Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic

Summary

This Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic position is located within the Facility Management Service at the VA Loma Linda Healthcare System in Loma Linda California. The primary purpose of the position is to maintain and repair refrigeration equipment and systems to include heating, ventilating, and air conditioning in meeting the load requirements of the hospital and adjoining facilities.

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Duties

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Major duties include, but are not limited to:

• Installs and repairs large systems that provide cooling, humidifying, dehumidifying, cleaning, filtering and circulation of air, as well as reheat in VAV boxes for the air handlers to boost temps.
• Recognizes the causes of faulty equipment and performing complex repairs that may include disassembly and reassembly, fitting and overhauling various parts and equipment.
• Modifies and balances various elements of systems designed to meet a variety of conditions.
• The incumbent maintains and repairs all refrigeration equipment and systems assigned to the HVAC unit.
• Incumbent performs preventative maintenance and repairs on all air handlers and fan coils.
• Maintenance, troubleshooting and repair of pneumatic controls, Andover, Siemens, Delta, Allerton and other installed DDC systems.
• Creates and closes work orders daily, or as necessary, to ensure compliance with The Joint Commission standards as well as to account for labor hours, materials, etc.
• Responsible for the maintenance and repair on critical temperature equipment systems.
• The incumbent will do layout and modify/design A/C ducts, calculate C.F.M.s positive and negative pressures of HVAC systems concerning the environment of the space to be used, sizes of ducts, modifying pneumatic controls, calculating heat loads, calculating components that affect A/C sizing such as friction, static pressure, fan curves and motor sheaves and other critical elements associated in the trades.
• Experience in troubleshooting varied sizes and shapes of refrigeration and A/C systems equipment.
• The incumbent checks for 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.
• The incumbent understands and applies principles and theories of air conditioning and refrigeration such as the refrigeration cycle, heat transfer laws, the use of refrigerant tables; how to calculate airflow, and the pressure-temperature characteristics for the different systems to locate and repair faulty equipment, reducing down time to a minimum; identifies problems before dismantling, and makes repairs, ensuring proper functioning after reassembly.

Work Schedule: 1400-2230

Position Description Title/PD#: Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic/PD11220A

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Pre-employment physical required
• 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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• 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 or 2-year trial 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 or trial 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, 08/21/2026.

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

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.

Physical Requirements: The physical effort expended equates to lifting and moving large pieces of equipment and material, maneuvered into and out of confined areas. Hoists, holders, and pulleys are operated when removing units such as large compressors, condensers, and chillers. Carries objects weighing up to 50 pounds, makes repairs and installations from ladders, scaffolding and platforms where the parts of the system worked on are frequently in hard-to-reach places. Work involves stooping, stretching, bending and kneeling are frequently for longer periods of time than usual

Working Conditions: The incumbent is required to work outside on occasions when temperatures reach beyond 100oF and in outside environments with heavy smog. The incumbent works in drafty air handlers and in cramped areas with low overhead. Uncomfortable face masks and protective gear may be occasionally worn when there is a possibility of exposure to toxic refrigerants used in large amounts, electricity or any other hazards. Shall be required to perform Lock/Out Tag/Out procedures to de-energize sources of energy.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

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. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. 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.

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.

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.