Summary This position is located in the Facilities Management Services at VA Connecticut Healthcare System - West Haven VA Medical Center in West Haven, CT. The Locksmith is responsible for the overall physical security and locking systems installed at the West Haven and Newington campuses. Responsibilities The primary purpose of this position (Locksmith) is the installation, and maintenance of various mechanical and electronic security hardware. Major duties and responsibilities include but not limited to: Maintaining, repairing, inspecting, and installing mechanical locking devices throughout West Haven and Newington Medical Centers including doors, cabinets, lockers, safes, vaults, and controlled storage areas Developing, maintaining, and documenting master key systems including keying, re keying, pinning, and restricted and high security key control Responding to emergency lock repairs and lockouts by picking, bypassing, or neutralizing locks without causing damage Installing, programming, maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing electronic locks and keying systems using manufacturer hardware, software, and electronic testing equipment Installing, adjusting, maintaining, and repairing door closers and operators to ensure proper function, safety, and compliance with door requirements Servicing and changing combinations on safes and vaults and maintaining security for narcotic and medication storage Fabricating, modifying, and repairing lock components and substitute parts using hand tools and powered shop equipment Conducting lock inspections, surveys, and security assessments while staying current on high security locking technologies Maintaining vehicle key records and databases for VA fleet vehicles and originating replacement keys when codes are unavailable Collaborating with VA Police and investigators to analyze security breaches and prepare reports Providing technical assistance, security hardware, and keying coordination to in house staff and contractors ensuring new construction integrates into the master key system Performing other related duties as assigned with completed work subject to foreman review Work Schedule: Monday to Friday; 07:00 a.m. to 03:30 p.m. Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Requirements 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 Pre-employment physical required Subject to background/security investigation 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 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 PHYSICAL EFFORT: Most of the work performed requires considerable standing, stooping, walking, kneeling, etc. When repairing and repining locks, eye-to-hand concentration is required and there is possibility of eye-strain because it is close work. Considerable physical effort is expended when handling doors, moving and installing hardware etc. WORK CONDITIONS: Work is performed inside and outside. While working outside, incumbent is subject to all kinds of weather. Inside work may be in heated or unheated buildings. Subject to cuts, burns, bruises, etc., while working with power equipment, installing hardware, cutting keys, etc. Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Federal Wage System Qualifications. For this position, the job element method is used to match what you, the applicant, can do against what the work calls for. Your knowledge, skills and abilities will be compared to the knowledge, skills and abilities (called job elements) needed for success. Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element (WG-2 and higher only; screen-outs are not applicable to WG-1). Applicants who appear to meet the screen out element are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated from consideration. The potential eligibles are rated against the remainder of the job elements. While a specific length of training and experience is not required, your responses to the questionnaire must be supported by detailed descriptions of your experience on your resume. You will be rated on the following Job Elements as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading) Measuring Instruments Technical Practices Troubleshooting Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment Without more than normal supervision IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. 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. 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; religious; 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. Education Additional Information Note: Per "Executive Order 14251: Exclusions from Federal Labor-Management Relations Programs", this position is no longer eligible for bargaining unit participation. 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. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. 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. 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.
