Summary ****Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Are Authorized ***** *THIS ANNOUNCEMENT HAS BEEN AMENDED TO EXTEND THE CLOSING DATE* This position is at the VA Medical Center, Butler, PA. They design and fabricate complex dental or dental biocompatible implant appliances. Responsibilities THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-08. At the GS-05, GS-06, and GS-07 grade levels, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-08. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher-level work, and availability of funds. This involves working with Oral Surgeon, Prosthodontist, or General Dentist to develop the design of the appliance, personally fabricating, or overseeing the fabrication of the appliance, and resolving problems with fabrication. Duties include but are not limited to the following: Fabrication of full arch and full mouth fixed oral-maxillofacial prostheses; Fabrication of fixed prostheses, whether tooth or implant borne to maximize success; Fabrication of multi-unit full arch implant bars; Fabrication of implant casts utilizing soft tissue moulage to replicate soft tissue structures; Involved in the fabrication of maxillofacial prostheses including post-surgical obturators and speech appliances; Fabrication of sleep apnea appliances; Fabrication of single CAD-CAM crowns; Design and milling of complex multi-unit CAD-CAM restorations utilizing multiple ceramics including feldspathic and lithium di-silicate restorations; Custom chairside characterization of prosthesis; Fabrication of prosthesis including precision attachments such as intra-coronal attachments for conventional crown and bridge as well as precision attachments within implant bars and implant fixed prosthesis; Perform hands on material research involving the latest laboratory techniques and materials, and equipment; Interact and train both staff dentists and residents in proper laboratory techniques; Solve fit, finish, or esthetic issues for any prosthodontic complication, in consultation with practitioner; Perform routine and support dental laboratory procedures (i.e., pouring primary and final impressions, fabricating custom trays and bite rims, setting teeth for trial dentures/partials, polishing prosthesis, fabricating night guards, performing inventory of all dental laboratory materials, etc.); and Perform all other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Full Time, Monday through Friday, 7:30am to 4:00pm ****Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Are Authorized ****** Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 You may be required to serve a probationary period Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications English Language Proficiency Requirement: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), No person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. You must be proficient in basic written and spoken English to perform the duties of this position. AND To qualify at the GS-5 level, you must meet one of the following: Experience: One (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-4) in the Federal Service that has given you the knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a Dental Laboratory Technician, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. At the GS-5 grade level, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence and will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level. Qualifying specialized experience includes use of dental laboratory material such as impression materials, plasters, stones, hydrocolloids, waxes, metals, acrylics, porcelain, and similar materials; use of laboratory equipment such as hand tools, dental lathes, engines, and hand pieces, furnaces, casting machines, presses, flasks, and related equipment; use of precision instruments such as articulators, surveyors, and microanalyzers; and construction of dental prosthetic appliances. Such assignments require a practical knowledge of oral anatomy and dentition, as well as knowledge of laboratory procedures. OR Education: Successfully completed 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the work of the Dental Laboratory Technician position or successful completion of an approved apprenticeship program consisting of at least 2000 hours a year for 3 years. OR Combination: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed education (in excess of the first 60 semester hours) and specialized experience, as described above, may be used to meet total experience requirements. The education portion must include courses directly related to the work of the Dental Laboratory Technician position. OR Training: Successful completion of training courses in dental laboratory work in the Armed Forces or other Federal agencies that meet the total experience requirements. Such training coursed will be credited for specialized experience on a month-for-month basis. To qualify at the GS-6 level, you must meet one of the following:: Experience: One (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-5) in the Federal Service that has given you the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a Dental Laboratory Technician, and that is in or related to the work of the position to be filled. At the GS-6 grade level, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence and will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level. Qualifying specialized experience includes use of dental laboratory material such as impression materials, plasters, stones, hydrocolloids, waxes, metals, acrylics, porcelain, and similar materials; use of laboratory equipment such as hand tools, dental lathes, engines, and hand pieces, furnaces, casting machines, presses, flasks, and related equipment; use of precision instruments such as articulators, surveyors, and microanalyzers; and construction of dental prosthetic appliances. Such assignments require a practical knowledge of oral anatomy and dentition, as well as knowledge of laboratory procedures. OR Education: Successfully completed at least a 1/2 year of graduate level education with course work that is directly related to the work of the Dental Laboratory Technician position or successful completion of a full 4-year apprenticeship program consisting of at least 2000 hours a year. OR Combination: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience, as described above, may be used to meet total experience requirements. The education portion must include courses directly related to the work of the Dental Laboratory Technician position. To qualify at the GS-7 level, you must meet one of the following: Experience: One (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-6) in the Federal Service that has given you the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a Dental Laboratory Technician, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. At the GS-7 grade level, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence and will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level. Qualifying specialized experience includes use of dental laboratory material such as impression materials, plasters, stones, hydrocolloids, waxes, metals, acrylics, porcelain, and similar materials; use of laboratory equipment such as hand tools, dental lathes, engines, and hand pieces, furnaces, casting machines, presses, flasks, and related equipment; use of precision instruments such as articulators, surveyors, and microanalyzers; and construction of dental prosthetic appliances. Such assignments require a practical knowledge of oral anatomy and dentition, as well as knowledge of laboratory procedures. OR Education: Successfully completed at least one (1) full year of graduate level education with course work or an internship that is directly related to the work of the Dental Laboratory Technician position. OR Combination: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience, as described above, may be used to meet total experience requirements. The education portion must include courses directly related to the work of the Dental Laboratory Technician position. To qualify at the GS-8 level, you must meet one of the following: Experience: One (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-7) in the Federal Service that has given you the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a Dental Laboratory Technician, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Duties performed at the GS-8 grade level are at the full performance level. Qualifying specialized experience includes use of dental laboratory material such as impression materials, plasters, stones, hydrocolloids, waxes, metals, acrylics, porcelain, and similar materials; use of laboratory equipment such as hand tools, dental lathes, engines, and hand pieces, furnaces, casting machines, presses, flasks, and related equipment; use of precision instruments such as articulators, surveyors, and microanalyzers; and construction of dental prosthetic appliances. Such assignments require a thorough knowledge of oral anatomy, tooth morphology and dentition and a thorough knowledge of laboratory procedures. OR Education: Successfully completed at least one and one-half (1 1/2) years of graduate level education with course work or an internship that is directly related to the work of the Dental Laboratory Technician position. OR Combination: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate education and specialized experience, as described above, may be used to meet total experience requirements. The education portion must include courses directly related to the work of the Dental Laboratory Technician position. You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Customer Service (Clerical/Technical) Self-Management Technical Competence Work Practices Education 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. Physical Requirements: Long periods of standing, sitting, and bending are required and a high level of fine motor skills. It is necessary to climb onto counters to replenish plaster bins. The ability to lift plaster boxes weighing 30 pounds from the floor to the counter to the plaster bins is required. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. NOTE: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov). Additional Information Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities (i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities), and/or disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. For more information on how to apply using this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator within the office, contact the facility Human Resources Department at (800) 362-8262. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation and be found well-qualified (have a final rating of 85 or more before any Veterans preference points) for this vacancy. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.