Summary This position is located at the Kernersville, North Carolina Health Care Center which is part of the Salisbury VA Medical Center. The incumbent repairs, maintains, and installs all @types of refrigeration and air conditioning units. The incumbent will determine the @type and specifications of equipment to be installed, analyze failures to determine the cause and preventive measures, troubleshoot and make complex repairs, and determine and complete preventive maintenance. Responsibilities The duties include but are not limited to: Maintains and repairs air conditioning and refrigeration systems. Installs, repairs, and maintains air condition units and ice-producing machines, commercial and domestic refrigerators and water coolers. Installs, adjusts, dismantles, cleans and repairs or overhauls compressors, condensers, climate changers, evaporators, receivers, oil traps. Installs, adjusts, repairs or replaces solenoid valves, thermostatic expansion valves, temperature controls, pressure controls, humidity controls; replaces sealed units on refrigerators when required. Makes frequent checks on Nutrition and Food Service walk-in coolers and deep freeze boxes to ascertain proper temperature is maintained for storage of foods. Uses the Temp Track system to perform daily temperature and humidity checks for refrigerators, freezers, operating suite, lab, pharmacy and other critical areas. Interprets equipment schematic diagrams, maintenance and operations manuals, mechanical blueprints, and electrical blueprints. Installs and adjusts electrical and air controls pertinent to air condition and refrigeration equipment such as pressure control switches, temperature controls, solenoids, etc. Determine the @type and specifications of equipment to be installed, analyze failures to determine the cause and preventive measures, troubleshoot and make complex repairs. Proficient in the use of drill press, acetylene soldering equipment, taps and dies, drills and other special and standard hand tools used to make necessary repairs. Installs, repairs, and maintains air condition units and ice-producing machines, commercial and domestic refrigerators and water coolers. Knowledgeable of shop safety practices, and understand purpose and limitations of equipment, tools and materials to assure safety of self and others. Troubleshoot and make complex repairs and determine and complete preventive maintenance measures for each @type of air conditioning and refrigeration equipment. Troubleshoot a variety of equipment to identify problems, develop a solution, and make repairs which ensure proper functioning after assembly. Troubleshoot and repair a variety of air conditioning and refrigeration equipment with minimal or no supervision. Preforms other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Full time, Monday - Friday, 7:30 am - 4:00 pm Position Description Title/PD#: Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic/PD05197A Physical Requirements: Work will be performed in tiring positions, such as standing, crouching, stooping, kneeling, and squatting for extended periods of time. The continuous hand and mind manipulation required for repair and adjustment of assemblies are fatigue producing. Incumbent must understand and work in compliance with all safety rules and regulations. Work is performed in a variety of locations including in the shop, on roof tops, and outside in extreme temperature. In certain circumstances, work of an unusual and hazardous nature shall be performed (deep freeze -5 degrees F. to outside 120 degrees F). Occasional emergencies may require duty beyond regular tour of duty. Incumbent is required to push, pull, reach, walk, kneel, bend, and occasionally work in hard to reach places. Incumbent occasionally lifts objects over 50 pounds. Work is sometimes performed on ladders and platforms. Incumbent will be required to use a 45 foot self-propelled lift to access some wall mounted and roof top units. Incumbent must have valid driver's license. Incumbent is subject to 24-hours call in event of emergencies. Working Conditions: Working conditions will expose incumbent to hazardous areas including crawl spaces, and mechanical rooms where employee will be exposed to dirt, dust, heat, noise, and moving equipment. Incumbent will also work on roof top HVAC units and will be exposed to extreme outdoor temperatures and precipitation. Protective equipment including hard hat, safety glasses, goggles, dust mask, safety shoes, hearing protection, and gloves must be worn when necessary. Personal protective equipment will be provided by VAMC. 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 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. 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.
