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Carpenters Needed atMany Different AgenciesWork may entail constructing,
Maintenance Mechanics
Needed In Building Trades
Interior and Commerce employ many thousands of mechanics
with multiple skills in the building trades. Work is steady with
good benefits. Duties are similar to a “mill right.”
The current vacancy list includes 246 openings for Maintenance
Mechanic, Maintenance Worker or Maintenance Helper, WG-4749.
These jobs are with Department of Interior, Health and Human
Services and Veterans Affairs. The openings are occurring
throughout the U.S.
The Federal government has made an effort in the last several
years to hire mechanics with multiple skills to fill vacancies on
its building maintenance staffs as opposed to hiring specialists
in each of the building trades. These workers are called
Maintenance Mechanics, Workers or Helpers. The work is similar to
a mill right in that the worker is expected to fix or repair
whatever goes wrong.
Job Requirements
Maintenance Mechanics maintain and repair exterior
structures, buildings, grounds, and related fixtures and
utilities. Their work is related to trades such as carpentry,
masonry, plumbing, electrical, air conditioning, cement work,
painting and others.
Typical Maintenance Mechanic responsibilities include the
performance of visual examinations and operational tests to
determine the need for repair of carpentry, plumbing, painting,
roofing, gardening, cement work and asphalt work.
Higher level jobs (WG-8 and above) may involve electrical work,
air conditioning, sheet metal, heating equipment and pest
control.
Multiple Skills
At any level, applicants with multiple skills have a
distinct advantage. Applicants should cite their skills in as
many of the building trades as possible. A large number of
Maintenance Mechanic jobs are filled by part-time and
intermittent workers. Taking these positions is often an
important step in getting a permanent, full-time position.
The following is drawn from the Vacancy Announcement from a
current opening with the Interior Department. It shows typical
duties for a Maintenance Mechanic:
“Maintains the landscaped areas around the health center and
quarters rental units. Maintains all equipment used for the
purpose of grounds keeping around the health center and quarters.
Paints the interior and exterior surfaces on existing buildings
and equipment using standard coating methods, such as brushing,
rolling, and spraying.”
Jobs for Veterans
Many of the Maintenance Mechanic jobs are reserved for
Veterans Preference applicants.
Veterans can be hired directly by any VA medical center or office
by applying to the facility’s personnel office under the
Veterans Readjustment Appointment (VRA) Act or by using their
eligibility as a Veterans Preference applicant. Eligibility
requirements for Veterans Preference and VRA applicants are
outlined on page 4 of FJD. Often no veterans are available.
Non-veterans are then considered.
How to Apply
Applicants for Maintenance Mechanic positions stand the
best chance of getting hired if they pursue either part-time or
temporary positions. Agencies are more likely to offer first-time
applicants part-time or temporary jobs instead of full-time
positions. Part-time and temporary vacancies are also more
frequently announced than full-time openings. Once selected,
candidates should establish contact with their supervisors in an
effort to secure future full-time jobs.
Candidates should scan this website for current
Maintenance Mechanic, WG-4749
vacancies.
Candidates can also visit the Agencies' websites for further
information See addresses below:
Department of Interior
Veterans Affairs
Health & Human Services
An acquaintance who works at a VA, Commerce or VA installations
and can keep an ear open for job openings can be another good
source for finding out about job openings. •
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