Locksmith

About the role

This position is located in the Facilities Management Services at the Bedford VA Healthcare System in Bedford, Massachusetts. It is permanent and full-time at 40 hours per week.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement (10/02/2026).

• Possess a current, valid state-issued driver's license.
• Show evidence of training or experience of sufficient scope and quality to perform the work; detailed descriptions must be on the resume.
• Will be rated per OPM Federal Wage System Qualification Standards.
• Screen‑out element: applicants must meet the minimal acceptable qualification (usually question 1) to proceed; otherwise rated ineligible.
• Preferred experience: ability to lift up to 50 pounds, physically able to walk, bend, stoop, stand, work in close spaces for long periods while performing locksmithing duties; may require awkward conditions for extended periods.
• Volunteer, unpaid, or paid experience counts; part‑time credited proportionally.

Requirements

Physical requirements and working conditions:

• Work assignments require standing, stooping, bending, kneeling for prolonged periods and working in cramped/awkward positions.
• Required to lift items up to approximately 50 pounds.
• Work normally performed in well‑lighted, heated, ventilated area; occasionally outside in inclement weather or drafty, poorly lighted areas.
• Exposed to possibility of cuts, bruises, scrapes, and serious burns.
• Operates dangerous equipment such as key cutting machine, electric grinder, soldering irons requiring shields and proper safety equipment.

Responsibilities

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Manufactures and duplicates keys and the keying and combination of locking mechanisms.
• Establishes master keying systems and neutralizes lockouts.
• Determines precise locations and angles for drilling without harming contents or causing irrevocable damage to locking mechanisms or containers.
• Designs and installs locks and integrated locking systems (e.g., electronic panic button interfaces).
• Uses a variety of tools and skills to work with total accuracy to preclude destruction of expensive security systems or safes/vaults.
• Disassembles, repairs, cleans, reassembles, and reinstalls a large variety of moderate to extremely complex locking devices.
• Reads, interprets, and applies technical manuals, manufacturer's diagrams/specifications and prepares diagrams to identify dimensions or special parts requirements.
• Provides technical assistance and guidance to remote customer locations and to lower‑graded/less experienced locksmithing personnel.
• Troubleshoots to determine malfunctioning components and repairs by reworking existing parts based on knowledge of internal structure plus operating characteristics of a wide range of models and their interrelationship with related components.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Schedule

Work Schedule: Monday‑Friday, 6:30 am to 3:00 pm. Compressed/Flexible schedule: not authorized.