Maintenance Mechanic
Department of Veterans Affairs
Summary
This position serves as a journeyman level Maintenance Mechanic within Engineering Service at WJB Dorn VA Medical Center, Columbia, South Carolina under the supervision of the Supervisory Maintenance Mechanic. The maintenance mechanic performs a variety of tasks involved in the upkeep of buildings, grounds and related structures, fixtures, and utilities. DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.205) for this occupation.
Duties
- Receives general supervision from the Supervisory Maintenance Mechanic as to work schedules, operating policies and procedures Maintains appropriate level of computer literacy to use the stations' engineering software package.
- Makes complete and difficult determinations of materials and methods to be employed.
- Determines the welding techniques to use and select the proper materials such as the right size and type of welding electrodes or rods.
- Analyzes complex pipefitting problems and arrive at effective solutions; can project and visualize pipefitting planning and installation problems.
- Determines the extent of repairs, modifications, and installations needed and exercises judgment in selecting the methods, techniques, and procedures to use in completing assignments.
- Enforces the concepts of the National Electrical Code, particularly as it applies to medical facilities.
- Removes and replacing electrical fixtures and controls; making repairs; rearranging old or installing new outlets, relays, switches, and light fixtures; testing circuits; measuring, cutting, and bending wire and conduit to specified lengths and angles.
- Work Schedule: Monday – Friday; 7:00am to 3:30pm Position Description Title/PD#: Maintenance Mechanic/PD01825A Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
Requirements
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.
How You Will Be Evaluated
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview.
Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment. The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate’s abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
For more information on the “Who may apply” eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document. Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
Required Documents
- To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: Resume The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position.
- Please make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).
- You will not be contacted for additional information.
- Cover Letter Resume Separation Notice (RIF) SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Time in Grade and/or Eligibility): Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee An SF-50 showing your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials.
- If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement.
- In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade Award 50's do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted for the purpose of verifying time-in-grade.
- Examples of appropriate SF-50's include: Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.
About this role
The Maintenance Mechanic position with the Department of Veterans Affairs is based in Columbia, South Carolina. This position serves as a journeyman level Maintenance Mechanic within Engineering Service at WJB Dorn VA Medical Center, Columbia, South Carolina under the supervision of the Supervisory Maintenance Mechanic. The role pays $31.07 to $36.24 per hour.
Day to day, the work involves receives general supervision from the Supervisory Maintenance Mechanic as to work schedules, operating policies and procedures Maintains appropriate level of computer literacy to use the stations' engineering software package. The full list of duties, conditions, and required documents appears in the official announcement linked on this page.
Who should apply
This role calls for United States citizenship, the relevant certifications named in the posting, and a valid driver's license. Be prepared for physical or medical requirements as part of the hiring process. Match your federal resume directly to the announcement's wording so a reviewer can confirm each requirement in writing. For this Maintenance Mechanic position with the Department of Veterans Affairs in Columbia, South Carolina, confirm you meet each requirement before applying.
How competitive it is
The posted pay of $31.07 to $36.24 per hour places this in a competitive but attainable range for qualified applicants. Based in Columbia, South Carolina, it competes within that local market, which can mean lighter competition than major metropolitan postings. The announcement closes on June 25, 2026, and federal postings can close early once enough applications arrive, so applying promptly is wise.
This overview is general guidance from Job Army to help you understand the role. Always read the official announcement for exact duties, qualifications, and requirements before applying.