The position is at the full performance level located at the VA San Diego Healthcare System, VA Medical Center (VAMC) in the Engineering Service, In-House Construction Team. The primary purpose of the position is to serve the Veteran under the supervision of the Supervisor, In-House Construction Team. This includes the functions of the air conditioning, HVAC systems and that provide for a variety of refrigeration and air conditioning functions.
Summary
The position is at the full performance level located at the VA San Diego Healthcare System, VA Medical Center (VAMC) in the Engineering Service, In-House Construction Team. The primary purpose of the position is to serve the Veteran under the supervision of the Supervisor, In-House Construction Team. This includes the functions of the air conditioning, HVAC systems and that provide for a variety of refrigeration and air conditioning functions.
The Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic performs maintenance and repair on a wide variety of systems that provide heating, cooling, humidification, and all controls that function in concert with climate conditioning at this facility. The work requires knowledge of principles of air conditioning, HVAC Systems, and the skill to install, recognize the cause of faulty equipment and repair commercial and industrial systems that provide for a variety of refrigeration and air conditioning functions. The employee performs maintenance and repair on a wide variety of systems that provide heating, cooling, humidification, and all controls that function in concert with climate conditioning at this facility. The work requires knowledge of principles of air conditioning, HVAC Systems, and the skill to install, recognize the cause of faulty equipment and repair commercial and industrial systems that provide for a variety of refrigeration and air conditioning functions.
Major duties include, but are not limited to:
Performs maintenance and repair on a wide variety of systems that provide heating, cooling, humidification, and all controls that function in concert with climate conditioning at this facility.
The work requires knowledge of principles of air conditioning, HVAC Systems, and the skill to install, recognize the cause of faulty equipment and repair commercial and industrial systems that provide for a variety of refrigeration and air conditioning functions.
Maintains, installs, repairs refrigeration and air conditioning systems located in such areas as warehouses, hospital, and large office buildings and complexes.
Alters or substitutes required components to meet conditions in different areas to provide comfort to patients and staff.
Maintains, installs, and repairs a variety of refrigeration equipment and systems such as ultra low freezers, walk-in and reach-in refrigerators and freezers, domestic refrigerators, x-ray developing refrigeration machines, deep freezers, ice cream boxes, water coolers, ice machines, centrifuges, cascade systems, cryostat, incubators, blood banks, direct expansion evaporator coils, compressors, condensers, chilled water systems, etc.
Maintains systems by checking performance, diagnosing problems, and making necessary repairs or adjustments or by replacing defective parts.
Troubleshoots entire systems. Repairs or replaces fans, pumps, thermostats, humidistats, motors, compressors, valves, gauges, pneumatic and electric controls, filters, and other related elements.
Starts unit and adjusts it for proper cut-in and cutout of refrigerating units, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, heaters, air cleaners, pneumatic air dryers and circulating pumps.
Adjusts system for optimum performance. Troubleshoots, maintains pneumatic/electronic controls that are related to the heating or cooling system.
Responds immediately to service connections, makes splices, insulates exposed wires, and cleans and lubricates moving parts.
Read and interprets mechanical blueprints, specifications and technical instructions to complete installation of equipment, repair specialized equipment, and make general repairs.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 5:00am,-1:30pm Position Description Title/PD#: Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic/PD13095-A Physical Requirements: Heaviest weight handled by the employee unassisted will normally be 50 pounds, and with assistance 100 pounds or more. Uses lifting devices or obtains assistance in moving heavy items. Works from ladders, scaffolding and/or platforms where systems are in hard to reach places, requiring employee to work in close quarters or in cramped positions. Work requires hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity to manipulate tools when assembling units and replacing defective components, coordination for reading and setting gauges, checking refrigerant leaks, and adjusting controls, and color discrimination to recognize color codes. Work frequently requires stooping, stretching, bending, and kneeling for long periods of time. Working Conditions: Works indoors and outdoors, on elevated structures, and in cramped areas. Subject to discomfort from face masks and/or other protective devices when there is a possibility of exposure to asbestos, toxic refrigerants, noxious gases, fumes or acids. Employee is exposed to the dangers of moving equipment, energized electric circuits, sharp metal edges, and toxic fumes while performing the duties of the position. Exposure to electrical conductors, moving objects, sharp edges, etc., may occur along with danger to cuts, burns, and respiratory ailments. Pulmonary function test (PFT), Chest x-ray (XR), Completion of Personal History Questionnaire (Q), Physical Evaluation conducted by Physician (PE), is required prior to start and then annually. Typical safety equipment required by the trade are safety shoes, safety glasses, respirators, protective clothing and hard hats.
Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc.
Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
Qualifications
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Certification Requirement: 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.
Ability To Do The Work Of An Air Conditioning Mechanic Without More Than Normal Supervision: Must have a knowledge of the refrigeration cycle of a variety of commercial and industrial systems to install, repair, and maintain circulating air and chilled water air conditioning systems, high, medium, and low temperature refrigeration systems, and total environmental control systems. Must have knowledge of the principles and theories of air conditioning and refrigeration as they relate to the refrigeration cycle, heat transfer laws and the use of refrigerant tables. Ability to read and interpret mechanical blueprints, specifications and technical instructions to complete installation of equipment, repair specialized equipment, and make general repairs. Ability to disassemble, repair, and reassemble units such as pumps, compressors, chillers, evaporators, condensers, and align motors. Ability to use a variety of tools, test equipment, and close tolerance measuring devices such as volt, ampere, and multimeters, vacuum and acid pumps, pressure gauges, serviceman's thermometer, humidity recorders, micrometers, calipers, welding and soldering equipment. Uses shop math when making layouts or determining pipe runs. Knowledge of troubleshooting techniques to check out the operating efficiency of the mechanical, electrical (working on electrical system of no more than 208 Volts AC and troubleshooting electrical systems up to 460 Volts AC inclusive), electronic and pneumatic systems for refrigeration and air conditioning equipment.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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/.
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.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Applicants will be referred in the order in which they were received.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Please review the above list(s) to ensure you have included all necessary documents required for your application.Not every applicant will require the same documents, therefore it is the applicants responsibility to ensure that their application package includes all necessary documents to determine qualifications and eligibility for appointment, such as a copy of your SF-50, transcript, ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).You will not be contacted for additional information. Applicants will be deemed ineligible if supporting documentation is not submitted.
Veterans' Preference: Since the Direct-Hire Recruitment Authority is being used, traditional Veterans' Preference rules do not apply. Qualified veterans will, however, be given full consideration for this position.
Applications are accepted online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.
To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 04/07/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12713100.
1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
San Diego VA Medical Center
3350 La Jolla Village Drive
San Diego, CA 92161
US
Next steps
After the vacancy announcement closes, applicants are evaluated to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Please review the above list(s) to ensure you have included all necessary documents required for your application.Not every applicant will require the same documents, therefore it is the applicants responsibility to ensure that their application package includes all necessary documents to determine qualifications and eligibility for appointment, such as a copy of your SF-50, transcript, ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).You will not be contacted for additional information. Applicants will be deemed ineligible if supporting documentation is not submitted.
Veterans' Preference: Since the Direct-Hire Recruitment Authority is being used, traditional Veterans' Preference rules do not apply. Qualified veterans will, however, be given full consideration for this position.
Applications are accepted online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.
To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 04/07/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12713100.
1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
San Diego VA Medical Center
3350 La Jolla Village Drive
San Diego, CA 92161
US
Next steps
After the vacancy announcement closes, applicants are evaluated to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
