Duties

• Maintains Plant logbooks and records and provide proper shift turnover to oncoming Operator.
• Performs troubleshooting and diagnostics on all equipment as assigned and make repairs as necessary and required.
• Performs routine scheduled preventative maintenance. Maintain logs of scheduled and daily operations. Write, complete and close work orders as required.
• Performs repairs, i.e. rebuilding pumps, replacing items such as mechanical seals, bearings, valves, pipefittings and motors, repairing insulation, re-packing valves and re-piping systems is also required along with various other repairs as determined by the Plant Supervisor.
• Installs new equipment and systems that fall within the scope of journeyman level work as determined by Operations General Foreman and Plant Supervisors.
• Monitors and communicates with appropriate persons per medical center policy concerning station fire alarms, disaster notification and various other alarms systems.
• Ensures that all steam heat exchangers, coils and associated equipment are operated IAW manufacturer recommendations and VA Heating Plant Operations policies.
• Operates and/or monitors graphic control systems and various metering systems for the chiller plant, and Medical Center HVAC systems.
• Performs repairs to large air handling units, rebuild pumps, replace items such as mechanical seals, bearings, valves, pipefitting's, and motors, repairing insulation, re- packing valves and re-pipping systems is also required along with various other repairs as determined by the Operations Foreman.
• Performs diagnostics and repairs to both DDC and pneumatic controls and control systems.
• Repairs walk-in refrigeration/freezer unit equipment evaporator and condensers and lines sets.
• Repairs/replacements refrigeration control components: thermo devices, monitoring devices.
• Makes repairs and replacements to more complex refrigeration equipment: ultra-low freezing systems and equipment.
• Proficient in the principles and theories of air conditioning and refrigeration such as the refrigeration cycle, heat transfer laws, the use of refrigerant tables; how to calculate airflow, and the pressure-temperature characteristics for the different systems in order to locate and repair faulty equipment swiftly and to reduce inoperative time to a minimum.
• locates trouble before dismantling equipment/systems and to make repairs which insure proper functioning after assembly.
• Performs air balance test to determine the need for system adjustment repairs or alteration.
• Reads and interprets building plans, shop sketches, or blueprints and schematic drawings to locate equipment devices for recommended repairs and replacements.
• Performs inspections and repairs on a variety of exhaust fans to include but not limited to centrifugal fans ranging from 10 to 125 horsepower ranging from types: mushroom, in-line, up-blast, down blast.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 3:30pm
Position Description Title/PD#: Air Cond Equip Mechanic/PD688-20006-O and PD20006O
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
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Pre-employment physical required
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/30/2022.

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 .

Driver's license: A Valid State Driver's License is required to be submitted with your application packet to be considered for this position.

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:

• Customer Service (Clerical/Technical)
• Decision Making
• Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair
• Operation of Equipment/Machinery
• Shop Practices
• Technical Competence

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: Moderate to strong physical effort required due to the size of the equipment involved. Mechanic frequently lifts, carries, sets up parts and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds, occasionally heavier weights. Often makes repairs for ladders, scaffolding, platforms, and hard-to-reach places requiring bending, kneeling and stooping. The employee lifts, carries, and handles equipment up to 50 pounds unassisted and over 50 pounds with assistance. Works from ladders, scaffolding platforms, or cramped areas where equipment, parts, or tools are hard to reach. Work requires frequent stooping, stretching, bending, kneeling, and working in tiring, uncomfortable positions for long periods. In addition, work involves frequent movement and maneuvering of large, heavy equipment using hoists, holders, and pulleys as required.

Working Conditions: Occasionally required to work outside in all kinds of weather. There is frequently exposure to dirt, dust, grease, noise, odor, smoke, possibility of toxic fumes. Protective clothing or devices, including uncomfortable respirators or masks are occasionally required. May be exposed to explosive munitions. The employee works indoors and outdoors on elevated structures, and in cramped areas. Subject to discomfort from face masks or other protective devices when there is a possibility of exposure to chemicals, heat, steam, noise, noxious gases, fumes, or acids. Occasionally works on top of buildings, in drafty attic spaces, and in cramped areas with low overheads. Subject to possible burns, electrical shocks, cuts, strains, bruises, loud noise, hydrocarbon refrigerants and chemical irritations. To reduce dangers from these and other similar conditions follows prescribed safety practices and use safety equipment such as uniform/PPE clothing, safety glasses, respirators, hard hats, hearing protection, and fire retardant gloves. Incumbent will be issued with arc flash rated uniforms to include: pants, long sleeve shirts, EH rated hard toed- boots and cotton tee shirts. These issued items are required to be worn in full while on duty.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

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.

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified (have a final rating of 85 or more) for this vacancy. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/ .

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application .