Telecommunications Mechanic

Summary Employee will serve as a Telecommunications Mechanic located within Facility and Engineering Service at the Veterans Healthcare System in Northport, NY, including support for the Community Based Outpatient Clinics. Learn more about this agency Duties The primary purpose of this position is to complete communications infrastructure upgrades and repairs and new digital and analog structures. Duties will include, but may not be limited to the following: Installs, upgrades, repairs and removal of communications equipment, communications transport cabling, wireless LAN mounting, fiber optic cable, splicing and termination of fiber option cable, fiber option patch panels, fiber to the desktop, installation of CAT SE/ CAT 6 cabling systems, installation of backboards, cable trays, raceways, J-Hooks, data and voice jacks, telephone punch down blocks and cross connects and television cable installations. Installs, modifies, troubleshoots, repairs, and maintains voice and/or non-voice communications systems, including intercom, alarm systems, teletype equipment, terminal and communications equipment, including modems, multiplexers, fiber optic end equipment. Surveys the installation area to determine work methods, tools, and materials required to complete the tasks. Reads blueprints to determine lay out and routes for cable destination before it is punched down. Cable is installed, repaired and modified through masonry, sheetrock, above ceilings up to 15 feet, in crawl spaces and manholes. Uses equipment common to the trade, includes impact drivers, hand drills, core drills, sheetrock saws, power tools, splicers, levelers, fluke network test equipment to test reflections in fiber optic lines, multimeters, voltage detectors, ground resistant teste4rs, cable tracers and locaters and miscellaneous electrical tools. Performs preventive maintenance on various types and voltages of switches, receptacles, lighting, magnetic starters, relays and motors. Includes: remove and replace light fixtures, modify fixtures to LEDs, run wiring for LED and other light fixtures, splicing, soldering, safe off of defective wiring changing out fluorescent light bulbs and perform ballast bypass. Works with AC and DC current and low voltage wires. Data cable installers apply a thorough knowledge of copper core and fiber optic transmission principles; a thorough knowledge of different electronic and solid-state voice and data systems and their capabilities, functions of their major circuits, and the associated cables and wiring used to interconnect the systems; knowledge of CAT cable, fiber optics, communications transport cabling, RG6U cabling and low voltage wires. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:00am - 3:30pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Requirements 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 Pre-employment physical required Subject to background/security investigation 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. 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 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. Qualifications SCREEN-OUT: Requires the ability to do the work of a Telecommunications Mechanic without more than normal supervision. Qualifying experience includes installing, upgrading, repairing and removal of communications equipment, communications transport cabling, wireless LAN mounting, fiber optic cable, splicing and termination of fiber option cable, fiber option patch panels, fiber to the desktop, installation of CAT SE/ CAT 6 cabling systems, installation of backboards, cable trays, raceways, J-Hooks, data and voice jacks, telephone punch down blocks and cross connects and television cable installations; reading blueprints and using common tools and equipment of the trade. Data cable installers must possess a thorough knowledge of copper core and fiber optic transmission principles; of different electronic and solid-state voice and data systems and their capabilities, functions of their major circuits, and the associated cables and wiring used to interconnect the systems; of CAT cable, fiber optics, communications transport cabling, RG6U cabling and low voltage wires. (Note: Resumes must clearly detail responses provided to the online questionnaire and the responsibilities of the position as detailed in the duties section of this announcement. We will not make assumptions regarding experience.) PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS: The work requires frequent bending, pulling cables, working in awkward positions, walking and standing for long periods of time, and climbing ladders. In addition, the work requires lifting and carrying items weighing up to 50 lbs. without assistance. Work is performed inside and outside under all types of weather. Inside work areas can range from well lit, heated, and climatically controlled to poorly illuminated work areas such as attics, crawl spaces, and basements. Cable installation and maintenance extends to exterior locations. Workers are exposed to dust, dirt and falls from ladders while installing cable. Workers are exposed to bruises and minor cuts from handling cable and equipment and from using hand tools. Working environments may include trenches, pits, and confined spaces as required such as manholes. Safety goggles, hard hats, and safety boots will be required when work is being completed. 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, the applicant, 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: Electric DrawingsElectrical EquipmentTechnical PracticesTechnical Practices (Electrical Electronic)Troubleshooting (Electrical)Use and Maintain Hand Tools (Electrical Work)Without more than normal supervision IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. 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. 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; religious; 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. 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. Expand Hide  additional information 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 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. Review our benefits 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.