Summary This Maintenance Helper position is located within the Environmental Management Service at the Bedford VA Healthcare System, located in Bedford, Massachusetts. It is full-time at 40 hours per week. Responsibilities The incumbent of this position serves as a maintenance helper (Minor Building Maintenance Type tasks) throughout areas of the hospital for Environmental Management Service and performs sanitation duties when required. Duties include, but are not limited to: Hangs pictures, signs and similar decorations; Installs and makes minor repairs to casters on furniture; Performs maintenance and minor repairs to office furniture; Installs standard curtain rods and traverse rods; Removes and installs pull shades; Performs first echelon preventive maintenance on EMS equipment (such as replacing belts, bolts, screws, etc.); Oils and greases items such as chair rollers and wheel bearings; Replaces light lens and tubes; Makes minor repairs to wall surfaces and does touch-up painting to walls and door frames; Frees-up stopped-up plumbing fixtures to include commodes, face bowls, water fountains and urinals; and Other duties as assigned. Assists with snow removal (such as operating vehicles for snow plowing, using snow blowers and shoveling). Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:00am to 3:30pm Position Description Title/PD#: Maintenance Helper/PD518-00460-A Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required Notifications: Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees. Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and @type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held. This position is not a Bargaining Unit position. This position is covered by a special rate. Interchange Agreements with Other Merit System: Employees who occupy medical or medical-related positions and were appointed under 38 U.S.C. 4701(1) or (3) [formerly 38 U.S.C. 4104 (1) and (3)] must be serving in a full-time position without time limit and have served continuously for at least one year in this other merit system to be eligible to convert to the Title 5 System. Some exceptions to this rule may apply if you have previously acquired tenure under a Title 5 appointment. 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 Selectee must have a valid unrestricted driving license. 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, 05/18/2026. 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: Follow Directions Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading) Physical Strength and Agility Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment Without more than normal supervision Work Practices 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. Working Conditions: Works indoors in a Medical Center setting. Since much of the work is done in patient care areas, the incumbent must be ever alert to the safety and wellbeing of patients, staff, and fellow employees. Indoor work is generally in areas of adequate heat, light and ventilation. Duties may also involve work in tight, cramped, wet, dry and dusty areas. Incumbent may be exposed to skin irritations from strong chemical solutions. Outdoor work in varied temperatures. Incumbent may be subject to minor cuts, scrapes and bruises. Physical Requirements/Working Conditions: Incumbent must be able to do considerable amount of walking, standing, stooping, bending and crawling. Must be able to work in congested areas, in tight, cramped or awkward positions. Incumbent may be required to carry and set-up ladders and indoor scaffolding. May be required to lift or move heavy equipment or furniture that may weigh more than 50 pounds. Working conditions may include work from ladders and indoor scaffolds. Incumbent will be exposed to environmental cleaning chemicals, which may be irritating. May be required to wear protective clothing and wear respirator in performance of duties. Education This job does not have an education qualification requirement. Additional Information 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.
