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Summary The incumbent Dental Laboratory Technician directly collaborates and provides expert consultation to staff Oral Surgeon, Prosthodontist or General Dentists to design and fabricate complex dental or dental biocompatible implants appliances. Information, insight and expertise provided by the technician should reflect a knowledge of laboratory technique at the highest level possible and will be directly incorporated by the provider in developing treatment options. Responsibilities The incumbent Dental Laboratory Technician directly collaborates and provides expert consultation to staff Oral Surgeon, Prosthodontist or General Dentists to design and fabricate complex dental or dental biocompatible implants appliances. Information, insight and expertise provided by the technician should reflect a knowledge of laboratory technique at the highest level possible and will be directly incorporated by the provider in developing treatment options. This involves (1) working with these specialists in developing the design of the appliance, (2) personally fabricating, or overseeing the fabrication of the appliance, and (3) resolving problems in its fabrication. Following are some of the major duties and responsibilities and not limited to. First major regular and recurring duty or cluster of duties performed 75% Fabrication of full arch and full mouth fixed oral-maxillofacial prostheses. It is assumed that marginal fit should be consistently impeccable and that the biomechanical fit and tolerance of all prostheses should be extremely passive to deliver as little stress to the biomechanical interface as possible. Fabrication of fixed prostheses, whether tooth or implant borne to maximize success especially in situations where compromised. In these cases the technician is able to design prostheses to maximize retention and resistance form for long tenn success. Fabrication of multi-unit full arch implant bars, utilizing either lost wax of CAD technology ensuring passive fit and minimal strain/stress to the implants. Fabrication of implant casts utilizing soft tissue moulage to replicate soft tissue structures. Intimately involved in the fabrication ofmaxillofacial 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. Perfonn chairside or lab side instruction and demonstration to staff on laboratory materials and techniques. This includes three-dimensional model demonstration when necessary Scanning of complex multi-unit restorations for CAD-CAM milling. 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 prostheses. Utilization of all ceramic feldspathic press-able systems for fabrication of anterior all ceramic crowns. Perform hands on material research involving the latest laboratory techniques and materials, and equipment. Being able to evaluate materials and equipment and advise staff regarding the efficacy of these materials and equipment. This includes but is not limited to innovations in CAD CAM technology and materials. Interact and train both staff dentists and residents in proper laboratory techniques. Perform demonstrations and hands-on education for dentists and residents as requested. Solving fit, finish or esthetic issues for any prosthodontic complication, in consultation with practitioner. This should be done in a timely fashion with the patient present to maximize efficiency of care. The technician's opinion should be central in guiding the practitioner of problem solving options. Fabrication of press-able lithium di-silicate units for both simple and complex fixed restorations. Diagnostic waxing and planning of complex fixed prosthodontic cases involving alteration of vertical dimension and occlusal plane correction. Second major regular and recurring duty or cluster of duties performed 25% Pouring primary and final impressions Fabricating custom trays Fabricating bite rims Mounting casts on articulators Setting teeth for trial dentures/partials investing, packing, processing and finishing dentures/partials Polishing prosthesis following adjustment Fabricating night guards Fabricating provisional prostheses Repairing broken prostheses Adding teeth to damaged or augmented prostheses Pouring and preparing pindex models for final crown and bridge impressions Fabricating fluoride trays Fabricating transitional partials Provides daily education, training and instruction to support staff and residents Inventory of all dental laboratory materials Work Schedule: Monday to Friday 8AM to 4:30PM Position Description/PD#: Dental Lab Technician/PD03958A Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required. Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may 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. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/28/2025. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-8 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-7. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: : Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education s described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization (for example; For GS08, specialized experience equivalent to GS07). Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: 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. Construction of dental prosthetic appliances. OR, Education/Training: Applicants may substitute education/training for the required experience. To qualify based on education for grade levels GS-8 you must have 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 of Education/Experience for All Grades Above: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed training or 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 for this position: Customer Service (Clerical/Technical) Self-Management Technical Competence Work Practices Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. 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 in order 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. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. 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/. Education There is no educational substitution at this grade level. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. Receiving Service Credit or 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. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. 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. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. 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/.