Mason

Summary

The position is assigned to the Mason shop – a department of the Carpentry shop – within the Maintenance Section of Facilities Engineering Service in the Sioux Falls VA Healthcare System (SFVAHCS). The work of Facilities Engineering involves the efficient operation and timely completion of equipment and facility maintenance repairs, preventive maintenance, inspections, station–level projects, and development and project management of contracted construction projects and service contracts.

The work is active and frequently requires heavy physical effort. The incumbent must have the physical strength, safe approach and stamina to cope with heavy lifting and strenuous work, such as mixing mortars, setting concrete and gypsum blocks, or carrying up to 90 pounds of materials, tools or equipment. Standing, kneeling and stooping for long periods of time are routine.

While performing the duties of this job, the Mason is regularly exposed to fumes, airborne particles and outdoor weather conditions. Employees are often near moving mechanical parts, work in high or precarious places, handle toxic or caustic chemicals, and experience vibration of equipment. Incumbents work indoors and outdoors in a variety of weather conditions, including high and extremely low temperatures. Some outdoor projects may require work near moving vehicles and exposure to the possibility of falls while working on scaffolds or ladders.

Workers are subject to high noise levels from operating power tools or other hazards such as airborne dust, cuts, bruises and irritation of eyes and skin from exposure to chemicals. The use of protective gear such as ear plugs, safety glasses, respirators and gloves is required. Employees safely drive in all types of traffic and/or weather conditions and are exposed to possible accidents and injury.

Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Federal Wage System Qualifications. For this position, the job element method is used to match what you can do against what the work calls for. Your knowledge, skills and abilities will be compared to the knowledge, skills and abilities (called job elements) needed for success. Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen‑out element (WG‑2 and higher only;

screen‑outs are not applicable to WG‑1). Applicants who appear to meet the screen‑out element are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated from consideration. The potential eligibles are rated against the remainder of the job elements.

While a specific length of training and experience is not required, your responses to the questionnaire must be supported by detailed descriptions of your experience on your resume. You will be rated on the following job elements as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position:
Dexterity and Safety – Interpret Instructions – Specifications (includes blueprint reading), Materials Measurement and Layout, Technical Practices, Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment.

• NOTE:
  
  This is a full‑time – TEMPORARY (not‑to‑exceed 6 months) position.
• This appointment may be renewed for additional service in accordance with Agency needs.
• Temporary positions do not offer health or life insurance benefits and may be terminated at any time before the expiration date.
• The appointment to a temporary position does not confer eligibility for promotion or reassignment to other positions or the ability to be non‑competitively converted to permanent employment.
• NOTE:
  
  Intermittent employment is defined as non‑full‑time employment in which employees serve under an excepted or competitive service appointment without a regularly scheduled tour of duty.
• A position with an intermittent work schedule is sporadic and unpredictable so that a tour of duty cannot be regularly scheduled in advance.
• Major duties and responsibilities include:
  Brickwork and associated tuck‑pointing.
• Bricklaying as required to repair existing bricks and blocks, including cutting and splitting of bricks and blocks.
• Interior expansion joint replacement – creating or replacing expansion joints and edges using forms, edging tools,…