Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic

Summary

The incumbent serves as an Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic and is assigned to the Projects & Operations Section (Energy Center) at the Portland VA (PVAMC).

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Duties

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The Air Conditioner Equipment Mechanic Installs and repairs systems to condition the air for different kinds of structures including those areas that have special requirements such as communication centers, data processing centers, operating rooms, laboratories, intensive care units and other areas with sensitive equipment.The work involves installing, recognizing the cause of faulty equipment, and making repairs on a variety of domestic and commercial refrigeration and air conditioning units and systems for heating, cooling, humidifying and dehumidifying.

• Monitors and operates Direct Digital Control system and makes necessary changes in parameters, troubleshoots various problems.
• Makes meaningful contributions toward solving operational and design problems, and improvises troubleshooting techniques.
• Maintains, installs, troubleshoots and repairs electrical, electronic and pneumatic control systems.
• Installs and repairs systems to condition the air for different kinds of structures including those areas that have special requirements.
• Reads e-mail, time documentation and the work order system.
• Orders parts and materials needed to complete assigned tasks.
• Keeps records on refrigerants and stock on hand and amount used and/or reclaimed.
• Repairs compressors, evaporators, defrosting controls, relays, gears, and pulleys.
• Repairs and maintains water and gas distribution systems and equipment, sewage disposal systems, fire sprinkler systems, low pressure steam distribution system to include regulating valves, traps, strainers, radiator valves and condensation piping.
• Conducts air and water balance on HVAC systems.
• Uses flow hoods, differential pressure measuring devices, rotation vane anemometer.
• Calculates air changes and room pressures.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 3:30pm, PST

Position Description Title/PD#: Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic/PD20751A

Physical Requirements : The incumbent may be required to make repairs and installations from ladders, scaffolding, under buildings, small, tight places, manholes, and where the systems and equipment are in hard to reach places. This requires the incumbent to stand, stoop, bend, kneel, climb, and work in tiring and uncomfortable positions for prolonged periods. The incumbent frequently handles, lifts, carries and sets up parts with excessive weights (up to 65 lbs.). The incumbent must be able to maintain intense concentration for long periods of time.

Working Conditions : Required to work outside, under and on top of tall buildings, in cramped areas with low overheads and in areas with moving equipment and machinery: is exposed to electrical hazards, hot and cold areas, and contagious diseases; required to occasionally wear uncomfortable face masks and protective clothing: subject to exposure to refrigerant, acids oils , and other safety hazards during accomplishment of assigned duties. Often required to crawl under buildings where extreme exposure to fiberglass and asbestos is not uncommon.

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.
• 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 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.

EPA CERTIFICATION: In accordance with E.P.A 40 CFR Part 82, employees working in this position must have and maintain proper EPA Certifications for working with refrigerants. You must have and submit EPA Certification Types I, II and III in order to meet the requirements of this position. Applicants who do not meet this requirement are ineligible for further consideration.

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. Related experience include but not limited to: working as a journeyman in the installation, operation, repair and maintenance of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment; knowledgeable in the principles and theories of air conditioning, refrigeration and heat transfer; able to select, maintain and safely use the tools, measuring equipment, testing devices and instruments related to the heating, ventilation, air condition and refrigeration (HVAC/R) trade; repair, replace install, and test various HVAC/R equipment and/or systems; able to read from blue prints and diagrams when performing tasks.

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

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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