Mason
What you'd do
These are term positions (more than 1 year) with an initial appointment expecting to last at least 13 months but may be extended up to a total of four years, or more based on any changes to regulations governing the number of years term appointments may last, without further competition at management's discretion.
Major duties
These WG-3603-10 Mason positions are essential for preservation. The main-level guardhouse at Fort San Cristóbal is an important historic structure of the Spanish colonial defense system. The project will preserve about 1,600 square feet of historic masonry, plaster, and roof surfaces, replacing incompatible Portland cement with lime-based mortar and stabilizing deteriorated sandstone and brick. El Morro, the most visited area of San Juan National Historic Site, faces safety risks due to vegetation growing on exterior walls. Removing this vegetation will protect visitors and maintain the appearance of this internationally recognized landmark. Carries out skilled masonry work on a wide range of structures such as walls, foundations, floors, parapets, walkways, chimneys, vaults, manholes, and fireplaces using brick, block, stone, concrete, plaster, and related materials. Assesses and repairs historic masonry features, performing tasks such as repointing, tuckpointing, stone repair, mortar matching, and reconstruction of deteriorated or damaged components on historic buildings, features, and landscapes. Interprets drawings, sketches, scope documents, or work orders; determines required materials; selects appropriate tools; and sequences work to ensure structural integrity and compliance with preservation standards. Uses hand and power tools to cut, shape, fit, and set brick, block, and stone; mixes and applies mortar, grout, concrete, and other bonding materials; and ensures proper alignment, finish, and appearance of masonry features. Conducts periodic operational and visual inspections of buildings and structures to identify masonry deterioration, structural issues, moisture problems, and required maintenance or repair tasks. Term positions do not convey permanent status in the Federal service. The agency retains sole discretion and without further competition, the right to extend the duration of this appointment after selection and/or appointment, based on changes to the term appointment regulation(s). No extension to a term appointment shall be granted to a selectee/employee to an amount of time that exceeds the maximum number of years authorized under any present or current regulation, unless such regulation expressly allows such action. Salary Range Information: First time hires to the federal government typically start at the beginning salary in the range for their respective grade level. WG-10: $24.89 (step 1) to $29.04 (step 5) per hour - Puerto Rico (RUS) Wage Area
What you need to qualify
Requirements Continued... As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 2-year trial period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated. This trial period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated. Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications: All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-08/06/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. To qualify for this position, you must have sufficient knowledge and ability in the following job-related factors: Ability To Do the Work of the Position Without More Than Normal Supervision (SCREEN OUT) Technical Practices (theoretical, precise, artistic) Ability To Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (includes blueprint reading) Measurement and Layout Ability To Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment Dexterity and Safety Knowledge of Materials To be minimally qualified, your resume must demonstrate that you are able to perform the duties of the Mason, WG-3603-10 position without more than normal supervision, and your experience must be at the journeyman level. Examples of relevant experience include, but are not limited to: Repairing and maintaining historic masonry on historic trails, parapets, historic dry-stone walls, historic wet stone walls, buildings, and boundary fences, chimneys, fireplaces, and manholes; Cutting and shaping stone, terra cotta, brick and block; Removing portions of walls, partitions or other similar structures and repair in kind, and for the installation of doors and windows; Reading and interpreting drawings, blueprints, and specifications independently; Mixing and matching mortars, mixing, pouring, and finishing concrete, patching and/or replacing stucco, including paper, wire, scratch and brown coats, to match existing historic surfaces. If your knowledge and ability in the SCREEN OUT factor above is not sufficient, you will receive no further consideration. In preparing your application, describe in detail the experience and training which you have had that specifically prepared you for this job and to perform the duties described for this job. Experience should be clearly described and documented in your resume. Your resume must support your response to the assessment questionnaire, and if it does not, your application will be marked as not eligible. The qualifications reviewer will not assume performance of such duties by Job Titles alone. Address your knowledge, skills and/or abilities in the areas shown in the job-related factors. You must meet at least 2 points on the screen-out element(s) and obtain an average of at least 2 points on all of the job elements to be considered qualified for this position. Volunteer Experience: 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. Related non-federal experience or related experience as retired members of the uniformed services may be credited towards computing entitlement to leave accrual, at managerial discretion, providing that experience meets certain criteria. This provision allows new employees to earn annual leave at a higher rate than would otherwise be allowed. (5 Code of Federal Regulations, 630). All Department of Interior (DOI) employees, their spouses, and minor children may not acquire or retain any claim, permit, lease, small tract entry, or other rights granted by the Department in Federal lands, with limited exceptions. Additional ethics prohibitions can be found here, https://www.doi.gov/ethics/ethics-prohibitions.
Before you apply
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