Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic

Summary

This position performs duties in the operation and maintenance of the facility's chiller plant and utility distribution systems, as well as the auxiliary equipment associated with these systems. If stationed at Loch Raven, during off-duty hours, the incumbent is also responsible for all emergency calls that may come in, as Loch Raven does not have a full night shift maintenance staff. These calls often include issues such as water intrusion, plumbing, or electrical issues.

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Duties

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Major duties include but are not limited to:

• Performs corrective and preventive maintenance of refrigeration, air conditioning, ventilation systems and associated equipment
• Daily checks are made for maintenance and minor repairs, such as adding oils and refrigerants, changing dryers, repairing controls, and re-calibration and/or replacement
• Major repairs include making major overhauls to compressors, evaporators, water-cooled condensers, motors and components
• Operates the Graphic Control Center which monitors and controls heating, air conditioning and exhaust systems for all patient care buildings located within this facility, in addition to controlling the operation of all zone pumps, chiller water pumps, fire dampers, and the cooling tower
• Monitors intrusion alarms, air handlers, exhaust fans, diesel powered generators, walk-in boxes, tower fans, fire pumps, booster pumps, control air compressors, heat exchangers and refrigerant compressors to ensure load requirements are consistently met
• Conducts mechanical checks of the plant chillers, water pumps, cooling towers and chemical feed systems by logging hourly gauge readings and conducting walk-through visual inspections to ensure proper chiller plant operation
• Controls the Chiller Plant in the manual mode by starting and stopping chillers, water pumps, cooling tower fans and support equipment from the hand controls to meet load changes during emergency conditions and/or during other intervals, as deemed necessary
• Maintains and repairs the pneumatic air conditioning controls, including calibrating and setting up transmitters, thermostats, and other related pneumatic controls
• Draw water samples, make water analysis, determine the proper chemical concentrations, and treat water according to manufacturers' recommendations to ensure proper PH, conductivity, etc., of both chilled water and tower water always, in accordance with pre-established timeframes
• Maintains hourly record sheets and logs of all operations during assigned shift
• Keeps all equipment within the Chiller Plant clean, calibrated and in top working order in accordance with the planned maintenance schedule
• Monitors all station auxiliary generators
• Troubleshoots all alarm conditions reported via graphic control system
• Assists in annual breakdown and inspection of chillers, pumps, fans, towers, etc., to ensure proper functioning of all equipment
• Monitors the fire alarm signal panel
• Occasionally performs assigned tasks in asbestos-restricted areas while dressed in proper acceptable attire and in compliance with established safety measures
• Uses tools and power equipment known to the refrigeration and air conditioning trade, such as refrigerant, electronic lead detectors and gauges, halide torches, volt-meters, psychrometers, charts, static pressure, charging gauges, instruments vacuum pumps, oxyacetylene brazing equipment, wrenches, ratchets, flaring tools, lever tub bender, tubing cutter vibration analyzer, manometers, tachometers, super heat thermometers, etc.
• Operates air heaters, coolers, pumps, control valves, relief valves and other equipment
• Uses blueprints, sketches, manufacturer's handbook, and technical manuals to plan and layout projects and to write specifications for replacement and installation of new equipment
• Provides quality customer service for all contacts
• Responsible for the proper operation of oxygen systems, medical air systems, vacuum systems, pneumatic control air systems, and all related equipment
• Required to operate snow removal equipment
• Responsible for the operation and maintenance of the facility's steam distribution system, to include piping, valves, regulators, converters, economizers, and low-pressure boilers associated with steam distribution and condensate return for heating, cooking, cleaning, and sterilization, as well as the facility's water distribution systems, to include all components of the cold and hot water systems, fire protection, deionized water systems, and the sewage/wastewater disposal systems
• Responsible for the operation and maintenance of the facility's electrical distribution system, to include volt feeders, transformers, circuit breakers, receptacles, and generators
• Responsible for the operation and maintenance of the facility's natural gas distribution system, to include all piping, valves, and booster pumps associated with natural gas used for heating and cooking
• Responsible for the maintenance and operation of the facilities pneumatic tube delivery System

Work Schedule: Varies, rotating 12 hour shifts

Position Description Title/PD#: Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic/PD512-25509-A

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.

For the Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic position WG-5306-10, you must have the ability to do the work of the position without more than normal supervision.

CERTIFCATION : EPA Universal CFC Certification is required.

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 eligibilities 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.

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

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

Whole Health is an approach to health care that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their life to the fullest. The VA is committed to Whole Health and values Veteran and Employee health and wellbeing. As a VA employee, you will practice Whole Health in an environment that supports personalized and proactive care.

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.

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.