Federal

Maintenance Helper

Architect of the Capitol Β· Legislative Branch
πŸ“ Washington, District of Columbia WG-05 $25 - $29/hr
Posted: Mar 10, 2026 Deadline: Mar 27, 2026 (Closed days left)

About This Position

The position is located in the Architect of the Capitol, Office of the Chief Engineer, Construction Division, Construction Execution Branch. The selectee serves as a Maintenance Helper performing developmental tasks, routine shop maintenance and helping journey-level tradesmen with routine tasks. Multiple Vacancies Available (Day or Night).

Qualifications

You must meet all eligibility and qualifications requirements by the closing date of the job announcement. Screen-Out: Ability to perform the work of the position without more than normal supervision which includes working independently, showing job responsibility and exercising initiative. WG-5: Has helper level knowledge and skill of trade practices and maintenance of trade tools and equipment.

You must meet the selective placement factor required for this position which includes: -Appropriate Level of Supervision

Major Duties

TOUR OF DUTY: Monday - Thursday Day (4:00 AM - 2:30 PM) Night (7:00 PM - 5:30 AM) Hours may change due to Operational Needs of Management. * This position requires a Valid DC or State Driver's License and a Valid Forklift License* Consideration will be given to applicants that have experience in at least 2 of the following occupational series: sheet metal, electrician, insulating, masonry, wood crafting, carpentry, pipefitting, cement finishing, materials handling, forklift operating, painting and plastering occupational trades. This experience must be clearly reflected in the applicant's work history/resume. Duties: Trades Assistance Acts as a Maintenance Helper, assisting higher level skilled trade's workers in general maintenance functions.

Performs duties in at least two or more of the following occupational trades: sheet metal, electrician, insulating, masonry, wood crafting, carpentry, pipefitting, cement finishing, materials handling, forklift operating, painting and plastering. Receives detailed day-to-day directions from a journey level mechanic or supervisor. Carries out repetitive, routine tasks independently.

Learns less difficult trade tasks. Responsible to learning and performing progressively more difficult tasks under gradually less supervision. Work is reviewed for compliance with instructions. Assists in gathering and laying out tools and materials for major preventive maintenance jobs.

Selects the appropriate tools and equipment for minor jobs. Cleans tools, machines and equipment and keeps work areas clean and orderly. Assists journey level Mechanics by performing assigned duties of the trade and working with the journey level workers as instructed, developing trade skills and gaining knowledge of the trade and learning to read blueprints and equipment schematics.

Operates a forklift truck with a load capacity of less than 10,000 pounds and a height capacity of 168 inches. Controls stock movement, being careful to avoid overloading or improper stacking or movement of supplies and materials. Loads and transports scaffolds, equipment and materials and transports to work sites.

Erects scaffolding at worksites. Assists in handling materials. Operates hand trucks, pallet jacks, dollies, forklifts and other material handling equipment to deliver stock to storage areas, warehouse facilities or job sites.

Utilizes a thorough knowledge of and compliance with applicable AOC and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety rules and regulations to ensure that work progresses in a safe manner. Receives training, either on the job or through classroom training, to ensure that required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is utilized.

Conditions of Employment

Requirements: To be employed by the Architect of the Capitol in a paid position, an individual must meet one of the categories below: A citizen of the United States; A person who is lawfully admitted for permanent residence and is seeking citizenship as outlined in 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)(B); A person who is admitted as a refugee under 8 U.S.C. 1157 or is granted asylum under 8 U.S.C. 1158 and has filed a declaration of intention to become a lawful permanent resident and then a citizen when eligible; A person who owes allegiance to the United States (nationals of American Samoa, Swains Island, and the Northern Mariana Islands, and nationals who meet other requirements described in 8 U.S.C. 1408); or A person who is currently an officer or employee of the Government of the United States.

How You Will Be Evaluated

Review your resume and responses carefully.

Your eligibility for consideration and qualifications for the position will be determined based upon a review of your detailed resume and your responses to job specific self-assessment questions.

Your resume will be evaluated based on evidence of your ability to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) for this position, and how well your background and experience relates to the self-assessment questions in the job announcement. The self-assessment questions relate to the following knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies: -Appropriate Level of Supervision - Work Practices - Dexterity and Safety - Ability to read, write and interpret oral and written instructions. - Tools and Equipment Your responses to the self assessment questions serve as the basis for your initial rating.

You will receive a numerical score based on your responses to these questions. Next, your responses will be evaluated by a Human Resources Specialist and/or a subject matter expert against the information provided in your resume and optional cover letter.

Your resume must support your answers to the self assessment questions. Falsifying your background, education, and/or experience is cause for not hiring you or disqualification for further consideration. Please note that a complete application is required for consideration. (Please review the β€œRequired Documents” section of this job announcement to see what must be included in a complete application).

You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Additional Information

Welcome Veterans. The Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) gives veterans' preference rights in the legislative branch to certain veterans as applied by the Congressional Accountability Act. Veterans' preference is applied on this vacancy announcement.

