Summary The Laundry Equipment Mechanic and Controls Technician position is assigned to one of three Maintenance Units within Facilities Management Service, Engineering Division at the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center. Responsibilities Duties include but not limited too: The primary duties of the laundry equipment mechanic and controls technician include installation, maintenance, repair and replacement of electrical, electronic, microprocessor, mechanical, steam and water systems and equipment. Components maintained include but are not limited to pumps, motors, valves, sensors, controllers, transmitters, conveyors, etc. which comprise larger laundry systems and equipment such as washer-extractors, dryers, ironers, scales, spreader/folder/stacker assemblies, sewing machines, cart washer, auto-valet, mono-rail material handler, and similar. Work shall be performed in a professional manner with little or no disruption of service to the laundry operations and staff. Incumbent independently determines the nature of trouble and extent of necessary repairs for all laundry systems. Troubleshoots and assesses failures, problems and condition of equipment as well as impact of repair work in terms of outage time and extent of disruption. The incumbent must be able to diagnose problems quickly and make repairs, adjustments, and alignments with a minimum of delay, fabricate parts, or adapt nonstandard parts to allow equipment use pending receipt of standard parts from supply. Responsible for adjustment, alignment, calibration, operational checks and tests to ensure equipment or systems function properly prior to returning to service. Adjusts and sets various regulating or safety devices such as meters, gauges, governors and automatic alarms. The incumbent operates, uses test equipment and tools such as alignment scopes, Vernier calipers, micrometers, precision levels, pipe bending and cutting tools, wrenches, hammer drills, voltmeters, ammeters, strobe tachometers, bearing bridge gauges, flow meters, hydrostatic testers and vibration analyzers. Researches laundry industry literature, manufacturer publications and technical manuals and manages equipment preventive maintenance program in accordance with manufacturers' recommendations and regulatory requirements. Interprets and applies technical manual requirements, shop drawings, equipment layout plans, templates, wiring diagrams, blueprints, installation instructions, medical center policy, laundry facility SOPs, and other documents to ensure proper maintenance, adjustment, alignment and operation. The incumbent shall routinely prepare requests for parts, materials, and operating supplies using manufacturer's pamphlets or commercial parts catalogs. Ordering information shall be submitted to the Supervisor for ordering. The request must include all pertinent information such as part numbers, vendor, amounts, etc. Knowledge of techniques for repair, replacement, installation, cleaning, and inspecting a variety of mechanical, electrical, and electronic parts, components, and accessories including microprocessor control circuit boards. Ability to read and interpret parts manuals and manufacturer's repair manuals. Ability to determine when parts should be cleaned, repaired, and reinstalled or replaced with standard parts. Must have the ability to plan, lay-out, and complete the installation, modification, and repair of various systems. Journeyman level understanding of electricity, electronics, steam, water, pneumatics and hydraulic systems. Ability to weld. Ability to repack valves and replace gaskets on both steam and water systems. Incumbent must be skilled in the interpretation of engineering drawings, which combine pneumatic, electrical and electronic schematics, logic diagrams, plumbing drawings, and mechanical drawings in order to troubleshooting malfunctions. Must have a working knowledge of logic circuits, drawings, amplification circuits, and 1/0 circuits related to digital controlled equipment microprocessors. Must have a working knowledge of national and VA fire, electrical, steam fitting, plumbing, and safety codes and standards. Incumbent receives assignments and direction directly from the Maintenance Unit Work Leader and Supervisor but the majority of the assignments are completed independently. In their absence, the incumbent receives assignments and direction from the Assistant Chief or Chief Engineer. The incumbent shall coordinate work, leave, and maintenance schedule accordingly with the work leader and supervisor, or during their absence, the Assistant Chief Engineer. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday 6:45am to 3:30pm Position Description Title/PD#: Laundry Equipment Mechanic/PD074860 Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job 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 Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 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 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 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, 08/28/2026. 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 Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (Includes Blueprint Reading) Ability to Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation, and Repair, etc. Knowledge of Materials Troubleshooting 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: Work in tiring, awkward and uncomfortable positions. Stand for long periods of time. Bend, stoop, crawl under equipment and make repair in tight spaces. Frequently lifts, handles, and carries parts and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds. Occasionally moves moderately heavy items with assistance or with mechanical devices, including objects weighing over 50 pounds. Incumbent must exert moderate to arduous physical effort involving walking, standing, bending, stooping, lifting, working overhead and crawling. Incumbent must be able to climb ladders and scaffolding and operate hydraulic boom lift. Incumbent must be able to lift loads of up to fifty (50) lbs. Frequently, work will be performed in cramped and awkward positions inside the laundry or exterior of the building, including the roof. Work performed is of a precise nature requiring prolonged concentration. Incumbent works at times under conditions of moderate to high stress in a production environment and must be able to interact effectively with laundry staff in a calm, analytical, professional manner. 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.
