Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic

Summary

The position performs work involved in operating, troubleshooting and repairing complex utility systems. The position is located in the Maintenance & Operations Section, Engineering Service, at the Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center, Spokane, Washington.

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Duties

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The incumbent is technically responsible to perform preventive and corrective maintenance and acts as the technical specialist to other employees and management staff for the Siebe Energy Management Control System (electronic).

Major Duties include but are not limited to:

-Troubleshooting, repairing, testing, inspecting, and programming of all the electronics in the system.

-Making minor improvements on the control devices and calibrating stand alone control units and remote control electronic units for Siebe Energy Management Control Systems.

-Inspects new mechanical systems, checks function of the Direct Digital Controls (electronics) and sequence of the equipment.

-Verifies equipment functionif not following operational sequence.

-Troubleshoots and defines the problems, then resolves the problems or works with energy management control system employees to resolve the problem on the new projects.

-Technical responsibility for the repair and maintenance of all motor control centers, variable frequency drives (electronic control), air conditioning and refrigeration equipment with solid state electronic controls.

-Checks work completed by contractors for quality of workmanship and to check work to see if it complies with the appropriate codes and specifications. If there are omissions and equipment is not functioning properly and problems are not addressed in project, then incumbent resolves the discrepancies.

-Responsible for installation, modification, repair and maintenance of a variety of sophisticated, complex, and standard air conditioning, refrigeration equipment.

-Responsible for the service, repairs, installation, and maintenance on refrigeration system on clinical appliances such as centrifuges, self contained refrigerators, freezer, hypothermia units, blood bank, cascade low temperatures (temperature down to -100.F) refrigeration, and Cyrocuts.

-Services and maintains pneumatic, medical and dental, air compressors, medical vacuum pumps, medical air purifiers, all steam reducing stations, all pumps, all condensate devices, domestic hot water heaters, all converters, heat recovery systems, and solar collector systems.

-Achieves proper air balance, control of airborne germs by maintaining positive and negative air pressure within preselected controlled rooms.

-Installs, recognizes the cause of faulty equipment, and repairing, modifying and relocating equipment on various special-purpose air conditioning units and systems that are frequently modified to provide specific and critical climatic conditions in laboratories and other experimental or test activities.

-Performs installation, maintenance, repair and operation of HVAC equipment/systems, refrigerators, freezers, ice machines and related components to ensure that the facility is maintained in a high state of repair and safe operation.

-Works on all of the following HVAC equipment: industrial air handler units (AHU), roof top units (RTU), DX air conditioning units, chillers, air cooled condensers, cooling towers, pneumatic and electric controls, and fan coil units.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 8:00am-4:30pm

Position Description Title/PD#: Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic/PD70330A

Physical Requirements : Physical effort and working conditions: The incumbent will be exposed to working conditions that will require physical fitness. This includes lifting heavy fixtures (up to 50 pounds), bending conduit, climbing ladders, bending, stooping working in cramped areas for extended periods of time, and often working in hot or cold areas. Must work at times in poorly ventilated areas and under strenuous conditions. (-20 degree F.) Mental application: The incumbent studies manuals, guides, schematics, codes and other publications in order to keep current and abreast of changes in the field.

Working Conditions: Work is performed for a majority of the time on the inside where area is usually dry and heated or cooled. Work involves crawl spaces in buildings and areas over ceilings, with resulting dusty 2 and dirty conditions. Occasionally works in excessive hot and cold temperatures both inside and out. Incumbent also works around equipment and machinery with excess noise and works in manholes and off ladders and lifts. It is the incumbent's responsibility to ensure that all protective clothing and equipment are utilized to protect self and others at all times.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
• Selective Services Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( 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.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary 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.

EXPERIENCE: A specific length of training and experience is not required, but you must show evidence of training or experience of sufficient scope and quality of your ability to do the work of this position. Evidence which demonstrates you possess the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the duties of this position must be supported by detailed descriptions of such on your resume. Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Federal Wage System Qualification Standards.

SCREEN-OUT ELEMENT: Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element, which usually appears as question 1 in the on-line questionnaire. Those applicants who appear to possess at least the minimal acceptable qualification requirement are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated. The potential eligibles are then rated against the remainder of the Job Elements:

• Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair
• Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading)
• Materials
• Technical Practices
• Troubleshooting
• Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
• Without more than normal supervision

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; religions; 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.

Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. 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.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

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.

Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

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 well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website which can be found at

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. 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.

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.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.