The Sewing Machine Operator position is part of the Environmental Management Service at the VA Northern Indiana Healthcare System for the Marion and Fort Wayne campuses.

Qualifications:

PHYSICAL EFFORT

Must be capable of standing for long periods of time while pinning and basting and sitting for long periods of time with continued and repetitive movement of hands, arms, and fingers. Must be capable of walking for the purpose of collecting and distributing patient clothing, patient effects, lab coats, and other specialty linen items. Incumbent must be able to handle lightweight items, up to 10 pounds continuously and occasionally lifting up to 45 pounds.

WORK CONDITIONS

Works alone in a well-lighted area in the uniform distribution area of the Medical Center. Subject to confined area, and warm temperatures at times. Incumbent may be subject to possible needle punctures and minor thread cuts. Must practice universal precautions in the performance of the duties of the position. Incumbent must accomplish work assignments using appropriate safety and infection control procedures. May be required to operate a government vehicle for deliveries throughout the campus. Often these areas are noisy because numerous machines are operating at one time. 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: Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair Interpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading) Materials Measurement and Layout Technical Practices Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment 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.