Summary This position is located in Facilities Management Service at the VA New Jersey Healthcare System in East Orange, NJ. The primary purpose of the position is to install, maintain, and repair air conditioning and refrigeration equipment in all areas of the medical center, and install and service electronic air cleaners throughout the facility. Responsibilities MAJOR DUTIES: Repairs, inspects, lubricates, installs, and troubleshoots all air conditioning, refrigeration and ventilation equipment at the medical center. Will also be responsible for heating systems in centrally controlled systems. Some examples of the @types of equipment would include household and commercial refrigerators, water coolers, ice machines, window and central AC systems and chiller systems. Installs all necessary piping and tubing for assigned systems and equipment. Also is responsible for all wiring and control circuits within the system. Uses refrigerants and refrigeration oils within the scope of his work. Exercises responsibility for observing all safe trade practices and handling all tools and material in a safe manner. Takes part in the maintenance and repair of steam distribution systems, water treatment systems, sewage ejection systems, medical and dental air and vacuum systems emergency generator general maintenance and repairs. Will be subject to emergency callbacks. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am to 4:30 pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved 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 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) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary 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, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK CONDITIONS: The work performed requires walking, standing, sitting, stooping, crouching, climbing ladders and steps when performing repairs or making installations. Work may involve carrying and setting up equipment weighing up to 50 pounds. Hoists, hand trucks, and pulleys are used in maneuvering heavy equipment being installed or serviced. Makes repairs from platforms and ladders. May have to work in hard to reach places. Most of the time the work is performed indoors with adequate light and ventilation. Occasionally works in areas of temperature extremes, e.g., 100 degrees Fahrenheit and above in the plant or is exposed to changes in temperature while working on outside cooling towers, roof exhausts and ventilating fans. Noise level is often high, sometimes to the point of requiring ear plugs to prevent permanent damage to the hearing. Other protective devices such as goggles, masks, and gloves, may be needed periodically. Exposed to possibility of burns when working on steam and hot water lines. Occasionally works in contaminated areas and is exposed to communicable diseases when changing filters, etc. A/C Mechanics are also subjected to noxious gases, cuts, bruises and scrapes. 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 Note: Per "Executive Order 14251: Exclusions from Federal Labor-Management Relations Programs", this position is no longer eligible for bargaining unit participation. 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.
