Maintenance Mechanic

Description:

This position will be located in Facility Support Service, Maintenance & Operations section, of the VA Health Care Center, El Paso, Texas.

Requirements:

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 02/16/2026.

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:

• Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair
• Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading)
• Measuring Instruments
• Technical Practices
• Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
• 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: The incumbent makes repairs and installations from ladders, extension ladders and lifts in areas that require lifting, pushing, pulling or carrying objects of varying weights, sizes and shapes, sometimes in excess of 60 pounds. He/ She is subjected to strain due to lack of movement, such as standing in place, crouching or stooping for extended periods of time. The incumbent also may be required to enter confined spaces after being trained on 'confined space entry'. He/ She may also be subjected to some miscellaneous digging such as in the case of landscaping or grounds maintenance.

The incumbent is subjected to such hazardous conditions as working with power tools, fast moving cutting tools, welding--electric and acetylene, exposure to noxious gases and fumes, infrared and ultraviolet radiation heat, flying sparks, electrical shock, burns, and falls from working on slippery or unstable surfaces. The work is done indoors and outdoors, sometimes in wet, cold, weather, in areas that will vary from clean rooms to areas that are noisy, dirty and poor ventilation where exposed to dust, grease, soiling of clothing and skin. There is a discomfort when wearing protective clothing, gloves, goggles or welding helmets. On occasion, the work may be done outdoors in very warm conditions where sunburn is a possibility. Incumbent must be able to wear a respirator to conduct duties such as; removal of filter media from TB Isolation rooms, confined space entry, atmospheric use, painting applications, etc. In some situations, use of a respirator may warrant that the individual be clean-shaven for proper fit.