Summary The Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic supports the medical center by operating, maintaining, and repairing heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, and environmental control systems that provide safe, stable, and compliant conditions for patient care, sterile and isolation environments, diagnostic and treatment areas, laboratories, pharmacy storage, food service, research spaces, information technology rooms, administrative areas, and all associated buildings. Responsibilities Major duties include but are not limited to: Perform preventive and corrective maintenance on HVAC and refrigeration equipment. Install, modify, repair, and maintain a wide variety of commercial and industrial air conditioning and refrigeration equipment. Diagnose system and component malfunctions. Use electrical and pneumatic schematics, technical manuals, and specialized testing equipment to test for leaks, performance, and system integrity. Conduct scheduled and unscheduled maintenance for wear and potential failures. Monitor and adjust temperature, humidity, and air flow as required for hospital occupancy and patient comfort. Design and fabricate mounting brackets, tubing, or ductwork when adapting or installing new systems. Complete work orders and preventative maintenance records in the computerized maintenance management system accurately and timely. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Position Description Title/PD#: Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic/PD438-80410A Recruitment/Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the @context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. 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 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 physical is required. 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 #1: 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. SCREEN-OUT ELEMENT #2: In accordance with Section 608 of the Clean Air Act, this position requires a current Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved Universal Certification. Applicants who do not meet this requirement are ineligible for further consideration. SCREEN-OUT ELEMENT #3: Must possess a valid Driver's License to operate a motor vehicle. (Please do not submit a copy of your license with your application package. You will be required to show your valid driver's license at the time of your interview.) 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: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. Work requires regular physical exertion, including frequent standing, walking, bending, crouching, kneeling, climbing ladders and scaffolds, and working in restricted or awkward positions for extended periods. Frequently lifts, carries, or moves objects and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds and occasionally heavier items with assistance. Operates hand and power tools which require physical stamina and coordination. May be required to work at heights or in confined spaces. Working Conditions: Work is performed both indoors and outdoors, including in mechanical/electrical rooms, patient care areas, rooftops, and outside in all weather conditions. Exposed to hazards of electrical shock, burns, cuts, bruises, and falls from ladders, scaffolds, or slippery surfaces. Incumbent is exposed to heat, restricted ventilation, and poor illumination in areas such as equipment rooms. Incumbent is exposed to all weather conditions when working outside (parking areas, roofs, etc.). Exposure to varying climatic conditions from an office to environmentally controlled space, to excessive heat such as in the boiler plant. May be exposed to various hazardous materials while performing work assignments. Will be provided with protective clothing, equipment and safety devices for personal protection. The equipment rooms are above the normal decibel rating and hearing protection is provided. Hazardous gases/fumes are in the work environment during various tasks. Respiratory protection is provided for the incumbent. Risk of injury exists from falls, burns, bruises, and cuts. Incumbent works on tall ladders and scaffolds using dangerous power tools. Incumbent works in crowded areas and around moving machinery. Also required to work in patient areas which are contaminated with various diseases including HIV, TB, and is issued personal protective equipment/clothing to be worn. May occasionally have to operate a government vehicle to accomplish work required at VA outpatient clinics located off the main medical campus. 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.
