Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic

Job Title

Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic

Job Description

To evaluate candidates who meet the minimum qualifications for this skilled trades position, the selecting official may conduct a Practical Job Interview / Hands-On Skills Assessment.

In accordance with OPM guidance for skilled trades and craft positions, a practical interview may be used to assess proficiency in the critical competencies of this position. This is not a formal test, but a demonstration of your ability to perform representative job tasks.

Candidates who are referred and selected for an interview may be asked to demonstrate, verbally explain, or physically perform tasks such as the duties below. Major duties include, but are not limited to the following:

HVAC/R System Maintenance & Repair

Perform installation, troubleshooting, repair, and preventive maintenance on HVAC/R systems ranging from -ton to 1500-ton capacity, including hermetic reciprocating units and centrifugal chillers. Service and repair air- and water-cooled chillers, walk-in coolers, freezers, refrigerators, VFDs, ice machines, pumps, induction units, fan coil units, make-up air units, mini-split systems, heat-recovery units, window units, and air handling units. Troubleshoot and repair electric, steam, and hot-water reheat systems, including control sequencing, actuators, valves, and temperature control issues. Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair electric humidification systems, including water feed components, canisters, steam piping, and BAS control integration.

Refrigeration Systems & Piping

Conduct refrigerant diagnostics by evaluating superheat, subcooling, metering devices, restrictions, and overall system performance. Charge refrigeration systems using manufacturer specifications, P-T relationships, and EPA-approved recovery and charging procedures. Perform brazing and soldering on copper refrigerant, hot-water heating, and chilled-water piping systems, ensuring proper purge, flow, and joint integrity.

Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) Systems

Troubleshoot and maintain VRF systems including branch selector boxes, refrigerant manifolds, multi-zone controls, electronic expansion valves, and integrated communication networks.

Mission-Critical Cooling & Environmental Stability

Operate and service data-center HVAC systems (CRAC/CRAH units, cooling loops, humidity control, containment) to ensure redundancy and environmental stability. Respond to Temp Track monitoring alerts across pharmacy, laboratory, surgery, sterile storage, nutrition, and research environments; replace sensors, calibrate devices, and verify environmental compliance.

Healthcare Ventilation & Regulatory Compliance

Perform airflow measurements, air-exchange verification, and directional-pressure testing for AIIRs, protective environments, clean rooms, and operating rooms. Use balometer, anemometers, and differential pressure instruments to verify compliance with ASHRAE, CDC, USP 797/800, and VA ventilation standards.

Building Automation System (BAS) Support

Install, calibrate, and troubleshoot electronic and pneumatic controls and BAS-managed field devices (sensors, actuators, transducers, relays, VFD interfaces).

Support BAS programming including graphics creation, adding/removing points, scheduling, alarm parameter editing, loop tuning, trend logs, and communication-network troubleshooting.

Ensure BAS tuning and optimization support VA energy management and cybersecurity requirements.

Chiller Overhaul & Specialized Diagnostics

Overhaul centrifugal chillers including compressor teardown, thrust bearing replacement, seals, wear rings, and guide vanes.

Diagnose and repair chiller control panels, safety circuits, starter systems, VFDs, electronic expansion systems, economizers, purge units, oil-return systems, and condenser/evaporator issues.

Perform chiller startup, shutdown, calibration, purge operations, oil sampling, and tube cleaning per manufacturer and VA standards.

Complete, update, and close work orders in CMMS with accurate documentation of work performed, labor hours, parts used, findings, and required follow-up.

Maintain a valid state driver's license and EPA Universal Refrigerant Certification.

Perform all work in compliance with VA safety, environmental, energy management, and HVAC/R standards.

Perform other tasks as assigned to support Engineering Service operations.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:00 am to 3:30 pm Position Description Title/PD#: Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic/PD10498A Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized