Summary Employee will be assigned to the Maintenance & Operations Section, HVAC Shop, VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN. Performs the duties of Journeyman Air Conditioning (AC) Equipment Mechanic to install, repair, and modify large and complex systems that provide a variety of air conditioning functions such as heating, cooling, humidifying, dehumidifying, cleaning, filtering, and circulating for the safe and efficient operation of all HVAC equipment throughout the medical center campus. Responsibilities Duties include, but may not be limited to the following: Installing, trouble shooting, repairing, relocating, overhauling, and modifying various special-purpose Heating Ventilation, Air-Conditioning, and Refrigeration (HVAC&R) units and systems. Follows appropriate technical data, blueprints, free hard sketches, work orders, verbal instructions and by using correct test equipment, tools, and protective clothing. Performs the appropriate requirements on the following systems and equipment: Pneumatic and electronic control panels, window air conditioners, walk-in and reach-in refrigerators, ice machines, fan coil units, air handlers, self-contained chiller units, multi-zone systems, cooling towers and associated components, water pumps, flow indicators, electrical, mechanical and pneumatic valves, drinking water coolers, steam, electrical and gas fired heating units, pressure reducing valves, traps, ventilation units, mechanical and motorized louvers, vent pipe for gas fired equipment, strainers and any other devices associated with cooling, heating, ventilation or refrigeration. Installs, repairs, and maintains large, complex, high- and low-pressure heat exchangers having a great variety of complicated components, parts, and auxiliary equipment. Operate, troubleshoot, adjust, and repair HVAC and refrigeration systems which are controlled by computer-based systems, such as direct digital, microprocessor, electro pneumatic, electronic, automated logic systems. Performs all troubleshooting methods to complete necessary repairs and preventative maintenance on all HVAC and refrigeration equipment within the facility. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Employee will work any tour as assigned, to include days, evenings, weekends, and holidays. Specific tour will be determined at time of hire. Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Preferred Experience: Facility prefers applicants who possess five (5) years in commercial HVAC working on Air Handling Unit (AHU) systems moving up to 45,000 cubic feet per minute (CFM). Requirements 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 You may be required to serve a probationary period Pre-employment physical required Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). 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. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) Qualifications CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENT: The position requires a current Universal Refrigerant Certification in accordance with the 1990 Clean Air Act, for the purpose of recovering, reclaiming, and recycling refrigerants. Certificate must be from an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved agency. (NOTE: Please submit a copy of the certification/card with your application packet.) Do not submit photos. PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK CONDITIONS: Strenuous physical effort is required while dismantling and reassembling equipment. The incumbent frequently carries and sets up parts and equipment that weigh up to fifty (50) pounds. Occasionally, they lift or move with assistance moderately heavy objects, weighing more than seventy five (75) pounds. When at a job site, strenuous physical exertion is sometimes required when handling heavy and bulky materials, lifting, carrying, and pushing or pulling moderately heavy loads. The employee must work from ladders, catwalks, scaffolding, etc., where parts of systems worked on are frequently in uncomfortable, hard-to-reach places. Stooping, stretching, bending, climbing, and kneeling are frequently encountered for long periods of time. Hand dexterity is a critical requirement in completing most tasks. Employee must be mentally alert and physically capable at all times, as this @type of work is very hard and hazardous. The employee works both inside and outside of the Medical Center and is required to work in cramped areas with low overheads. The employee is subject to exposure from toxic refrigerants. Employee will be required to wear personal protective equipment while performing certain tasks. Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Federal Wage System Qualifications. For this position, the job element method is used to match what you, the applicant, can do against what the work calls for. Your knowledge, skills and abilities will be compared to the knowledge, skills and abilities (called job elements) needed for success. Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element (WG-2 and higher only; screen-outs are not applicable to WG-1). Applicants who appear to meet the screen out element are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated from consideration. The potential eligibles are rated against the remainder of the job elements. While a specific length of training and experience is not required, your responses to the questionnaire must be supported by detailed descriptions of your experience on your resume. You will be rated on the following Job Elements as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: 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 IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. 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. 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; religious; 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. Education 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.