Locksmith

About the role

Incumbent is assigned to the Durham VA Medical Center System Facility Maintenance Unit. Perform various duties incidental to the maintenance, repair, and installation of lock hardware. Assignments include the performance of visual examinations and operational tests to determine the need for, and the performance of, repair work on a level of difficulty and responsibility within the locksmith trade.

Responsibilities

• Installs, modifies, and reworks locking devices; maintains, repairs, or replaces locks on doors, windows, narcotic boxes, medicine and file cabinets, lockers, laundry chutes, electric panels, padlocks, burglar alarms, special locks used in detention areas, x‑ray developing areas, and other areas requiring temporary or indefinite security.
• Repairs or replaces broken or worn lock parts, often by machining or hand‑crafting obsolete parts.
• Adds or removes key combinations to meet the needs of hospital services while keeping all keying within the approved hospital system.
• Establishes new combinations.
• Works closely with management to determine the most suitable locks for use throughout the medical center.
• Opens jammed locks when mechanisms malfunction or have been forcibly damaged or tampered with, using methods that cause the least damage to government property.
• Disassembles locks while closely inspecting them for tool marks, abrasions, and misaligned parts that may indicate an attempted break‑in.
• Ensures all lock work is precision‑done for smooth operation.
• Services and repairs safe and vault doors, hinges, and locking arms; calibrates dials, changes combinations, services tumbler nests, etc., and tests to confirm proper operation.
• Cuts all keys for hospital personnel, codes them for identification, and services the key duplicating machine to keep it in good operating condition.
• Maintains electronic prox card locks for medication rooms, computer rooms, pharmacy, warehouse, and other secure areas.

Requirements

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement (10/01/2026).

• Experience: A specific length of training and experience is required, and a Certified Registered Locksmith (CRL) certification is preferred. Applicants must show evidence of training or experience of sufficient scope and quality to demonstrate the 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). Applicants who meet the minimal acceptable qualification requirement are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and eliminated. Potential eligibles are then rated against the remaining Job Elements: Equipment Assembly – Installation – Repair, Measuring Instruments, Technical Practices, and Without more than normal supervision.
• Experience includes paid and unpaid work, including volunteer work through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can translate directly to paid employment. All qualifying experience, including volunteer experience, will be credited.
• Note: A full year of work is considered 35‑40 hours per week. Part‑time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants must clearly indicate the nature of their duties and responsibilities and the number of hours per week spent in each position.
• Physical requirements: Work assignments involve standing, climbing, bending, and occasional work in cramped and awkward positions. Work frequently requires stooping, stretching, bending, working off ladders, and kneeling for long periods. The incumbent must have necessary finger dexterity to effect repairs and work with hand tools, and good color discrimination to build complex cores for locksmith work.
• Working conditions: Assignments may be inside or outside, on elevated structures, and in cramped areas. The incumbent may occasionally work in contaminated areas where exposure to infectious disease is possible (e.g., patient rooms, exam, surgical, and procedure rooms). Discomfort may arise from use of face masks and personal protective equipment. Other hazards include possible electrical shock/burn, injuries to skin, eyes, and lungs (from refrigerants, chemicals, and solvents), cuts, scratches, and bruises. Most work is performed inside well‑lighted, heated, or air‑conditioned areas, but work might also be performed in dimly lit, unheated, and un‑air‑conditioned areas.

Schedule

Work Schedule: Monday‑Friday, 7:30 am – 4 pm. Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Not Available.