing employee training, employee grievances, and the disciplinary action process. He or she will manage the administration of all employee time off requests in VATAS and the approval of employee overtime when deemed appropriate.
The incumbent will participate in the Moves Committee meeting and work in unison with committee members to ensure all maintenance repair functions are completed throughout the Moves process by their assigned deadlines. This will require the coordination and supervision of shop personnel and grounds personnel to accomplish Moves related tasking.
The incumbent may be required to coordinate and oversee contracted maintenance projects and therefore must already possess, or be able to obtain, a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) certification within 3 months of position selection.
The incumbent will share with, participate in, and make recommendations to the Maintenance Chief in all areas pertinent to the direction of campus maintenance repair functions.
The incumbent will participate in emergency response and after-hours on-call rotations as required.

Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday-Friday, 7 AM-3:30 PM
Position Description Title/PD#: Supervisory Maintenance Mechanic.
Preferred experience -Selective Placement factor.
Quality ranking factor.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• 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 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 identification 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, 10/12/2026.

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.

Your resume must show evidence that you possess, but is not limited to, your ability to: exercise independent judgement and initiative regarding the accomplishment of the work in a unit; be responsible for assuring the efficient and economical completion of work assignments by your subordinate's within general work schedules set by higher levels of supervision; motivate subordinates to operate as an effective working unit; define the standards of quality and quantity which must be met; interpret schematic drawings, blueprints and ability to apply specifications and guidelines by manufacturers and other sources; and your possession of several years of experience in building construction, plumbing installation and repair, electrical installation and repair, and in the repair and work required to perform modifications of items and structures throughout a hospital complex, including all keying systems, carpentry framework, cabinets, rafters, doors, finished paneling, exterior and interior trim, brick and tile masonry units of interior and exterior walls of buildings, stacks, concrete foundations, vinyl, ceramic floor and wall tile, ceiling tile, etc..

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 eligibilities are then rated against the remainder of the Job Elements:

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

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: The work requires a considerable amount of walking, standing, stooping, bending, kneeling, climbing, and working in tiring and/or uncomfortable positions. The incumbent may work from ladders and scaffolding. When operating equipment, the worker may be under a great deal of strain from constant reaching, bending, turning, and moving of hands, arms, feet, legs, and by the vibration and jerking of the equipment The incumbent carries, lifts, and handles parts and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds and may occasionally exceed 50 pounds.
Working Conditions: The work is performed inside and outside with exposure to all kinds of weather. The work area may be dirty, wet, dusty, and greasy, with inadequate lighting, heat, or ventilation. Incumbent is subject to cuts, abrasions, bums, broken bones, electrical shock, infections, bites, exposure to inhalation or harmful chemical fumes, irritation of eyes, skin and respiratory tract, and the hazards of operating power tools and equipment. Discomfort is encountered when wearing protective clothing, gloves, or eye goggles.

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.