General Equipment Mechanic - Phoenix Arizona
- Department of Veterans Affairs
- Phoenix, AZ, USA
- Nov 03, 2026
Job Description
General Equipment Mechanic
Summary
The position is located in the Phoenix Health Care System, Phoenix, AZ as an General Equipment Mechanic. The primary purpose of the position serves as ATS maintenance mechanic/expeditor. Incumbent solves equipment problems, retrieved disabled carts, performed inspections, battery servicing, minor repairs, preventive maintenance, and limited overhauls on electrical/electro-mechanical systems.
Duties
30 Day Hiring Model
The Department of Veterans Affairs is implementing a streamlined 30-Day Hiring Model designed to accelerate hiring while maintaining the highest standards of merit-based selection. This improved process reduces traditional hiring timelines by integrating early coordination, faster assessments, and efficient pre-employment actions. Applicants can expect a more transparent, predictable, and efficient hiring journey from announcement to entry on duty. What Applicants Can Expect
- Expedited Candidate Review Once the announcement closes, Human Resources will quickly review applications, issue certificates of eligible candidates the day after the announcement closes and refer applicants for hiring manager consideration.
- Quick Interviews & References
HR may arrange interviews and will request references within 3-5 days after being referred to the hiring manager.
- Streamlined Pre-Employment Requirements: Following a tentative offer, applicants should be prepared to complete required steps, such as fingerprinting and background check, credentialing, and medical examination within 3 days of the offer.
- Clear and Timely Communication: Applicants will receive clear communication at key milestones, including referral, tentative offer, and onboarding instructions.
After meeting pre-employment requirements, candidates will receive a final job offer and start date. Onboarding tasks may continue after starting, with HR ensuring timely completion for a smooth transition into VA service. If selected, applicants should be prepared to come onboard within 30 days of the announcement closing.
Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Analyzes system problems and responds to correct problems or communicates with the ATS maintenance personnel in order to expedite
problem resolution. - Initiates maintenance log and returns disabled El Carts to the ATS maintenance area for required repairs.
- Accomplishes daily cleaning, charging of batteries and general overall inspection of the El Cart operating controls, indicator and safety features to assure proper operation.
- Minor repairs are completed by the incumbent such as rubber bumpers, wheel lubrication, loose or removed door latches.
- Performs preventive maintenance, repairs and overhauls of the ATS system carts/modules.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 6:00 am - 2:00 pm
Position Description Title/PD#: General Equipment Mechanic/PD04325A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
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
- 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 by the closing date of this announcement, 11/06/2026.
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. 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:
- Ability to Do the Work of the Position without More Than Normal Supervision
- Ability to Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
- Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation, and Repair, etc.
- Knowledge of Materials
- Technical Practices (Theoretical, Precise, Artistic)
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/Working Conditions: The incumbent's daily activities will require lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, kneeling, stooping, reaching over/under equipment, working in cramped areas and in awkward positions. Lifting of tool boxes and equipment weighing 10 to 40 pounds is frequently required, infrequently the position may require lifting objects weighing more than 40 pounds, but not to exceed 70 pounds without supervisor evaluation or adequate assistance.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
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
- DD-214/ Statement of Service
- Disability Letter (Schedule A)
- Disability Letter (VA)
- PCS Orders
- Proof of Marriage Status
- Resume
- Separation Notice (RIF)
- SF-15
- 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.
Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.
- Phone
- 5628268000 X6892
- edgar.uriarte@va.gov
- Address
- Carl T Hayden Veterans' Administration Medical Center
650 East Indian School Road
Phoenix, AZ 85012
US
Geoff Partridge
A Legacy of Service. The Future of Care
In 1946, just months after taking over as Administrator of the Veterans Administration, General Omar Bradley, along with VA’s first medical director, Major General Paul Hawley, M.D. laid the groundwork for today’s Veterans Health Administration by creating the Department of Medicine and Surgery (DM&S). Bradley and Hawley expanded access to care for Veterans during the post-World War II era and instituted a range of changes and initiatives to create what is now known as the ‘third generation’ of Veteran’s health care.
While the Veterans Administration had provided care to some Veterans since the first Soldier’s Home opened after the Civil War in 1866, the post-World War II era saw the need to dramatically re-envision the role of VA in caring for nearly 16 million new Veterans. For the first time, the U.S. military saw more casualties due to combat injuries than diseases and improved battlefield medical care meant more service members returned home with wounds that were not previously survivable.
The lesson learned from the wave of WWI Veterans was likely a significant factor in the minds of Bradley and Hawley in creating an expansive program at the end of WWII. With only one-third the number of Veterans, the ‘Great War’ introduced complexities to care and Veteran benefits that shaped events of 75 years ago. In addition, Bradley and Hawley also had no interest in repeating the mistakes that led to the 1932 bonus marches and other controversies. Within this context, Bradley and Hawley embarked on a radical reorganization of VA health care services, undertaking key initiatives including:
- Establishing new Veterans’ hospitals to accommodate caring for Veterans of all eras and conflicts and converting former military hospitals into Veterans facilities
- Locating VA hospitals alongside major medical schools to promote research and innovation, responding both to the US physician shortage and providing training for Veterans pursuing medical education after the war
- Incorporating mental health services and facilities into the design and operations of new VA hospitals for the first time, re-envisioning the concept of the modern general hospital
- Creating a pilot program known as the Michigan Plan to allow Veterans to be treated by local physicians, expanding access to care where VA care was not available
- Absorbing VA’s research and development capacity, committing to spend more than $1 million each year, beginning with a focus on improving prosthetics for Veterans with limb loss
- Establishing the VA Voluntary Service to augment and complement VA’s professional health care staff
- Establishing the Veterans Canteen Service to provide low-cost goods to Veterans, their families, and caregivers
- Hiring the first women doctors in VA history
Today’s Veterans Health Administration (VHA) continues to meet Veterans’ changing medical, surgical, and quality of life needs. New programs provide treatment for traumatic brain injuries, post-traumatic stress disorder, suicide prevention, women Veterans, and more. VHA operates one of the largest health care systems in the world and provides training for a majority of America’s medical, nursing, and allied health professionals. Roughly 60% of all medical residents obtain a portion of their training at VA hospitals and our medical research programs benefit society at-large.
Though Bradley and Hawley’s tenures were brief (both departed VA in 1947 to return to the Department of Defense) their vision had a lasting impact on the organization that would later become the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Many of Hawley’s key initiatives have evolved into the core, foundational care that VHA provides to Veterans today.