If you are a veteran and have been separated under honorable conditions, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility; SF-15, if applicable; and Department of Veterans Affairs documentation of disability, if applicable. For more information, please visit OPM vet guide If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System. If you are exempt from registration under Selective Service Law, you must provide appropriate proof of exemption.

Please visit the Selective Service System website for more information. DRUG TESTING: The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) is a Drug Free Workplace. As part of the AOC's suitability assessment, a candidate tentatively selected for a position iwho is not currenty an AOC employee is required to submit to screening for illegal drug use.

Satisfactory completion of a drug test is a condition of employment with the Agency. A candidate must test negative prior to being eligible for appointment into a position. We will schedule, provide, and cover the cost for the drug test.

The selectee(s) under the vacancy announcement for this position is subject to a criminal record check by the U.S. Capitol Police and satisfactory adjudication to be eligible for employment at the Architect of the Capitol. The Architect of the Capitol is an E-VERIFY Participant.

E-VERIFY is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment authorization in the United States. If you are selected for this position, the documentation that you present for purposes of completing the DHS Form I-9 will be verified through the DHS "E-VERIFY" electronic system.

For more information on E-Verify, please visit http://www.dhs.gov/files/programs/gc_1185221678150.shtm The Architect of the Capitol is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information and/or disability. This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency.

The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis. Moving expenses are not authorized. Relocation expenses are not authorized. Probationary Period- A newly appointed selectee(s) is subject to the completion of a one-year trial/probationary period, regardless of whether or not a trial/probationary period has been completed previously with the Architect of the Capitol or another Federal agency.

This vacancy announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies in any of the jurisdictions of the Architect of the Capitol. All application materials become the property of the Architect of the Capitol.

How to Apply

You MUST apply online. FORMS RECEIVED BY FAX, EMAIL OR U.S. POSTAL SERVICE DELIVERY WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. If you are a new user to the USAJobs Site and have never registered for an account; you will first need to create an account profile with your basic contact information and a resume to begin applying.

You must be a registered USAJobs user AND you must be signed-in to your account in order to apply for this position. For help setting up an account or for general help using USAJobs, go to USAJobs Help Page. NEED HELP? If you experience any difficulties with the application site, help is available! If you have problems completing your on-line application, contact the Monster Hiring Management Help Desk at 1-866-656-6831 or by e-mail at [email protected]. The help desk is available Monday - Friday 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

You may call and leave a voice mail message at all other times. All required supporting documents will be collected electronically via the USAJobs β€œSaved Documents” feature. If you are unable to apply on-line, you may visit our Employment Center for technical assistance in entering your application. The Employment Center is located at 441 Second & D Streets S.W., Washington, D.C., Room H2-178, and is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

You may call (202) 226-7000 for directions.

Required Documents

The Architect of the Capitol's job application process is designed to ensure that we only ask you for the information that is absolutely needed to evaluate your qualifications and eligibility for the position. To apply for this position, you only need to submit online the following: a) your resume and 2) answer the online vacancy assessment questionnaire. The online questionnaire contains eligibility and screening questions and other relevant supplemental information.

No additional documentation or attachment is required at the time of application. We ask that you prepare and submit a resume that best describes fully your background experience, skills, abilities, education, training and other relevant credentials. The resume should include dates of employment.

Nothing further is required until it is requested by the staff of the Human Capital Management Division. If additional documentation is required for a position, you will be asked to provide it during the selection process or upon selection. At that point, we may ask you to submit documentation to support statements made in your resume.

For example, we may ask you to provide documents such as college transcripts, copy of diploma or proof of Federal employment status. If the position requires a license or certification, we will ask candidate(s) to provide proof at the time of selection. If you are claiming veterans' preference, we may ask you to submit proof of Veterans preference (DD-214, and, if claiming 10-point preference, the SF-15 plus proof required by that form).

If you fail to provide the required documents, we will withdraw a tentative job offer made and/or remove you from further consideration.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the salary for the Maintenance Helper position at Architect of the Capitol?
The salary range for this position is $25 - $29/hr. This is a WG-05 position on the General Schedule pay scale. Actual pay may vary based on locality adjustments.
Where is the Maintenance Helper job located?
This position is located in Washington, District of Columbia. This is an on-site position.
What qualifications do I need?
You must meet all eligibility and qualifications requirements by the closing date of the job announcement. Screen-Out: Ability to perform the work of the position without more than normal supervision which includes working independently, showing job responsibility and exercising initiative. WG-5: Has helper level knowledge and skill of trade pra...
How do I apply for this position?
Apply through USAJobs.gov by clicking the 'Apply on USAJobs' button. You'll need a USAJobs account, a federal-style resume, and supporting documents. The deadline is Mar 27, 2026.
Is a security clearance required?
No security clearance is required for this position.
What does WG-05 mean?
WG-05 refers to the General Schedule grade level. Higher grades require more experience and offer higher pay. Visit our GS Pay Scale page for full salary tables by grade and locality.
What benefits do federal employees receive?
Federal employees receive comprehensive benefits including health insurance (FEHB), retirement through FERS, Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with government matching, paid annual and sick leave, paid parental leave, life insurance, and student loan repayment programs.