Summary The primary purpose of the position is to perform a wide range of work involving installing and recognizing the cause of faulty refrigeration, chiller and air conditioning equipment and making repairs on large systems that provide for a variety of air conditioning functions such as heating, cooling, humidifying, dehumidifying, cleaning, filtering, and circulating. Responsibilities Major duties: Performs a wide range of work involving installation & recognizing the cause of faulty refrigeration, chiller & air conditioning equipment & making repairs on large systems. Identifies faulty equipment causes & makes repairs on large systems that provide for variety of air conditioning functions such as heating, cooling, humidifying, dehumidifying, cleaning, filtering & circulating. Performs complex repairs such as installing and fitting connecting rods, crank shafts, piston rings, bearings, and bushings. Locate and check elements such as those that control low side and high side pressure; the temperature of the cooling units; the temperature of the liquid and suction lines; and the running time of the various mechanisms. Conduct tests of air conditioning units and makes straightforward repairs that can be made without specialized equipment. Examine equipment components visually and audibly for the probability of leaks; and perform prescribed test procedures and explore probable reasons for equipment failure. Calculates airflow and pressure-temperature characteristics for different systems; locates and repairs faulty equipment swiftly in order to reduce inoperative time to a minimum; locates trouble before dismantling and makes repairs which ensure proper functioning after assembly. Assists with the setup of the digital systems controller (DSC) software program for advanced testing of medical center engineering applications; establish air sampling intervals and acquire controller gains via DSC step- testing of the HVAC distribution system. Installs, calibrates, tests and perform maintenance on pneumatic steam and hot water valves, & circulating hot water pumps. Installs, calibrates, tests and pe1forms maintenance on variable air volume boxes and their controlling units. Analyzes and dete1mines the need for flow switch and/or differential press switch modification or replacement. Serves as a technical adviser regarding the operation, effectiveness, maintainability, serviceability, and environmental requirement of equipment, including interrelationships with other equipment and the physical plant. Participates in the formulation of comprehensive preventive maintenance schedules and procedural guides for equipment. Makes daily check of the large refrigeration plants and daily tabulations such as temperatures, suction and discharge pressures and water temperatures, makes maintenance notations of needed repairs and completes emergency repairs as necessary. Isolate troubles in various @types of remote and internal mechanical, electromechanical, electrical, refrigeration and air conditioning control devices such as solenoid valves, thermostatic expansion valves, low and high side valves, capillary tubes and various pressure and control valves, and make necessary repairs and adjustments. Work Schedule: Full time, Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm Position Description Title/PD#: Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic/PD42311A Physical Requirements: The work requires carrying of equipment, tools and testing devices that seldom weigh over SO pounds. Most of the equipment can be reached from the floor or from ladders. Occasionally, platforms and scaffolding are needed to reach parts of the systems such as fans, electrical and water lines and duct work. The incumbent is required to stoop, stretch, bend, kneel and work in tiring and uncomfortable positions; and make repairs and installations from ladders, scaffolding and platforms where the parts of systems worked on are frequently in hard-to-reach places. 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) 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. 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.
