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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 110 openings for Maintenance Mechanic,
Maintenance Worker or Maintenance Helper, WG-4749. These jobs are with
Department of Justice, Interior 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 Department of Homeland Security. It shows typical duties for a Maintenance
Mechanic:
“Incumbent will perform building maintenance, construction and repair tasks that
require knowledge and application of a variety of trade practices associated
with such occupations as electrical, plumbing, painting, carpentry, pipefitting,
air-conditioning and refrigeration.”
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 site for current
Maintenance Mechanic, WG-4749
vacancies.
Candidates can also visit the Agencies' websites for further information See
addresses below:
Department of Justice
Veterans Affairs
Department of Interior
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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