Summary The Sewing Machine Operator is located in the Laundry Operations section within Environmental Management service line of the Phoenix VA Health Care System (PVAHCS). In this position, you will inspect and repair linens and uniforms, perform minor alterations, manage uniform inventory and dispensing systems, maintain records, and ensure proper handling, salvage, and issuance of all textile items. Responsibilities Inspects worn, damaged, or stained linen and uniform items to determine if they can be economically repaired and made serviceable. Such mending is accomplished using a hot patch machine, standard sewing machine, high-speed sewing machine, overedge machine, button machine, or snap attaching tool. Quantity records of all mending work must be kept including date and time of each repair. Incumbent is responsible for operations, stocking, and restocking of the Autovalet Dispensing System. Issuing uniform dispensing cards and maintaining accurate records 011 VA Form 10-1148, Employee Uniform and Property Issue Cards. Maintains record of uniforms in stock. Collects items he/she determines to be beyond economical repair, salvages such items, keeps quantity records of all salvage by @type of piece and date, and determines if salvaged items can be utilized for rags. Accomplishes minor alterations to Government uniforms such as lengthening or shortening dresses, coats, etc., to enhance serviceability. Maintains inventory of Sewing Room and thermo- patch supplies and requests supervisor to order additional stock items when on-hand levels of supplies are low. Issues and maintains receipt signatures for uniforms issued to employees of all services. Must be familiar and comply with regulatory provisions of VHA Handbook on Employee Uniforms. Maintains records of issue, receipt, and salvage of uniforms. Conducts semi-annual inventory of all issue-@type uniforms and conducts semiannual uniform verification check to identify employee receiving both uniform issue and allowance. Exchanges clean uniforms for soiled uniforms on a one-for-one basis. Inspects soiled uniforms from damage and fair wear or tear. Reports any potential uniform abuse, including the name of possible abusers, to her/her immediate supervisor. Work Schedule: 40 hours a week, Monday - Friday, 5:00 am - 1:30 pm Position Description Title/PD#: Sewing Machine Operator/PD13531A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized 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 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, 03/16/2026. 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: Without more than normal supervision 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: Light physical effort is required to perform recurring duties. Is required to continually sit, stand, walk, bend, lift, push, and carry in order to satisfactorily accomplish his/her duties. The incumbent works in a well-lighted, air-conditioned area and is subject to eyestrain and from close-up work. Education Additional Information 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.
