Summary The Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic is completely in charge of the shift and is responsible for the safe and efficient operation of the Chiller Plant and all HVAC equipment throughout the medical center campus. The Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic position is located within the Operations Division, Chiller Plant, Engineering Service at the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Veteran Health Indiana, Indianapolis, IN. Responsibilities Duties include, but are not limited to, the following: HVAC 40% The employee operates and completes minor repairs on a variety of large commercial and industrial refrigeration and air conditioning systems and supporting equipment with complex problems requiring troubleshooting skills to locate malfunctions. Systems include those with a variety of compressors and refrigerant controls. Systems use a variety of complicated motor controls and other controls to protect against overload or overheating. Calculates air flow and pressure-temperature characteristics. Maintenance includes dismantling, repairing, reassembling, and testing units such as pumps, impellers, compressors, chillers, receivers, condensers, and evaporators. Troubleshooting 25% Troubleshoots a variety of large commercial and industrial refrigeration and air conditioning systems and supporting equipment. Checks elements which control low and high side pressure, the temperature of the cooling units, liquid and suction lines, and the running time of various mechanisms. Checks for the probability of leaks by visual and audible examination of equipment, by application of prescribed test procedures and equipment, and by exploration of probable reasons for equipment failure. Tests refrigeration, air conditioning, ventilation, and related control systems and equipment. Analyzes and isolates system malfunctions. Tests pressure and temperature of refrigeration and distribution systems. Tests system operation and detect component malfunctions. Inspects and calibrates controls and gauges. Plumbing 20% The employee receives all calls of a maintenance and repair nature concerning the Engineering Service during non-administrative hours. He/she is responsible for determining the extent of the emergencies that arise within the medical center and what repairs are necessary. Electrical 15% Repair, maintain, and troubleshooting will be done by interpreting and applying the building plans, blueprints, and wiring diagrams. Repair or replace controls and troubleshoot electrical problems from power source to equipment and checks wiring. Chiller related electrical components. This includes but is not limited to chiller control panels, chiller pumps and motors, chemical distribution pumps, chiller VFD's. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Full time, 4pm-midnight; Tour starts Tuesday - Saturday; Sunday and Monday days off 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 To qualify for this position, you must the following requirements. SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR (SCREEN-OUT) - A Selective Placement Factor (SPF) has been identified for this position. Selective Placement Factors (SPF) are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for the position. Applicants who do not meet the SPF are ineligible for further consideration. EPA CERTIFICATION: In accordance with 40 CFR Part 82, Subpart F, EPA, people working in this @type of position must have and maintain proper EPA Certifications for working with refrigerants. You MUST possess a current/valid Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Universal Refrigerant Certification. (COPY OF CERTIFICATION/CARD REQUIRED) Please do not submit any photos. AND Screen Out Element: Do you have the ability to do the work of an Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic without more than normal supervision? Related experience includes safe and efficient operation of a chiller plant and associated HVAC equipment; completes minor repairs and troubleshoots a variety of large commercials and industrial refrigeration and air conditioning systems. AND PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK CONDITIONS: The duties of this position require moderate to arduous physical exertion involving prolonged walking, standing, lifting. Repeated bending and will at times have to work prolonged hours. The Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic must practice safety in all work because of the hazards involved, such as inhalation of refrigerant during accidental release of refrigerant, direct contact with refrigerant in eyes and skin, working around high voltage and secondary voltage systems, climbing to high elevations such as cooling tower, working on top of air handling units where there are numerous hazards which could cause head injuries. The Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic will be working in areas where steam and hot water systems are installed, which the possibility of receiving burns. The Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic handles large pieces of equipment, such as electric motors, which weigh in excess of five hundred pounds. Exposure to sudden temperature changes going in and out of the deep freezes or conditioned and unconditioned spaces. 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.
