Locksmith

About the role

The Locksmith reports to the Chief of Facilities Management at the James Mountain Inhofe VAMC. The single focus of this position is repair - overhauling - modifying - testing - and installing a variety of locking devices typically found on doors - desks - compartments - mobile equipment - safes - vaults - and other secured locations.

Responsibilities

• Repairs, modifies, and installs a variety of locking devices intended to secure doors, desks, compartments, mobile equipment, safes, vaults, and other secured locations
• Manufactures duplicates keys and keys (placing/changing) of combinations for locking mechanisms
• Experience with the construction, operation, and functional characteristics of locking devices
• Manufactures replacement parts, changes combinations, establishes and masters key systems including pinning the cores and building the lock set assembly
• Files, drills, chisels, and grinds materials to facilitate a variety of installation and repair processes
• Disassembles, repairs, cleans, reassembles and reinstalls a large variety of moderate to extremely complex locking devices to include door modification or lock sets
• Utilizes all tools required of the position including lock picking tools, files, drills, chisels, and grinders
• Uses measuring devices like a key depth gauge and a measuring tape in order to enact installation, repairs and maintenance
• Skilled in usage of volt meter to establish correct parameters for electronic security systems installation, repairs, and maintenance
• Provides expert advice to management on the most appropriate locks and systems for specific security requirements and be able to review blueprints
• Attends seminars, trainings and carefully reviews trade journals and manuals to maintain expert knowledge of locks and associated hardware
• Reads, interprets, applies technical manuals, manufacturers diagrams/specifications and be able to prepare diagrams to identify dimensions or special part requirements
• Uses a variety of tools and skill to work with total accuracy to preclude the destruction of expensive security items
• Fabricates tools and parts from a variety of materials using welding equipment, hand tools and power tools such as grinders, lathes, milling machines, and drill presses
• Troubleshoots malfunctioning components and required repairs; determines precise locations and angles for drilling without harming the contents or causing permanent damage to the mechanism or container
• Examines all locks worked on for evidence of attempted neutralization and takes corrective action

Requirements

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement (09/23/2026).

• Experience: A specific length of training and experience is not required, but applicants must show evidence of training or experience of sufficient scope and quality to demonstrate ability to perform the work of this position. Evidence must be supported by detailed descriptions on the resume.
• Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Federal Wage System Qualification Standards.
• Screen‑out element: Qualifications are first evaluated against the prescribed screen‑out element (usually question 1 in the online questionnaire). Those who meet the minimal acceptable qualification are considered for further rating; others are rated ineligible and eliminated.
• 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 Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (Includes Blueprint Reading)
  • Ability to Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
  • Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation, and Repair, etc.
  • Technical Practices (Theoretical, Precise, Artistic)