Clarification from the agency

This position is only open to all current, permanent employees of the VA New Jersey Health Care System (VANJHCS).

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Major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• General maintenance support work to accomplish facility level new construction, minor improvements, and renovation work, including equipment maintenance, repair, assembly, disassembly and installation.
• The incumbent will use a variety of trade practices associated with General Mechanical principles at the worker level. This position is subject to other than normal duty hours.
• Assists in maintaining adequate shop stock, tools, materials, on hand to perform daily routine jobs and preventative maintenance for all efforts, assigned to the Building Maintenance Shop (BMS).
• Meets shop level deadlines, priorities, and methods to accomplish tasks, including equipment requirements and
  supplies needed.
• Repairs and maintains historic masonry on buildings, parapets, and boundary fences, chimneys, fireplaces, manholes, and boilers to match existing historic surfaces.
• Works with metal, plastic and other non-wood products concerning measuring, cutting, drilling, fitting,
  troubleshooting and correcting malfunctions.
• Installs windows and doors, mortising doors adjusting as necessary to assure proper fitting.
• Cuts and installs trim material around new work and cased openings such as baseboard, ceiling mold, chair-rails and picture molding.
• Installs acoustical ceilings and floor coverings of all types including carpet.
• Operates and maintains shop power equipment such as a joiner, table saw, bench saw and shaper, surface lathe, drill press, grinder,
  belt sander and router.
• Other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: M-F, 7am-3:30pm
Position Description Title/PD#: Maintenance Mechanic/PD# 37523-A
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
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 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 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, 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, 11/10/2026.

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
• 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: The incumbent may be required to make repairs and installations from ladders, scaffolding, platforms and other hard to reach places. The incumbent maybe required to stand, stoop, bend, kneel, climb, walk, reach, and work in tiring and uncomfortable positions. The incumbent frequently will lift and carry tools, equipment, and parts weight up to 20 lbs and less often to 90 lbs. The incumbent is subject to cuts, bruises, falls and other dangerous conditions. The journeyman must meet the physical requirements in order to perform proficiently the duties assigned to the position. The position requires the ability to discern colors, contrast, and depth. The incumbent must have the ability to work under stressful conditions and every changing goals and demands.

Working Conditions: The incumbent may be required to coordinate work with other shop personnel. The incumbent assists in day-to-day operations and coordination of any emergency situations, which may occur at any time. The incumbent works both inside buildings of various types and outdoors and subject to varying work conditions, which may include tight and confined spaces and heights of 10 feet or more. The incumbent maybe required to work in all types of hazardous weather conditions, rain, sleet, snow, wind including hot and freezing temperatures. The incumbent is exposed to dust, dirt, odors, fumes, loud noise, and will be required to work primarily in a medical center and can be subjected to various types of diseases and infections. The incumbent maybe required to perform duties in a research facility, or off his/her normal station, at remote medical clinics. The incumbent must be able to do the work of the position without harm to himself/herself or others. The incumbent must be aware of safety hazards and follow all established safety procedures. The incumbent is subject to overtime and emergency callbacks, as the needs of the facility demand. The incumbent maybe required to drive a motor vehicle in connection with the performance of his/her 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.