Summary The incumbent will function as the Electronic Industrial Controls Mechanic with Facilities Management Service for the South Texas Veterans Health Care System, Audie L. Murphy VA Hospital. The facility is comprised of various complex utility systems that create and support a safe environment for patients, staff, and visitors. Responsibilities The incumbent plays an important role in maintaining and controlling equipment that impacts infection control with appropriate air changes/pressure for invasive procedures, sterile supply storage, and isolation patients; comfort level with air conditioning; energy goals with equipment efficiency; life safety with fire alarm operation with air handling equipment; etc. Duties may include but not limited to: -Works a rotating shift (1st' 2nd' and 3rd) to operate the Energy System Control Center (ESCC) on a 24-hour, 7-day basis, monitoring, adjusting, maintaining, and repairing the facility's building service equipment systems and related components. This equipment is vital to the functionality of Audie L. Murphy VA Hospital, and includes, but is not limited to: a. Air Handling Equipment - equipment that controls the air conditioning for the entire Hospital to include Operating Rooms; Supply, Process, and. Distribution; Reprocessing of Re-usable Medical Equipment; Intensive Care Units; Isolation Patient Rooms; Bio-Safety Lab; Clinical Lab; Animal Research; Bone Marrow Treatment Unit; Dialysis; Chemotherapy; Inpatient/Outpatient Pharmacy; Phone Switch; Main IT Servers; Admin Areas; etc. b. Exhaust Fans - equipment that controls exhausting of hazardous or unpleasant air particulates such as Sterilization, Decontamination, Clinical Lab, Bio-Safety Lab, Ethylene Oxide, bathrooms, etc. c. Chilled Water Distribution - equipment that supplies and controls chilled water flow to air handling and medical (MRI) equipment throughout the Hospital. d. Steam Distribution - equipment that supplies and controls steam flow to air handling equipment and sterilizers throughout the Hospital. e. Domestic Hot Water - equipment that supplies and controls hot water flow and temperature to sinks and showers throughout the Hospital. f. Fire Alarm - software that controls dampers and air handling equipment that provides safety during the event of a fire. g. Fire Suppression - equipment that supplies water to the sprinkler system that activates during the event of a fire. h. Lighting - expected to change lamps, ballast, and/or switches especially during evening-midnight shifts. i. Temperature/Humidity - software that monitors and alarms when sensitive areas are out of range. j. Research & Lab Freezers - software that monitors and alarms when freezers with patient and/or research related specimens are out of range. -Conducts periodic rounds of building service equipment and documents operating parameters and inspection of key systems and components and takes corrective action when equipment is not operating within normal parameters. -When the building management program is mal-functioning or not communicating with equipment incumbent must make manual adjustments to the equipment's controls and hardware to achieve desired results. This individual monitor area weather conditions, and if required, adjusts the Energy Management System (EMS) to compensate for extreme hot or cold weather conditions. The individual must make independent decisions regarding the distribution of steam and chilled water during extreme weather conditions. Incumbent is responsible for maintaining a safe environment conducive to patient care and safety. -Leaves job site and shop in clean and safe condition. Material and debris are cleaned on an ongoing basis during the job. Upon completion of the job the area is cleaned, swept, and mopped as needed, and left ready for the housekeeping staff to do the final cleaning. Tools, equipment, chemicals, and material are secured in the work cart so that it poses no risk to patients, staff, employees, or public. Work Schedule: Shifts (rotating) include: 8:00a.m. to 4:00p.m., 4:00p.m. to Midnight, Midnight to 8:00a.m. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description Title/PD#: Electronic Industrial Controls Mechanic/PDHA671-00470-A Relocation and Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required PHYSICAL EFFORT: Incumbent works from ladders, scaffolding, platforms, motorized high lift, etc. as well as other hard to reach places. Incumbent stands, stoops, bends, kneels, crawls, climbs and works in tiring and uncomfortable positions for extended periods of time. Incumbent frequently lifts and carries tools, parts, equipment, and material that weigh up to 20 pounds and less often up to 40 pounds. Occasionally lifts or moves, with assistance, moderately heavy object weighing more than 40 pounds. WORKING CONDITIONS: Duties are normally accomplished in a climate-controlled area and in the pipe and Interstitial spaces. These spaces can be hot, dusty, and poorly illuminated. Incumbent is subject to cuts, scrapes, splinters and burns due to the tools and materials used. Incumbent is subject to dirt, dust, spray, fumes, and odors from accomplishing job. 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. Pre-Employment/Post-Employment Physical Examination: May be required, depending on the needs of the organization 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: Electronics Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair Ingenuity Test Equipment - Electronics Troubleshooting (Electronic Equipment) Use Hand and Power Tools - Electronics 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.
