Summary The incumbent serves as an Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic in the Engineering service at the Hershel "Woody" Williams VA Medical Center, a level 1c hospital. Incumbent is a key advisor to the M&O Supervisor (Mechanic) and M&O General Foreman, providing insight and recommendations on management with consideration involving general administration, budget management, manpower, resource utilization, and participation in Engineering Service affairs. Responsibilities As an Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic (ACEM-WG), the incumbent will independently perform the HVAC duties of an Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic for the medical center. Major Duties include, but are not limited to: Incumbent will independently perform troubleshooting, repairs, preventive maintenance and calibration on a variety of air conditioning, refrigeration, and heating equipment, such as but not limited to: (3) 650 ton packaged air cooled reciprocating chillers, (48) air handling units which includes heating coils, cooling coils, and all piping and components (i.e. steam traps, strainers, control valves) from the gate valve inlet to the gate valve outlet on the discharge side of the coil; a 250 ton cooling tower that provides the entire medical center with cooling capability. Will independently calibrate, test, and adjust all electronic and pneumatic controls associated with temperature and humidity. Incumbent independently tests, calibrates, repairs, and replaces component parts of the control system, such as thermostats, humidistats, transmitters, controllers, sub-controllers, relay switches, valves, and damper motors to accomplish necessary repairs. Will ensure that needed plans, blueprints, materials, and tools are all available and that needed stock, tools, or equipment is obtained from supply locations. Must have the knowledge, experience, and ability to operate and repair air conditioning systems, plumbing, pumps, compressors, steam systems, small/medium size electrical/automotive motors, and basic electrical generating equipment and distribution systems. Performs all phases of operation of air conditioning, which include but are not limited to starting, operating, adjusting, securing and performing operational maintenance and repairs to air conditioning plants and all associated auxiliary systems and equipment. Must have a complete and thorough knowledge of the air conditioning and steam systems. Will be required to start, operate, stop, perform operational repairs and maintenance to all air conditioning equipment and associated systems, such as chilled water circulating pumps, air handling units, humidity control systems, and chemical feed pumps. Incumbent will adjust air conditioning controls to ensure systems operate at peak efficiency ensuring cooling, heating and humidity requirements are maintained within established limits. Using established VA guidelines, test all safety equipment, including but not limited to, high and low temperature controls and cutouts, flow limiting devices, control air system, chiller start up interlocks, high and low water cut-outs, safety valves, and high and low pressure cut outs. Must have a complete and thorough knowledge of plumbing systems and make corrective actions to ensure continued plumbing service to HVAC systems are functioning properly. Will troubleshoot, repair, install, and test 480V and below equipment and devices. Reset tripped circuit breakers at 480V and below, electrically troubleshoot and repair electronic issues, complex programming metrics, UV light testing, and perform safety checks on newly received equipment and components Incumbent may be assigned to other duties as deemed necessary by the supervisor. Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Position Description Title/PD#: Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic/PD20211A Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized 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, 12/19/2025. 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) 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. Physical Requirements/Working Conditions: Incumbent must exert moderate to arduous physical effort involving walking, standing, bending, sitting, squatting, stooping, lifting, kneeling, working overhead, and crawling. Incumbent is required to work on platforms, scaffolds, ladders, aerial lifts, and roofs, and is required to climb onto these structures carrying and lifting materials, tools, and equipment. Incumbent must be able to climb ladders and scaffolding and operate bucket truck and forklift. Incumbent must be able to lift loads of up to eighty (80) lbs. Frequently, work will be performed in cramped and awkward positions, including crawlspaces. Also, work is performed on interior and exterior of buildings. Work performed is of a precise nature requiring prolonged concentration. Incumbent works at times under conditions of extreme stress and must be able to interact effectively with medical staff and perform work in a calm analytical manner. Incumbent works around and with hazardous mechanical and electrical equipment with the potential for serious injury and/or death. Physical agility and dexterity are required while working around equipment. Incumbent works in close quarters and cramped positions, in service rooms, subbasement areas and other areas with marginal ventilation. Work is performed in engineering and shop areas, laboratories, offices, and many @types of patient areas. Incumbent will sometimes be required to work in environments where the hazards of asbestos, burns, exposure to chemicals, radiation, and contagious diseases exist and will be exposed to various elements of weather when working outside. Outdoor work also includes the risk of wasp and hornet stings when working around awnings, as well as other insects and animals. The noise level is sometimes high to the point of requiring ear plugs to prevent permanent damage to hearing. Other protective devices such as goggles, masks and gloves may be needed periodically. Work performed by maintenance mechanics leaves the incumbent subject to cuts, bruises, burns, and falls, in addition to the hazards associated with mechanical and electrical equipment. Incumbent must know and follow procedures for working in areas of infection, radiation, and use all appropriate safety tools, clothing, etc., to protect himself/herself, other staff, patients and visitors. 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. Whole Health is an approach to health care that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their life to the fullest. The VA is committed to Whole Health and values Veteran and Employee health and wellbeing. As a VA employee, you will practice Whole Health in an environment that supports personalized and proactive care.
