Remote Test Kitchen Jobs in Houston, TX (NOW HIRING)

Summary
This is an independent Journeymen Maintenance Mechanic in the Facilities Management Service Line (FMSL), Maintenance & Operations (M&O) Section, Mechanical & Air Conditioning Shop. Must be be skilled in electrical, mechanical, plumbing and air conditioning to provide preventive maintenance and repair services.
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Duties
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• Knowledgeable of the provisions of the National Electrical Code, and sufficiently knowledgeable of the entire code to satisfactorily research special requirements or applications.
• Possess the ability to read and interpret blueprints, wiring diagrams, schematics, operation and maintenance manuals, and be knowledgeable in shop math, standard formulas and shop practices. He must be knowledgeable in the use of electrical test instruments in order to trace and locate the cause of simple equipment and control device malfunctions and then complete repairs or adjustments.
• Have the ability to select proper wire gauges, insulation, protective devices and switching for a variety of equipment, lighting and miscellaneous electrical loads. The selectee must be skilled in the use of all common electrical hand and power tools and testing equipment as required.
• Installs, modifies, repairs, troubleshoots, loads, and tests new and existing electrical cables, circuits, systems, fixtures, controls, and equipment.
• Assembles installs, repairs or replaces equipment including motors, remote controllers, starters, operating rooms, catherization laboratories, x-ray equipment, sterilizers, data centers, nuclear medicine, radiotherapy, laboratory equipment, protection devices, warning and alarm devices, power and lighting panels, and switches in installation buildings.
• Cuts, bends, threads and installs both rigid and flexible conduit in walls ceilings, floors, attics, and beams of buildings; pulls in wiring and connects to power and control supply; tests for proper connection, continuity, and grounding according to engineering blueprints and national electrical code.
• Design and modify control circuits for automatic operation of industrial refrigeration units and water system of several million gallons per day capacity, special circuits and control apparatus for control of process and automation equipment
• Be knowledgeable of how high and low pressure steam and condensate systems (steam heating, radiators, circulating pumps, etc.) are installed and be able to operate and understand the purpose of relief valves, check valves, pressure reducing valves, shut off valves, expansion joints and similar devices and how these items control, flow, pressure, circulation and expansion within these systems.
• Be skilled in aligning pipes, valves and fittings to reassemble portions of systems requiring repairs or modifications; and skilled in the placement of braces and supports to control movement, expansion or contraction and vibration of piping systems. Must be able to interpret blueprints, sketches, manufacturers' specifications and technical manuals and be knowledgeable in shop math, standard formulas and shop practices. Incumbent must be knowledgeable of how water distribution and re-circulating systems, fire sprinkler, natural gas, hydraulic and other mechanical systems are installed and operate.
• Skilled in the use of all hand and power tools of the plumbing and pipe fitting trades. Incumbent is skilled in plumbing an able to clear main sewer stoppages on industrial plumbing systems.
• Has basic knowledge of mechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic mechanisms and their principals of operation as they relate to a variety of kitchen, medical, grounds maintenance, over-the-road, materials handling and other miscellaneous mobile equipment. Has knowledge to install, repair, overhaul and maintain these types of equipment.
• Must possess sufficient knowledge of electrical/electronics principals to differentiate these types of problems from those mechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic failures.
• Must be skilled in the installation, repair, modification, and preventive maintenance of most heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration equipment. Incumbent will also operate chiller plant on occasion and will act as expediter of all maintenance calls made to the Energy Control Center. This factor includes following local and national safety rules and guidelines, efficient use of all specialized tools in the HVAC trade such as, measuring equipment (refrigeration gauges, electrical meters, air measuring devices), hand tools (torches, vacuum pumps, refrigerant recovery devices), and any other specialized tool unique to the HVAC trade

Work Schedule: Monday- Friday; 7:30am- 4:00pm (subject to change based on facility needs)
Position Description Title/PD#: Maintenance Mechanic/PD03789A
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Requirements
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Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Services Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Physical Requirements: Works from ladders, scaffolding and hydraulic platforms. Often works in portions of the utility systems requiring attention that are cramped, dirty and hard to reach locations. Work involves prolonged crouching and standing and frequent stooping, bending, kneeling, climbing and working in exhausting and uncomfortable positions. Frequently lifts or carries tools, equipment, ladders, scaffolding, parts and supplies up to 50 pounds.
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. The potential eligibles are then rated against the remainder of the Job Elements:

• Technical Practices
• Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair
• Interpret instructions, specifications (includes blueprint reading)
• Materials
• Measuring Instruments

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.
Education
This job does not have an education qualification requirement.
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.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.