Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic

Summary

This position serves as an Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic in the ECC/Pipe Shop under the supervision of the ECC Pipe Shop Maintenance Supervisor, with second level direction provided by the Maintenance Control Manager.

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Duties

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Duties include :

Incumbents work involves installing, recognizing the cause of faulty equipment and making repairs on large systems that provide for a variety of air conditioning functions such as heating, cooling, humidifying, dehumidifying, cleaning, filtering, and circulating. Installs and repairs are used to condition the air for different kinds of structures such as warehouses, ships, hangars, hospitals, submarines, and large office buildings.

Incumbent works on a variety of commercial and industrial systems to locate and check elements such as those which control low side and high side pressure; the temperature of the cooling units; the temperatures of the liquid and suction lines; and the running time of the various mechanisms.

Incumbent checks for the probability of leaks by visual and audible examination of equipment components; by applying prescribed test procedures and equipment; and by exploration of probable reasons for equipment failure. Incumbent uses principles and theories of air conditioning and refrigeration such as the refrigeration cycle, heat transfer Jaws, the use of refrigerant tables; how to calculate airflow, and the pressure-temperature characteristics for the different systems in order to troubleshoot, locate and repair faulty equipment swiftly and to reduce inoperative time to a minimum.

The incumbent works on a variety of compressors such as gear, reciprocating, centrifugal, or rotary pump, and a variety of refrigerant controls such as those with low and high pressure side floats, automatic thermostatic expansion valves, capillary or choke types, and those based on volume or quantity changes. A variety of complicated motor controls are also used such as hennetically sealed motors and pressure controls, thermostatic motor controls (remote and double remote), full and semi-automatic defrosting controls, relays, and other controls to protect against overload or overheating.

Various types of power sources are used with various combinations or pulleys, belts, horsepower capacity, and tensioners. Incumbents dismantle repairs and reassemble units such as pumps, impellers, compressors, chillers, receivers and evaporators. Incumbent installs and fits connecting rods, crank shafts, piston rings, bearings, and bushings; overhauling valves by adjusting or replacing gaskets, springs, floats, diaphragms, valve fittings, seals and couplings; and aligning motors and flywheel drives; plans test procedures.

Incumbent installs and repairs systems for areas with special requirements. Installs and repairs are used to condition the air for buildings and complexes with areas that have special requirements such as communication centers, electronic data processing centers, operating rooms, laboratories, clean rooms, link training rooms, and other areas with sensitive equipment. The systems use a variety of methods of air conditioning such as mechanical compression, vapor compression, absorption, steam jet or air cycle. Incumbent installs special systems for areas with sensitive equipment; determines the size, shape, and the location of close-fitting ducts and installs or plans the installation of them so that the heat and exhaust is directed outside the test chamber or refrigeration unit without affecting the critical conditions. Incumbent recognizes the cause of faulty equipment, and repairs, modifies and relocates 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 other related duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday7:00am to 3:30pm

Position Description Title/PD#: Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic/PD11547A

Preferred Experience: Chiller and Walk-in freezer experience in a hospital setting.

Physical Requirements :

The work requires carrying equipment, tools and testing devices that seldom weigh over 50 pounds. Most of the equipment can be reached from the floor or from ladders. Occasionally, platforms and scaffolding are needed to reach parts of the systems such as fans, electrical and water lines and duct work. The incumbent is required to stoop, stretch, bend, kneel and work in tiring and uncomfortable positions.

Working Conditions:

Most of the work is usually performed inside, but the incumbent is frequently subject to sudden temperature changes when working on equipment such as walk-in freezer units. He/She is occasionally subjected to cuts, burns, electrical shocks, and respiratory ailments; and exposed to repeated, prolonged or concentrated amounts of refrigerant gases that may cause toxic effects on eyes, skin, and internal organs. There is an occasional requirement to work outside, on top of tall buildings, in drafty attic spaces, and in cramped areas with low overheads.

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
• 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 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 (mobile equipment operations)
• Measurement and Layout
• Operation of Equipment/Machinery
• Troubleshooting (Electronic 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.