Highway Maintenance Worker II: Medium Equipment Operator (61033374, 61036115, 61036325)
State of South Carolina
Posted: April 14, 2026 (0 days ago)
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Veterans Health Administration
Department of Veterans Affairs
Location
Columbia, South Carolina
Salary
$21.76 - $25.38
per hour
Type
Full-Time
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This entry-level job as a Maintenance Mechanic Helper at a Veterans Hospital in Columbia, South Carolina, involves assisting with basic hands-on tasks like simple carpentry, plumbing, painting, and equipment setup under supervision.
It's ideal for someone with some practical experience in manual labor or trades who is physically fit and eager to learn on the job in a supportive government environment.
No formal education is required, but you need to show through your background that you can handle helper-level work safely and effectively.
The incumbent will serve as a Maintenance Mechanic Helper under the general supervision of the Supervisory Maintenance Mechanic in the General Support Shop, with second level direction provided by the Maintenance Control Manager.
Serving as a Maintenance Mechanic Helper in the Engineering, WJBD Veterans Hospital, the incumbent will assist in a variety of helper tasks primarily involving basic carpentry, plumbing, painting, equipment inventory and operations, installations, and laborer.
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 04/23/2026.
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: Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading) Materials Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment Without more than normal supervision 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: Incumbent will often be required to make repairs that will demand great physical efforts to lift, pull, and push.
Work involves very heavy physical effort, frequent lifting, running power mowers on grades or pushing heavy wheelbarrow loads of cement.
They will be subjected to working from ladders, climbing, crawling, bending, standing, crouching, and stooping for extended periods of time.
Incumbent must use; move, and control heavy equipment, carry and set up ladders and scaffolding, and work from ladders and scaffold.
Frequently, the incumbent will lift objects weighing over 40 pounds, and occasionally, with assistance, lift objects over 50 pounds.
Working Conditions: The incumbent work is performed inside or outside under various conditions of weather, temperature, and humidity. Incumbent may occasionally be exposed to extreme heat or cold.
Sometimes works in noisy, damp, or dirty areas.
Frequently works from ladders, stagings, or elevated platforms and/or in buildings and structures, ships, submarines or craft undergoing alteration or repair.
Employee is subject to possible cuts, abrasions, and burns and may occasionally be exposed to the possibility of bruises or broken bones.
Employee is required to follow occupational and safety procedures to eliminate or minimize these conditions and may be required to wear respiratory devices or protective clothing and equipment which may be restrictive and uncomfortable.
Major Duties:
Duties include but are not limited to: Assist journeyman in the full range of carpentry involving the maintenance and repair of the facility.
Operates and uses a variety of tools by setting-up, adjusting, and maintaining tools to meet required specifications.
Plans and lays out work in accordance with drawings, sketches, blueprints and own knowledge of construction or needed repairs.
Assist in work involving structures, partitions panels, cabinets, bookcases, work benches and other items that use wood or wood substitutes.
Follows detailed instructions and independently accomplish routine tasks.
Assist with hole repair, surface preparation and refinishing of all interior and exterior surfaces of buildings, structures, equipment and furnishings, to include gypsum wall board, plaster and wood.
Install various types of dispensers (ie soap, towel, glove boxes etc.) and other wall hung equipment and furnishings.
Assist in installing signs, warning devices on walls, posts and other surfaces and structures throughout the facility.
Assist in assigning and reviewing inventory on container labels for incoming equipment, ensuring that the information provided matches incoming equipment identifiers on delivery reports.
Receives, stores and handles supplies, materials and equipment as related to the M&O section of Engineering service line.
Applies coating materials to a variety of surfaces or applies and finishes plaster surfaces in the construction and repair of interior walls and ceilings and stucco exterior walls.
Measure and cut materials to the required lengths and dimensions. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:00am - 3:30pm. Schedule subject to change to meet the needs of the Agency.
Position Description Title/PD#: Maintenance Mechanic/PD01401A Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
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