Summary This position is in the Operations Department of the VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System, Harlingen, TX. The incumbent is responsible for routine and emergency maintenance and repair as well as assisting other trades with emergency work orders and repairs. Responsibilities Major duties include: Performance of visual examination, operational test and verbal requests from the Supervisor. Performs hurricane readiness in preparation for tropical storms; mandatory overtime and call backs can be expected. Troubleshoot, repair and/or replace plumbing issues to include domestic water and sanitary sewer. Install or replace equipment to include water heaters, disposal units, eyewash stations, faucets and other plumbing fixtures. Interpret and apply plans and blueprints and use shop mathematics to cut, bend, and thread pipe and tile, and caulk and seal such things as elbows, union joints, tile pipe, facets and drains. Routinely work with tools and equipment such as tapes, rules, hacksaws, hand and power pipe threaders and cutters. Perform routine and non-routine painting maintenance on all building surfaces. Paint using methods such as brushing, rolling and spraying which conform to VA Master Specifications. Performs professional gardening work concerned with the maintenance and improvement of grounds. Maintains accurate, up-to-date records on work performed. Responsible for repair of commercial irrigation systems. Close out work orders. Responsible for the movement of furniture from one location to another. And other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Position Description Title/PD#: Maintenance Worker/PD01050A Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 lbs. and over); heavy carrying (45 lbs. and over); straight pulling (5 hours); pulling hand over hand (5 hours); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking (4 hours); standing (4 hours); crawling (1 hour); kneeling (1 hour); repeated bending (3 hours); climbing (legs only, 1 hour); both legs required; operation of a crane, truck, tractor, or motor vehicle; both eyes required; depth perception; ability to distinguish basic colors and shadows; hearing (aid permitted).The incumbent is subject to working with power tools, fast moving cutting tools, exposure to noxious gases and fumes, infrared and ultraviolet radiation heat, flying sparks, electrical shock, burns, falls from working on slippery or unstable surfaces. The work is done indoors and outdoors. The incumbent is exposed to extremes of heat and cold, dust, dirt, noise, grease, fumes, and moisture, as well as outside the normal indoor environment of the facility. He/she may occasionally be exposed to disease, the possibility of scrapes, burns, infections, cuts and bruises. The employee is required to wear protective clothing to minimize risks. Emergency situations will require employee to work in environments with very little lighting. Call back and emergency overtime are regular requirements for this position. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. 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. You will be rated on the following competencies: Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading) Materials Measuring Instruments Technical Practices Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment 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. Preferred Certifications: Air Conditioning & Refrigeration: Contractor A and B License, endorsement code E, R, or C. Air Conditioning & Refrigeration: Certified Technicians through Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation endorsement code E, R, or C. Air Conditioning and Refrigeration: Universal Refrigerant License. NCCER: Pipefitting level 2 or above. NCCER: Plumbing level 2 or above. Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners: Journeyman Plumber or above. Medical Gas Certification: ASSE 6010 Installers & ASSE 6040 Maintenance Personnel. Education Additional Information 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. Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website which can be found at https://www.opm.gov/. 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. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. 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.