Seasonal Institutional Locksmith Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Summary
The incumbent serves as a Locksmith for the Seattle VA Medical Center, Facilities Maintenance Shops in Seattle, WA.
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Duties
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• Coordinates with the supervisor and police to discuss special locking requirements and determine suitable locks to be utilized in solving security problems.
• Improvises trade techniques to adapt locking mechanisms for uses to which they were not specifically designed, to hamper or prevent the use of standard neutralization techniques. Determines whether locking devices have been tampered with and provides professional documentation to the Police Service as required.
• Makes independent judgments in determining work sequence, selection and use of trade tools, and techniques applied. May be required to provide technical assistance and guidance to other staff at any Puget Sound Healthcare remote location.
• Performs visual and operational checks to locate trouble sources and determine the best methods of correcting problems. Removes locks, disassembles, and detects worn or damaged parts. i.e. broken springs, jammed pins, bent discs, broken tail pieces, rust and corrosion. Lubricates and cleans parts, straightens bent parts, replaces broken parts, reassembles, tests, and reinstalls devices.
• Keys and rekeys locks by using standard key coding practices to conform to station policy and VA criteria. Maintains blank keys of all known locking devices, cuts keys required for issue and replacement as required; does not maintain "extra" keys, precut keys, or discarded turned-in keys. Carefully monitors the key accountability system. Maintains master keying plans for the facility.
• Install's, troubleshoots, maintains and repairs locks in doors, desks. office furniture, cabinets, safes and other units as required by approved work orders only. Makes necessary alterations to locking mechanisms and units to assure correct fit. Places escutcheon and face plates on doors to change size of existing holes, measures precisely and cuts off excess spindles, changes position of spline key to reverse lock case direction. Responsible for the installation, programming, maintenance of all type of combination locks, both standard and electronic. Install's panic hardware, closers, hinges and other miscellaneous door and cabinet hardware.
• Picks or neutralizes looks as required in emergency situation 'When keys are unavailable, removes broken keys from key ways, corrects doors sag by tightening hinges to bring locking components into proper alignment, and makes minor adjustments to door closures/coordinators to ensure proper locking alignment.
• Maintains materials and full set of tools and equipment Requisitions and stocks all supplies required In performance of duty.
• Works with computer to ensure that necessary Information Is on file pertaining 1o key issues to Include area designation and to program key control systems .(Proximity alarms and Physical Access Control Systems (PACS) and Site Master).
• Develops and maintains a special key hardware system for use In special areas such as mental health, meeting all special requirements for these areas. Works closely with the Safety Department on ensuring al equipment is in compliance with the latest VA requirements for these environments.
• Has a working knowledge of all types of electronic security locking devices for basic maintenance and repair. Incumbent has the ability to program look related software, transfer data to off-line electronic locks using PDA or a computer, generates electronic reports, lock & key audits, and maintains electronic records.
• Must have a good working knowledge required of architectural trades for the construction, maintenance and repair of a commercial or institutional building. Must have knowledge of ceramic tile. vinyl wall covering, plaster walls and ceilings, vinyl floor tile, various metals and suspended lay-in ceilings.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm
Position Description Title/PD#: Locksmith/PD40749A
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
Requirements
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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Pre-employment physical required
• 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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial 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 or trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement, 09/24/2026.
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. The screen-out element is the ability to perform as a Locksmith without more than normal supervision. Duties may include but are not limited to: Thorough knowledge of the full range of locking devices, hinges, door assemblies, door closers, and door operators and their parts in order to select substitute parts which would be suitable for use in repairing and fabricating devices to meet special security objectives; Experiment with various types of materials such as metals, alloys, and plastics when developing parts and component; Able to select appropriate materials considering such factors as needed strength and hardness, machining characteristics, environmental factors, and the extent to which the materials used could complicate or hamper the use of standard neutralization techniques; Skilled in servicing a wide variety of commonly used locks, and the functions they perform involve repairing, replacing or fabricating parts covered by manufacturer parts catalogs and specifications.
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
• Troubleshooting
• 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: Installs, maintains, troubleshoots, and repairs equipment or components from ladders, platforms, and scaffolding, and in cramped or hard-to-reach areas. This can require walking long distances, prolonged standing, stooping, kneeling, bending, and climbing in uncomfortable or tiring positions. Frequently lifts, carries, and sets up materials and equipment weighing up to 10 pounds. He/she may occasionally handle materials and equipment weighing more than 50 lbs.
Working Conditions: Working conditions vary by environment. It may be indoors or outside and is generally dirty, dusty, greasy, and may involve inclement weather. May be assigned to work in areas where certain potentially harmful physical and/or chemical agents are present, such as in research labs. To ensure safety and health, personnel protection programs are maintained. These programs may include engineering controls, 1raining, work procedures, use of personal protective equipment, and medical surveillance. As part of the medical surveillance program, employees may be required to undergo medical examinations to assess their medical qualification for duty.
Education
This job does not have an education qualification requirement.
Additional information
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. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. 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.
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.
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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.