DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

**VA HEALTHCARE NETWORK UPSTATE NEW YORK**

**Buffalo, New York 14215**

**VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NO. 528-08-258**

## OPENING DATE: 7/16/08 CLOSING DATE: 7/30/08

**POSITION:** Dental Laboratory Technician, GS-0683-7 (Target 8) or
GS-0683-8

> *\*\*Application must clearly indicate the grade(s) for which you are
> applying\*\**

**SALARY RANGE: GS-7:** \$37,534-\$48,790 **GS-8:** \$41,568-\$54,038
Premium Pay Authorized for weekend.

**DUTY LOCATION:** Dental Department

MVAC

Buffalo, New York

**BARGAINING UNIT/Union Name:** 0659 - SEIU United Service and
Maintenance Division

***PLEASE NOTE:***  Employee(s) hired pursuant to this vacancy
announcement will be locked-in to the position for a period of one year
and one day.  This does not pertain to promotion or career advancement
opportunities.

**TOUR OF DUTY:** Full-Time, 8a-4:30p or 12p-8p M-F; Saturdays 8a-4:30p
and evening coverage. Subject to change based on agency needs.

**WHO MAY APPLY (Area of Consideration):** Current
[permanent]{.underline} employees of the VA Western New York Healthcare
System including permanent Veterans Canteen Service Staff (after
90-days), current Federal employees serving under a career or career
conditional appointment applying for transfer/reassignment at GS-8 only,
former Federal employees with reinstatement eligibility, veterans who
are preference eligibles or who have been separated from the armed
forces under honorable conditions after 3 or more years of continuous
active service or persons eligible for non-competitive appointment under
Special Authorities, such as, but not limited to, appointment
authorities for disabled veterans, veterans recruitment authority (VRA)
eligibles, or severely disabled individuals. The area of consideration
has been expanded to ensure an adequate pool of candidates. If you are
[NOT]{.underline} eligible to apply under one of these authorities,
please apply online at
[www.usajobs.opm.gov](http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/), reference job
announcement number VN200087.

**RELOCATION EXPENSES AUTHORIZED:** No

**NUMBER OF VACANCIES: 1**

**DUTIES:** This position is within the Laboratory Department of Dental
Service at the VA WNY Healthcare System in Buffalo, New York.  Incumbent
will construct dental prosthesis and other appliances as required.  This
includes all work with and fabrication of fixed and removable prosthesis
with extensive experience in the area of Removable Partial
prosthodontics with an emphasis on partial denture framework
construction (design waxing casting and finishing) .  Incumbent
fabricates must demonstrate an understanding in all phases of Fixed
Prosthodontics showing the skill and ability to learn fabrication of
inlays, crowns, copings and/or frameworks for porcelain-fused-to-gold
restorations, fits casting to the master casts, shapes, finishes, and
polishes it by grinding with appropriate instruments; verifies
occlusion; performs all duplicating and investing procedures for the
removable partial denture department. Performs all aspects of full
denture prosthodontics and demonstrates proficiency in the selection of
artificial teeth of the prescribed size, shape and color, set ups and
processing for conventional complete and removable partial dentures in
accordance with dentist's prescription; fabricates restoration for
single tooth implant and implant borne prosthesis. For a complete list
of duties, please contact Human Resources.

**QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:\
**Incumbent needs to show experience in all aspects of removable partial
denture fabrication.\
Certified dental laboratory technician preferred

**GS-7:**  At least one year specialized experience equivalent to the
GS-6 level in Federal service.  Specialized experience should include
the following 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. 

**GS-8:**  At least one year specialized experience equivalent to the
GS-7 level in Federal service.  Specialized experience should include
the following 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. 

NOTE: Qualification requirements are in accordance with the Office of
Personnel Management Group Qualification Standards for Technical and
Medical Support General Schedule Positions and Individual Occupational
Requirements for GS-683 Dental Laboratory Aid and Technician Series,
which is available for review at: <http://www.opm.gov/qualifications> or
by contacting Human Resources.

**To receive credit for education, all pertinent college transcripts
must be submitted with the application package.**

**APPLICANTS PLEASE NOTE: Education must be accredited** by an
accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
in order for it to be credited towards qualifications (particularly
positions with a positive education requirement.) Therefore, applicants
must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by
accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website:
<http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html>. All education
claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency
accordingly.

**Time in Grade Requirement: GS-7:** Federal candidates must have
completed a minimum of 52 weeks in a position no lower than
GS-6.**GS-8:** Current Federal candidates must have completed a minimum
of 52 weeks in a position no lower than GS-7. This rule may not apply to
applicants applying under the Veterans Readjustment Act or 30% disabled
authorities. These candidates must still meet all other qualification
requirements.

**English Language Proficiency:** If you are appointed to a direct
patient-care position or position incident to direct patient care,
proficiency in spoken and written English is required in accordance with
38 USC 4105(c).

**Physical Requirements:** Selected candidate may be required to
successfully pass a medical examination.

**Background Investigation:** Appointment to this position is contingent
upon satisfactory completion of the required background investigation.

**BASIS OF RATING:** All relevant information available on each
candidate, i.e., application, Official Personnel Folder, supplemental
qualifications statement, appraisals, awards, rating panel, interview,
will be used to determine the best qualified candidates.

**KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSA's):** Please explain how your
experience (including non-paid), education, training, job related honors
and awards indicate you meet the rating factors. All applicants should
provide clear, concise examples that show level of accomplishment or
degree to which they possess the KSA's.

