Summary This position is located in the Durham VA Medical Center, Engineering Service, Durham, North Carolina. The primary duties of this position involve repairing and modifying a variety of equipment and systems that achieve regulated climatic conditions. The work requires a knowledge of principles of air conditioning, the ability to recognize and determine the best method for correcting malfunctions and the skill to make repairs to a variety of air conditioning and cooling systems. Responsibilities Primary duties include, but are not limited to: Maintains, repairs, installs, and modifies complex Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) equipment and systems; maintaining, repairing, installing and modifying refrigerated storage equipment Operates, maintains, and modifies the highly complex Siemens Apogee computerized central environmental monitoring control system to optimize efficiency and energy savings, while maintaining environmental functions, i.e., temperature, humidity and ventilation at proper levels for patient care and other facility operations Troubleshoot, diagnose, replace, repair and evaluate the HVAC system and its subsystems and components by use of the laptop computer, multi-meters, air flow and static pressure measuring instruments logic diagrams, as built electronic control drawings electronic schematics and manufacturer's literature Performs maintenance, installation, troubleshooting and repairs of domestic and commercial refrigeration equipment and systems such as walk-in coolers, refrigerators, freezers, ice machines, ultra-low freezers., water coolers, etc., and Canteen cafeteria and Dietetic Service main kitchen equipment Lays out, fabricates and installs sheet metal and ductwork for a variety of air conditioning, heating, and ventilating applications Maintains and repairs the medical air and medical vacuum systems, including vacuum pumps, air compressors, piping, etc., in accordance with applicable regulations and policies Repair, modify, program, troubleshoot, and adjust highly complex systems of electronic sensing and control such as centralized Environment Monitoring and Control Systems (EMCS) that use special purpose, dedicated computers to store operating parameters and initiate adjustments Perform data and processing units conversion. Troubleshoot using Boolean algebra to construct truth tables and logic equations for analysis of logic circuits and program simple test instructions in the PPCL language at a front end workstation or laptop at the field level network panel or floor level controller to check out particular circuits or functions Work Schedule: 7:30am - 4:00pm, Monday - Friday Position Description Title/PD#: Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic/PD063310 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. Physical Effort: Frequently carries and sets up parts and equipment that weighs up to 50 pounds. Hoists, holders, and pulleys are operated when removing units such as large compressors, condensers, and chillers. Makes repairs and installations from ladders, scaffolding, and platforms where the parts of systems worked on are frequently in hard-to-reach places; therefore, frequently stretching, bending, and kneeling long periods of time. Working Conditions: Usually works inside but is occasionally required to work outside on top of tall buildings during periods of inclement weather, in drafty attic spaces, and in cramped areas with low overheads. Uncomfortable face masks and protective clothing may be occasionally worn when there is a possibility of exposure to hazards, such as toxic refrigerants when making emergency repairs. Subject to cuts, burns, electrical shocks, and respiratory ailments. Exposure to concentrated amounts of refrigerant gases may cause toxic effects to eye, skin, and internal organs. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Selective Placement Factor: In accordance with Section 608 of the Clean Air Act, this position requires a valid Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Technician Certification (Type I, II, and III or Universal Certification) through an EPA approved technician program. Please include a copy of the certification/card in your submitted documents. Required Experience: Fabricating duct work from sheet metal for modifications, installation or repair of air conditioning duct systems. Installing and maintaining HVAC equipment and/or components (such as: ultra-low freezers, centrifuges, refrigerated incubators, tubing, valves, fittings and casting). Utilizing technical ability to plan, prepare, design and install all @types of HVAC/Refrigeration and exhaust systems. Utilizing technical ability to interpret sketches, diagrams, blueprints, electrical schematics, formulas and programming for a building automation operation system. Planning, designing, installing, repairing and troubleshooting HVAC/Refrigeration equipment and exhaust systems. Maintaining current inventory of parts, hardware, refrigerant, and other products and notifiying supervisor when reordering is needed. Utilizing schematics, blueprints, sketches, technical manuals, oral and written instructions while conforming to safe efficient working practices. Completing work assignments that are made through written and oral instructions, work orders and preventive maintenance print-out schedules. Assembling or installing a variety of equipment (such as evaporators, condensers, receivers, expansion valves, dryers, etc.) per manufacturer's specifications Making mechanical repairs to such items as pumps, compressors, chillers, receivers and evaporators performing such tasks as installing and fitting connecting rods, crankshafts, rings, bearings and bushings. Using precision tools and equipment, such as volt-ohm meters, amp meters, halide and electronic leak detectors, calibration equipment and other tools and test equipment used in the refrigeration trade Calibrating and setting up transmitters, thermostats, and other pneumatic electric controls. Charging systems with proper refrigerants to obtain optimum operating temperatures. Using charging gauges and charging cylinders to maintain HVAC equipment. Properly reclaiming and disposing of all @types of refrigerant. Applying principles and theories of air conditioning and refrigeration such as the refrigeration cycle, heat transfer laws, the use of refrigerant table. Making bench performance checks and calibrations to assure that each control segment will be operational as installed or with a minimum of readjustment due to peculiarities of a component or system Using vacuum pumps, halide torches or electronic leak detectors to troubleshoot and repair equipment. 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 appears as question 2 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 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 Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this position, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted. 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 (TJO). Please visit the Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP), va.gov/EMPLOYEE/docs/The-Fair-Chance-to-Compete-Act.pdf for more information. 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.
