Skip to main content
U.S. flag
Back to results
 

HVAC Electronics Mechanic (DDC)

Legislative Branch
Architect of the Capitol

Summary

The HVAC Electronics Mechanic (DDC) serves as an expert on electronics and control systems to inspect, troubleshoot, maintain and upgrade heating and cooling systems. The position is the senior position in a career ladder for electronics controls mechanics and serves as a mentor for junior technicians. The selectee must demonstrate the ability to accomplish progressively more challenging control systems maintenance work independently.

Overview

Help
Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
03/18/2026 to 04/10/2026
Salary
$36.49 to - $44.74 per hour
Pay scale & grade
WG 11 - 12
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Architect of the Capitol
Washington, DC
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent - Permanent, Full Time
Work schedule
Full-time - This is an Excepted Service position and does not require or confer civil service Competitive Status
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
12 - Position has non-competitive promotion potential to the WG-12.
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Announcement number
CB-2026-150A
Control number
861688700

This job is open to

Help

Clarification from the agency

Applications will be received from All US Citizens Note: Please be advised that federal retired annuitant candidates may only be considered as a temporary employee if the role can be filled in that capacity.

Videos

Duties

Help

This position is located in the Architect of the Capitol, Office of the Chief of Operations, Superintendent, Capitol Building, Assistant Superintendent, Tenant Services and Facility Operations Division, Maintenance Branch, HVAC-R Section.

Essential: required to report to work during emergencies and inclement weather situations. Tour of duty may include holidays and weekends on a regular or recurring basis. Rotating shift work may also be required at supervisor's or management’s discretion.

Tour of duty: Evening Shift: Monday - Friday -1:30pm - 10:00pm 

Hours May Change Due to Operational Needs of Management

Duties and Responsibilities

Inspect and Troubleshoots HVAC Electronics and DDC

  • Uses a precise knowledge of Direct Digital Controls (DDC) for advanced troubleshooting and repair abilities.
  • Possess the ability to make changes to digital control programming for Automated Logic and Alerton control systems.  Uses skills to troubleshoot and edit a WebCTRL program.
  • Troubleshoots tools such as Wireshark and its usage in BACnet discovery.
  • Possess a basic knowledge of Automated Logic clippings and their usage.
  • Uses broad, practical and precise knowledge of electronic principles and practices to perform a complete range of electronic mechanical work relative to testing, troubleshooting, repairing, adjusting, aligning and calibration of complex DDC system components.
  • Performs operational tests of newly installed electronic assemblies and major components.
  • Performs tests to identify complex integrated circuitry malfunctions and repair the interface of components in relation to operational performance requirements.
  • Verifies and proof tests equipment being used to determine if such equipment and/or procedures are within acceptable tolerances.
  • Independently or as a team member, installs, overhauls, repairs, modifies and performs operational checks and built-in tests on a variety building application systems, sub-systems and related electrical, electronic, mechanical and hydraulic components. Troubleshoots, isolates and corrects malfunctions, using system test sets and diagnostic equipment.
  • Utilizes a knowledge of Building Automation Systems (BAS) to diagnose and coordinate repairs with EMCS, where necessary and to repair DDC and improve operating efficiency. Acknowledges and investigates error alarms to maintain system integrity.
  • Isolates problems and determines nature and scope of repairs and replacements required by making voltage, frequency calculations, tracing circuits and relationships in the signal flow through the use of schematics and applicable drawings.

HVAC Operation and Performance

  • Possess a broad understanding of control strategies for chill water distribution systems.  Understands and implements reset control strategies and 100% outside air control strategies for improved HVAC system performance.
  • Develops heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) operational schedules using Automated Logic WebCTRL system.
  • Understands and implements feedforward and feedback control loops, how they differ and their purpose in control strategies.
  • Troubleshoots HVAC operational issues using Automated Logic WebCTRL’s alarms, trends and reporting features. Uses diagnostic fault tools for advanced troubleshooting of operational issues.
  • In the absence of established documentation determines the method and technique necessary to perform electronic tests.
  • Performs operational checks of advanced electronic assemblies in accordance with vendor procedures.
  • Fuses chilled water or refrigerant lines to condensers, evaporators, compressors and controls. Evacuates, dehydrates and charges system with appropriate refrigerants. Checks for refrigerant leakages. Resets controls essential to maintain desired temperatures, pressure and humidity.
  • Locates and diagnoses problems in control systems following trouble calls or inspections. Fabricates new and/or repairs parts such as hinges, flanges, pipe joints and bearing sleeves, which can require welding. Makes all necessary adjustments in electrical and pneumatic controls for optimal operation of chilled or hot water valves, booster heaters, pre-heaters, maximum air return, outside air and automatic and bypass volume dampers.
  • Checks systems for suitable running cycles, refrigerant and oil leakages, motor and compressor temperatures, belt adjustment, set points, cleanliness, operations and superheat rotation and heating protection.
  • Tests and aligns and final adjustments to meet calibration standards using a variety of sophisticated commercial test equipment such as electronic counters, digital multi-meters, oscilloscopes, card readers, controllers (computers), etc.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

  • You must be able to pass a drug test.
  • Your resume and question responses must demonstrate job-related elements.

