Summary The incumbent performs tasks involved in the operation, maintenance, and repair of the Martinsburg VAMC Utilities Plants and the buildings these utilities serve. These utilities serve and require work in eighty-two buildings spanning 1,288,730 of square footage under roof on a 175-acre campus with new buildings and added square footage planned. The incumbent will be assigned to Boiler Plant. Responsibilities The incumbent will operate, maintain, and repair a high-pressure boiler plant that includes three (3), gas/oil-fired high-pressure boilers and deliver 24500 lbs/hr of steam each, boiler feed-water pumps, condensate pumps, deaerator, condensate return systems, chemical feed systems, and associated auxiliary equipment. These boilers provide steam for campus wide heating, humidification for critical areas, and used to make campus wide potable hot water. The incumbent starts, stops, and regulates high pressure boilers and associated equipment as load demands. Ensures that all boilers and associated equipment are operated by manufacturer recommendations and VA Boiler Plant Operations policies and procedures. Incumbent tests and ensures that all boilers and associated equipment are tested and perform in accordance with boiler plant safety device testing manual's latest edition. The incumbent will repair or replace any safety device that have failed the safety device testing. Incumbent performs annual boiler plant cleanings and inspections to include shut down, lockout/tagout (LOTO), and breakdown of boilers in accordance with manufacturer specifications. Operate, maintain, and repair two (2) 75,000 gallon and two (2) 35,000 gallon ultra sulfur diesel above ground storage tanks, fuel oil transfer pumps, associated fuel oil piping, and metering equipment. Routinely collects samples in the Boiler Plant from boiler, feed water, condensate, and makeup water systems. Perform and analyze chemical tests on collected samples and chemically treats water systems to maintain proper chemical levels. The incumbent will ensure proper operation, maintenance, and repair of the air handler unit, 3 mini split system air conditioning units, 7 VAV boxes, 2 air compressors, 5 exhaust fans, 9 steam feed fan heaters, 8 frequency drives, and multiple building management system (BMS) for the entire boiler plant facility. The incumbent must have knowledge in Direct Digital Control (DDC) systems such as but not limited to Johnson Controls Metasys and Hays Cleveland Building Management System. The back up DDC campus wide unit for Metasys is located and monitored by the boiler plant. Assist Contractor with the Annual Safety device testing during the scheduled Annual Boiler Maintenance and with the Chemical Contractor that delivers product needed for plant operation. The incumbent will complete gage calibration that is completed in house. Maintains compliance with Boiler Plant VHA Directive 1810 and must possess an EPA Universal Technician certification for refrigerant transition and recovery. All duties assigned to the employee by the supervisor must be done independently without direction and supervisor oversight EPA Universal CFC Certification is Required. Work Schedule: Rotating Tours Position Description Title/PD#: Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic/PD25242A Physical Requirements: The work requires a considerable amount of standing, stooping, bending, kneeling, climbing, and working in tiring and/or uncomfortable position. The incumbent carries, lifts and handles parts weighing up to 50 pounds. Requirements Conditions of Employment U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Services Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 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. Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. 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, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. 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) 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 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. 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. Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities. 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.
