Electrician

Summary

This position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Health Administration at the VA Central Iowa Health Care System, within the Engineering Department in Des Moines, Iowa. The primary purpose of the WG-2805-10 Electrician position is to use journeyman‑level knowledge to install, modify, repair, troubleshoot, and perform preventive maintenance to maintain a good electrical system within the VA Central Iowa Health Care System.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Experience requirements are not specified by length, but applicants must prove sufficient scope and quality of training or experience. Evidence such as detailed descriptions of relevant work on your resume is required. Exemplary journeyman‑level knowledge includes interpreting and applying the National Electrical Code, local codes, VA design guides;

reading and determining proper PPE per OSHA regulations; selecting materials and planning work and techniques for each assignment independently. 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, usually question 1 in the online questionnaire. Those who meet the minimal acceptable qualifications are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and eliminated. The potential eligibles are then rated against the remainder of the Job Elements:
Electric Drawings;
Electrical Equipment Technical Practices (Electrical Electronic);
Troubleshooting (Electrical);
Use and Maintain Hand Tools (Electrical Work).

Volunteer experience, including time served through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, Ameri Corps), professional, philanthropic, community, or student organizations, can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. All qualifying experience, including volunteer work, is credited. A full year of work is considered 35–40 hours per week. Part‑time experience is credited on the basis of actual time spent in appropriate activities.

Applicants seeking credit for such experience must clearly indicate the nature of duties, responsibilities, and hours per week in each position.

The incumbent works from ladders, scaffolding, and hydraulic platforms. They often work in cramped, hot, dirty, and hard‑to‑reach locations, requiring prolonged crouching, standing, stooping, bending, kneeling, climbing, and working in exhausting and uncomfortable positions. The incumbent frequently lifts or carries tools, equipment, ladders, scaffolding, parts, and supplies weighing up to 50 pounds and sometimes over 50 pounds.

Electricians are exposed to a variety of weather conditions—both winter and summer—by making repairs and installations on exterior work sites. During emergency repairs, extreme weather conditions may be present. Internal and external work sites can be hot, dirty, dusty, greasy, poorly lit, cramped, poorly ventilated, and may contain asbestos. The incumbent will wear appropriate personal protective equipment as necessary to accomplish tasks safely.

• Use journeyman‑level knowledge to interpret and apply the National Electrical Code, local codes, building plans, blueprints, wiring diagrams, engineering drawings, and operation/maintenance manuals; use trade formulas to calculate common properties.
• Install, modify, repair, troubleshoot, and perform preventive maintenance and testing of complex electrical systems.
• Diagnose faults in complex electrical systems using appropriate test equipment and techniques.
• Maintain accurate records of work performed, materials used, and system configurations.
• Adhere to all VA and OSHA safety protocols, including lock‑tagout procedures and use of PPE.
• Participate in safety inspections and training.
• Work schedule:
  
  Monday–Friday, 7:00 am to 3:30 pm.
• Position Description Title/PD# :
  Electrician / PD30476A.
• Ensure contributions align with the VA Midwest Health Care Network’s Whole Health Statement, which advocates a holistic system of care, empowering Veterans to take charge of their health and well‑being.
• Operate within a model with three core elements—creating personalized health plans, fostering healing relationships and environments, and maintaining community connections—to support Veterans’ health and well‑being.

All responsibilities are performed in accordance with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement, which honors America’s Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well‑being.