Summary The Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic is within the Facilities Management Service at the VA Bedford Healthcare System, located in Bedford, Massachusetts. This position is full-time at 40 hours per week. Responsibilities The incumbent is responsible for the maintenance, repair and operation of all refrigeration, air conditioning and air handling equipment within the medical center. Duties include, but are not limited to: Maintains current inventory of parts, hardware, refrigerant, and other products and notifies supervisor when re-ordering is needed; Fabricates duct work from sheet metal for modifications, installation or repair of air conditioning duct systems; Utilizes schematics, blueprints, sketches, technical manuals, oral and written instructions while conforming to safe and efficient working practices; Completes work assignments that are made through written and oral instructions, work orders and preventive maintenance print-out schedules; Assembles and installs a variety of equipment (such as evaporators, condensers, receivers, expansion valves, dryers, etc.) per manufacturer's specifications; Applies principles and theories of air conditioning and refrigeration (such as the refrigeration cycle, heat transfer laws, the use of refrigerant table, etc.); Uses vacuum pumps, halide torches or electronic leak detectors to troubleshoot and repair equipment; and Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:00am-3:30pm Position Description Title/PD#: Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic/PD06023A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Notifications: This position is not a Bargaining Unit position. This position is covered by a special rate. Since the Direct-Hire Recruitment Authority is being used, traditional Veterans' Preference rules do not apply. Qualified veterans will, however, be given full consideration for this position. Requirements Conditions of Employment 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 (includes blueprint reading) Technical Practices Troubleshooting Without more than normal supervision In accordance with Section 608 of the Clean Air Act, this position requires a current Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved Universal Certification. Applicants who do not meet this requirement are ineligible for further consideration. 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 Efforts: The incumbent may be required to bend, reach and hold awkward positions for prolonged periods. Frequently works from ladders, platforms, high places and cramped spaces. Considerable climbing, walking and stooping is also required fo this position. Frequently lifts and moves objects up to 50lbs. and occasionally lifts and carries objects over 50lbs. either alone or with others. Working Conditions: Incumbent works indoors and outdoors, in all weather conditions, and is exposed to the usual occupational hazards. They are required to work in close, extremely hot or cold places and around high voltage electricity. Must work in noisy, dusty and humid places. Education 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 https://www.opm.gov/. 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.
