Summary This position is located within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Mid- Atlantic Health Care Network (VISN 6), Richmond VA Medical Center (VAMC), organizationally aligned within Facilities Management Service (FMS), Utility Systems Section, located in Richmond, Virginia. Serves as the supervisor for the Utility Systems Section, exercising technical and administrative supervision over subordinate workers Responsibilities Provides shop administration, leadership, and guidance. Determines labor and material costs for maintenance and repairs, minor improvements, maintenance contracts, and alterations. Furnishes advice and recommendations to services requesting work and discusses factors pertaining to the work such as urgency of need, particularly if the work concerns patient care. Conducts periodic inspections of work that has been completed to determine the immediate and long-range work needs of the facility. Assists in preparing and justifying equipment needs and planned maintenance programs and works up projects to be accomplished. Prepares cost estimates for jobs and long-range programs, investigates work requests and suggestions, and makes necessary contacts to gather needed information. Supervises safe, reliable, and efficient operation and maintenance of the centralized utility plant which consists of the Boiler and Chiller Plant. The system includes three (3) 75,000 75,000 pounds per hour high pressure gas/oil fired boilers including economizers and combusion air heaters, three (3) boiler feed pumps, a de-aerating and condensate system, water softener, domestic hot water system and replated pumps, fire pump system, emergency generators (plant back up) pneumatic and pneumatic chart recorders and controls. Systems also include five (5) centrifugal electric driven chiller units, chilled water pumps, cooling towers, and chilled water treatment. Investigates any work-related problems affecting issues such as efficiency, productivity, or costs and implements corrective actions within authority for resolution. Maintains a preventive maintenance (PM) program for the facility. Schedules and coordinates equipment safety and functional inspections and oversees repairs and upgrades to all equipment in the Utility Plant and BAS system at the facility. Develops and executes of a training program meeting all VA Central Office requirements. This program must specifically address newly appointed operators to the plant on function, operation, maintenance, and safety for all equipment in the utility plant to include ongoing training to develop, maintain, and regularly refresh qualified utility system repair operator proficiency in safe boiler and utility plant operations. Program includes formal and on-the-job training for every specific piece of equipment in the utility plant. Ensures compliance with all VA Central Office memorandums, directives, and standards. Observes all safety regulations and hazardous material handling and storage procedures in the performance of duties and enforce those regulations with all employees supervised. Serves as a Contractor Officer's Representative (COR) for projects related to the maintenance, repair, and upgrade of the utility systems. Oversees all maintenance contracts for the Utility Systems Section including development of new contracts and administration of existing contracts. Prepares requisitions and specifications for materials and writes service contract proposals for repairs or installations and forwards to Facilities Management Service leadership as warranted. Inspects work performed by Engineering Service and contractors to ensure proper installation and compliance with government specifications and codes. The COR is responsible for completing the training for FAC-COR certification, VHA supplemental training, and any additional training based on the complexity of the contracts they administer. Must be proficient at repairing firewalls as the result of any penetrations made by the installation of any wires, conduits, mechanical piping, etc. In addition, will identify, follow, and implement all NFPA requirements to assure safe operations at the medical center. Must possess a valid driver's license. Requires occasional travel to satellite VA facilities with a government furnished vehicle. Must be able to drive a motor vehicle and heavy equipment. Respirator Requirement. Requires the incumbent to be fit tested for a respirator on an annual basis which may prohibit facial hair growth. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8am -4:30pm. This position is subject to after-hours, weekend, holiday, and emergency call-back due to operational or weather- related emergencies. Telework: Not Authorized Position Description Title/PD#: Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic Supervisor/PD500090 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Current grade of WS-10 may change to a lower grade as a result of the pending consistency review* 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 Subject to background/security investigation Pre-employment physical required 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 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. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/17/2025. 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) Lead or Supervise 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 Receiving Service Credit or 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.