“To be employed by the Architect of the Capitol in a paid position, an individual must meet one of the categories below:

A citizen of the United States;

A person who is lawfully admitted for permanent residence and is seeking citizenship as outlined in 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)(B);

A person who is admitted as a refugee under 8 U.S.C. 1157 or is granted asylum under 8 U.S.C. 1158 and has filed a declaration of intention to become a lawful permanent resident and then a citizen when eligible;

A person who owes allegiance to the United States (nationals of American Samoa, Swains Island, and the Northern Mariana Islands, and nationals who meet other requirements described in 8 U.S.C. 1408); or

A person who is currently an officer or employee of the Government of the United States.”

Qualifications

You must meet all eligibility and qualification requirements by the closing date of the job announcement.

You must meet the following SCREEN-OUT(S) required for this position.

For WG-12

Ability to perform HVAC Electronics Mechanic (DDC) work without more than normal supervision. (Screen-out Factor) including:

  • Guiding others and independently aligning, installing, maintaining, operating, troubleshooting, and repairing HVAC electronic systems. 

For WG-11

Ability to perform HVAC Electronics Mechanic (DDC) work without more than normal supervision. (Screen-out Factor) including:

  • Independently aligning, installing, maintaining, operating, troubleshooting, and repairing HVAC electronics systems. 

Education

There is no educational requirement.

Additional information

Welcome Veterans. The Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) gives veterans' preference rights in the legislative branch to certain veterans as applied by the Congressional Accountability Act. Veterans' preference is applied on this vacancy announcement. If you are a veteran and have been separated under honorable conditions, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility; SF-15, if applicable; and Department of Veterans Affairs documentation of disability, if applicable. For more information, please visit https://www.fedshirevets.gov/.

If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System.  If you are exempt from registration under Selective Service Law, you must provide appropriate proof of exemption. Please visit the Selective Service System website for more information.

DRUG TESTING: The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) is a Drug Free Workplace. As part of the AOC’s suitability assessment, a candidate tentatively selected for a position who is not currently an AOC employee is required to submit to screening for illegal drug use. Satisfactory completion of a drug test is a condition of employment with the Agency. A candidate must test negative prior to being eligible for appointment into a position. We will schedule, provide and cover the cost for the drug test.
 
The selectee(s) under the vacancy announcement for this position is subject to a criminal record check by the U.S. Capitol Police and satisfactory adjudication to be eligible for employment at the Architect of the Capitol.
 
The Architect of the Capitol is an E-VERIFY Participant. E-VERIFY is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment authorization in the United States. If you are selected for this position, the documentation that you present for purposes of completing the DHS Form I-9 will be verified through the DHS "E-VERIFY" electronic system. For more information on E-Verify, please visit http://www.dhs.gov/files/programs/gc_1185221678150.shtm

The Architect of the Capitol is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information and/or disability.

This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
 
Moving expenses are not authorized.
 
Relocation expenses are not authorized.
 
Probationary Period A newly appointed selectee is subject to the completion of a one-year trial/probationary period, regardless of whether or not a trial/probationary period has been completed previously with the Architect of the Capitol or another Federal agency.

This vacancy announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies in any of the jurisdictions of the Architect of the Capitol.

All application materials become the property of the Architect of the Capitol.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Review your resume and responses carefully. Your eligibility for consideration and qualifications for the position will be determined based upon a review of your detailed resume and your responses to job specific self-assessment questions.

Your resume will be evaluated based on evidence of your ability to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) for this position, possession of any specialized experience, and how well your background and experience relates to the self-assessment questions in the job announcement.  The self-assessment questions relate to the following knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies:

  • Ability to Lead
  • Electronic Equipment Experience
  • New Methods
  • Test Equipment
  • Troubleshooting

Your responses to the self assessment questions serve as the basis for your initial rating.  You will receive a numerical score based on your responses to these questions.  Next, your responses will be evaluated by a Human Resources Specialist and/or a subject matter expert against the information provided in your resume and optional cover letter.    Your resume must support your answers to the self assessment questions.  Falsifying your background, education, and/or experience is cause for not hiring you or disqualification for further consideration. 
Please note that a complete application is required for consideration. (Please review the “Required Documents” section of this job announcement to see what must be included in a complete application).


You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.