1.  Demonstrates ability to design and fabricate and repair removable
    partial denture frameworks and read and interpret prescription
    requests from dentists.

2.  Demonstrates ability to follow a removable partial denture
    prescription and perform all phases of fabrication including model
    duplication, waxing, casting and polishing frameworks acceptable to
    the expectation of the clinical staff.

3.  Demonstrates the ability to perform all aspects of removable
    prosthodontic procedures including impression pouring, tray and
    baseplate fabrication, waxing, setting of teeth, flasking, and
    processing and finishing of complete and partial dentures,
    nightgaurds and stents.

4.  Ability to communicate orally and in writing with people from a
    variety of backgrounds with varying levels of understanding.

5.  Demonstrated ability to ensure final laboratory product meets
    quality standards as set by the expectations of the clinical staff .

6.  Demonstrated ability to work under pressure with minimal supervision
    and to meet deadlines in a collaborative team environment, sharing
    common duties.

**PROMOTION POTENTIAL:** Selection does not guarantee promotion to the
target (or any intervening) grade. The selected candidate may be
promoted without further competition when all legal and regulatory
requirements for promotion to the next higher grade are met; selectee
demonstrates the ability to perform the duties at the higher grade to
the satisfaction of the supervisor; and where there is sufficient work
at the higher grade level.

## CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PLAN (CTAP) EMPLOYEES: (1) Must be a current VA employee identified as displaced or surplus serving on a career or career-conditional competitive appointment, or an excepted service appointment without a time limit. (2) The vacancy is at or below the grade level and with no greater promotion potential than the position from which you have or may be separated. (3) You are found to be well-qualified. To be considered well-qualified you must meet the minimum education, experience, suitability and physical requirements. You must also meet all selective factors, where applicable, and exceed the minimum qualifications of the position for all knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristic factors. (4) You must occupy a position in the same local commuting area of the position for which you are applying. Individuals seeking CTAP must submit a copy of their Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice, or Certificate of Expected Separation; a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action, SF-50B which shows tenure and position occupied; and a copy of our most recent performance rating of record. 

## 

## REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION: This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the servicing Human Resources Office. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. 

## 

## [HOW TO APPLY]{.underline}: Your [completed]{.underline} application must be received at the address below by the closing date of the announcement in order to receive consideration:

## *Human Resources Office (05)*

***3495 Bailey Avenue***

***Buffalo, NY 14215***

[**Current Permanent VA Western New York Healthcare Employees**
**must**]{.underline} submit the following:

1.  VA Form 5-4078;

2.  Written response to the rating factors (use VA Form 5-4676a,
    "Employee Supplemental Qualifications Statement" or plain bond
    paper);

3.  Copy of College Transcripts, if applicable.

**[All others must]{.underline}** submit the following:

1.  Your choice of: a resume or Optional Application for Federal
    Employment (OF-612). If you are submitting a resume, it MUST include
    the following:

    A.  Announcement Number.

    B.  Full legal name and complete mailing address.

    C.  Daytime as well as evening telephone numbers, including area
        code.\
        Country of Citizenship.

    D.  Social Security Number.

    E.  For experience most relevant to the position, include name and
        address of employer, job title, starting and ending dates (month
        and year), average hours worked per week, supervisor's name and
        telephone number, and a description of your duties. If the
        position is (was) with the Federal government, state series and
        grade or pay level. Indicate if we may contact your current
        supervisor. Submit current or last Standard Form 50-B,
        "Notification of Personnel Action."

    F.  For all colleges/universities attended, provide name, location
        and dates of attendance. You submit a transcript.

    G.  Description of training, honors, awards, recognition, license or
        certification relevant to the position.

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2.  OF-306, Declaration for Federal Employment. New regulations require
    that all applicants for federal employment must complete the OF-306;
    therefore, application materials submitted without this form cannot
    be processed. **THIS FORM IS REQUIRED EVEN IF YOU ARE A CURRENT
    FEDERAL EMPLOYEE.**

3.  If you are a Veteran, you must provide a copy of your DD-214 showing
    **character of service** -- Member 4 copy. If you are claiming
    10-point veterans' preference, you must submit the Application for
    10-Point Veteran Preference (SF-15) with the required documentation.

4.  Current Federal employees must submit a recent SF-50B, "Notification
    of Personnel Action," and a copy of most recent performance
    appraisal.

5.  Applicants applying as reinstatements should also submit SF-50B,
    "Notification of Personnel Action," reflecting their prior status.

6.  Applicants must complete the supplemental qualification statement
    that will be included in the application package.

**INCOMPLETE APPLICATION PACKAGES:** Failure to submit a complete
application package, as stated in the announcement, will result in your
application not being rated.

**NO POSTAGE PAID ENVELOPE:** Applications mailed using government
postage and/or internal federal government mail systems are in violation
of VA and postal regulations will not be accepted.

**FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:** Joyce de la pena in Human Resources at
716-862-8872.

**INTERVIEWS:** Any interviews that may be conducted for this position
will use the Performance Based Interviewing (PBI) process. Further
information is available at [www.va.gov/pbi](http://www.va.gov/pbi).

**EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:** Selection for this position will be
based solely on merit without regard to race, color, religion, age,
gender, national origin, political affiliation, disability, sexual
orientation, marital or family status or other differences.