Located at Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL aligned under the Engineering Service's Environment of Care Section. The primary function of the Maintenance Mechanic is to accomplish improvements to the physical plant, building structures, exterior sites and/or utility systems through a variety of construction projects involving all types of construction trades organized into work groups, or crews, of varying make-up based on the specific needs of each assigned construction project.

Duties

The incumbent serves as the Maintenance Mechanic and report directly to the environment of Care Section (EOC) Maintenance Mechanic Supervisor and performs the duties of the position with significant independence. Work and/or projects are assigned in terms of broad, general objectives with relative priority for completion of work. For administrative accountability, such as attendance, leave, vacation schedule, grievances and discipline, his/her immediate supervisor shall be the Maintenance Mechanic Supervisor. Painting- The painting/coating work in this position is accomplished by any of the accepted methods of the trade by applying coating materials and techniques that achieve the required effect. The painter determines the methods, techniques, devices, and materials that are best suited to the surface finish required. He/she prepares surfaces by methods such as smoothing, filling, shaping, and leveling with metal and synthetic resins, and mixing and applying precoating agents. The painter applies coating materials with any of the accepted trade devices including those designed to give special effects. The incumbent has primary responsibility for planning the materials, tools, and techniques needed and completing the work with little or no advice. The supervisor checks work only to see that completed work meets accepted trade standards. Plastering- Plasterer work at this grade involves the mixing, application, and finishing of plaster surfaces in the construction and repair of interior walls and ceilings and stucco exterior walls. The incumbent performs new plastering on all types of backgrounds such as metal, wood, gypsum wallboard, wire & wood lath and masonry surfaces, as well as repair and patching of plaster and stucco surfaces. He/she works from oral instructions, blueprints, work orders, and rough sketches. He/she plans and lays out work to be accomplished, select the proper tools and material, and accomplish the job in accordance with accepted trade practices. Carpentry- The primary carpentry duties and responsibilities associated with this position require skilled techniques to construct, install, and repair, wood and metal construction, wood substitute structures, and items requiring close tolerance fit and structural soundness. The incumbent constructs and repairs a wide variety of structural items such as building frames, rafters, concrete forms, walls, staircases, door and window frames, interior and exterior trim, and miscellaneous items such as workbenches, counter tops, bookcases, equipment cabinets, computer consoles, and items requiring limited decorative trim and molding. Air Conditioning/Refrigeration - Maintains, troubleshoots, repairs, installs, balances, and replaces commercial heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, refrigeration systems, ventilation systems, dehumidification, cleaning filtering and recirculating systems, and control systems. Replaces filters, cleans ducts, cleans condensers, and assorted preventive maintenance and other duties typical to the HVAC trade. The incumbent must have EPA Universal Certification. Steam/Plumbing - Installs, maintains, and repairs steam distribution system pipe, fittings, pumps. Pressure reducing stations, valves and fittings. Installs, maintains, and repairs steam heating systems and components such as radiators, air valves, safety valves, steam traps, vacuum pumps, condensate pumps, heat exchangers, steam coils and system piping components, etc. Installs, repairs and maintains various steam utilizing equipment (dishwashers, laundry equipment, dietetics cooking and dishwashing equipment, hot water generators, bed pan sterilizers, humidifiers, etc.) Installs, maintains and repairs new and existing utility systems (sewerage, storm drain, water, heating, on and gas distribution systems, sprinkler and fire extinguishing systems, residential gas/oil fired heating systems, medical air-oxygen and vacuum systems) and building service equipment (assorted plumbing fixtures, water closets, tubs, showers, sinks, commercial grade dietetics equipment and general building service/support equipment). Works from building plans, blueprints and sketches to layout the routing, placement, slant slope, fall and proper operation of systems and equipment. Electrical - Troubleshoots repair and replaces switches, fuses, outlets, motors, light fixtures, building service equipment, streetlights, operational controls, and wiring systems (up to 480-volt single and three-phase systems). Assists in installation/renovation projects and equipment installation of replacement projects. The incumbent completes other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 2:00pm-10:30pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Maintenance Mechanic (IHC)/PD05059A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/25/2024. 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:Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading)MaterialsUse and Maintain Tools and EquipmentWork as Member of Team 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: Painting in this position requires preparing and coating surfaces from ladders, scaffolds, aerial lifts, and platforms, where the surfaces to be coated are in cramped and hard-to-reach places. This requires standing, stooping, bending, kneeling, climbing, and working in tiring and uncomfortable positions. In addition, the incumbent must be able to work above shoulder height up to 75% of the time. Painters frequently lift, carry, and set up materials and equipment that weigh up to 5 kilograms (10 pounds). Occasionally, they may handle materials and equipment that weigh 18 kilograms (40 pounds) and over. Plastering in this position requires continual standing, walking, climbing, bending, stooping, and occasional heavy lifting of up to 45 kilograms (100 pounds) while carrying mortar, scaffolds, ladders, and other materials. Carpentry at this level requires working in wood shops and at job sites. When working in a shop, carpenters may stand for extended periods while operating machines such as bench planers, saws, and drill presses. The work requires considerable bending, kneeling, and stooping. When at a job site, strenuous physical exertion is sometimes required when handling heavy and bulky materials such as sheets of plywood, framing members, and other building and construction materials. He/she uses manual or portable power tools for extended periods in uncomfortable positions. On-site work typically requires bending, stooping, crawling, and climbing on ladders, scaffolding, aerial lifts, and rooftops. Working Conditions: All employees are required to use all the necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to ensure work is completed safely and in compliance with all OSHA and VA laws, regulations, and requirements. PPE includes but is not limited to: Tyvek coveralls, hard hats, gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection, safety rated footwear, dust masks or respirators, fall restraints, etc. The maintenance mechanic must be able to work confidently and frequently from ladders, scaffolds, and aerial lifts in all types of weather. The incumbent will frequently work in spaces under construction with no climate control, poor ventilation, and temperature extremes both hot & cold, inside, and out in different types of weather. He/she will also work in mechanical rooms, crawl spaces and attics where awkward positions are common and strenuous physical exertion may be required when handling heavy/bulky materials such as sheets of plywood, and other building/construction materials.

Education

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Jesse Brown Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 820 South Damen Avenue Chicago, IL 60612 US
• Name: Cursten Sturghill
• Phone: 312-569-8850
• Email: [email protected]