Summary The Journeyman Maintenance Mechanic works from written, electronic, and verbal communication as assigned. May perform assignments, which include simultaneous and continuous work, without detailed instructions. Uses standard prescribed procedures, methods, tools, and equipment common to the trade to complete assignments. Responsibilities The VA Palo Alto Healthcare System (VAPAHCS) is part of VA Sierra Pacific Network (VISN 21), which includes facilities in California, Nevada and Hawaii. VAPAHCS is a teaching hospital, providing a full range of patient care services, with state-of-the-art technology as well as education and research, Comprehensive health care is provided through primary, tertiary and long-term care in areas of medicine, surgery, psychiatry, physical medicine and rehabilitation, neurology, oncology, dentistry, geriatrics and extended care. The Research and Development Service excels as a leader in the Department of Veterans Affairs. The non-profit corporation, the Palo Alto Veterans Institute for Research (PAVIR), has contributed to making VAPAHCS a leader in research. To learn more visit: http://www.paloalto.va.gov/about/ Major duties and responsibilities include, but not limited to: Tests, inspects, maintains, overhauls, modifies, repairs, aligns, calibrates, installs and is considered a subject matter expert for a wide variety of equipment and individual devices or systems of widely varying complexity. The major areas are electrical, mechanical, dietetic equipment of all @types, laundry equipment, dishwashing equipment and major appliances of all @types. Repairs, re-builds and installs a large variety of equipment to include, but not limited to, pumps, glass washers, mechanical scales, dietetic equipment, ranges (both gas and electric) grills, electric lowerators, blenders, knife sharpeners, folders, carts, conveyors, meat slicers, vegetable cutters, air compressors, washing machines, dyers, dishwashers, dish machines, vacuum cleaners, floor machines, buffers, re-therm equipment, microwave ovens, standard ovens, commercial ovens, imprinting machines, emergency lighting, wall fans, hot carts steam tables, steam kettles, food conveyors, food slicers, can openers, toasters, mixers, food service carts and shelving, and electrical safety checks per our policy. Performs preventive maintenance on all equipment as assigned. This will include all affected equipment, such as whirlpool baths, surgery lights, cart washers, clothes washers and dryers, emergency lighting systems, exit signs, etc. Also included will be preventive maintenance of other equipment under Engineering Service jurisdiction. Items may include, but are not limited to, filter checks and changes of all air handling systems in all buildings, all drive belts on blowers, compressors, pumps, exhaust fans, etc., operational checks of equipment and/or systems, and greasing, oiling or adjusting equipment as needed. The incumbent of this position is assigned in the Plumbing and Machine Shop. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Position Description Title/PD#: Maintenance Mechanic/PD02961A Physical Requirements: Work requires good coordination and good physical condition. Required to walk, stand, stoop, bend, kneel, climb, crawl, and work in uncomfortable positions and to pull, push, reach over the shoulder, and lift supplies and/or equipment weighing up to 100 pounds. Must have rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, good hearing, depth perception, and the ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors. Glasses are permitted. Working Conditions: Work is both outside and inside in areas of medium to excessive heat, cold, humidity, dampness, or chilling areas that have intermittent noise, dust, fumes, grease, dirt, oils, with exposure to electrical wires and energy. Areas may be slippery and/or uneven surfaces, in equipment rooms, tunnels, crawl spaces, penthouse, overhead catwalks, scaffolding, and/or in tight areas, such as manholes and electrical equipment closets. Requirements Conditions of Employment U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation 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 Services Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 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. Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. 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. 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: Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading) Materials Measuring Instruments Technical Practices Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment Without more than normal supervision SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR: Must have and maintain a current California state driver's license issued by the state of California DMV. 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. Education Additional Information Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website which can be found at https://www.opm.gov/. Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
