Clarification from the agency

First consideration will be given to current permanent employees of Kansas City VA Medical Center. Second consideration to current permanent VHA employee.

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To evaluate candidates who meet the minimum qualifications for this skilled trades position, the selecting official may conduct a Practical Job Interview / Hands-On Skills Assessment.

In accordance with OPM guidance for skilled trades and craft positions, a practical interview may be used to assess proficiency in the critical competencies of this position. This is not a formal test, but a demonstration of your ability to perform representative job tasks.

Candidates who are referred and selected for an interview may be asked to demonstrate, verbally explain, or physically perform tasks such as the duties below.

Major duties include, but are not limited to the following:

HVAC/R System Maintenance & Repair

Perform installation, troubleshooting, repair, and preventive maintenance on HVAC/R systems ranging from ¼-ton to 1500-ton capacity, including hermetic reciprocating units and centrifugal chillers. Service and repair air- and water-cooled chillers, walk-in coolers, freezers, refrigerators, VFDs, ice machines, pumps, induction units, fan coil units, make-up air units, mini-split systems, heat-recovery units, window units, and air handling units. Troubleshoot and repair electric, steam, and hot-water reheat systems, including control sequencing, actuators, valves, and temperature control issues. Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair electric humidification systems, including water feed components, canisters, steam piping, and BAS control integration.

Refrigeration Systems & Piping

Conduct refrigerant diagnostics by evaluating superheat, subcooling, metering devices, restrictions, and overall system performance. Charge refrigeration systems using manufacturer specifications, P-T relationships, and EPA-approved recovery and charging procedures. Perform brazing and soldering on copper refrigerant, hot-water heating, and chilled-water piping systems, ensuring proper purge, flow, and joint integrity.

Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) Systems

Troubleshoot and maintain VRF systems including branch selector boxes, refrigerant manifolds, multi-zone controls, electronic expansion valves, and integrated communication networks.

Mission-Critical Cooling & Environmental Stability

Operate and service data-center HVAC systems (CRAC/CRAH units, cooling loops, humidity control, containment) to ensure redundancy and environmental stability. Respond to Temp Track monitoring alerts across pharmacy, laboratory, surgery, sterile storage, nutrition, and research environments; replace sensors, calibrate devices, and verify environmental compliance.

Healthcare Ventilation & Regulatory Compliance

Perform airflow measurements, air-exchange verification, and directional-pressure testing for AIIRs, protective environments, clean rooms, and operating rooms. Use balometer, anemometers, and differential pressure instruments to verify compliance with ASHRAE, CDC, USP 797/800, and VA ventilation standards.

Building Automation System (BAS) Support

Install, calibrate, and troubleshoot electronic and pneumatic controls and BAS-managed field devices (sensors, actuators, transducers, relays, VFD interfaces).

• Support BAS programming including graphics creation, adding/removing points, scheduling, alarm parameter editing, loop tuning, trend logs, and communication-network troubleshooting.
• Ensure BAS tuning and optimization support VA energy management and cybersecurity requirements.

Chiller Overhaul & Specialized Diagnostics

• Overhaul centrifugal chillers including compressor teardown, thrust bearing replacement, seals, wear rings, and guide vanes.
• Diagnose and repair chiller control panels, safety circuits, starter systems, VFDs, electronic expansion systems, economizers, purge units, oil-return systems, and condenser/evaporator issues.
• Perform chiller startup, shutdown, calibration, purge operations, oil sampling, and tube cleaning per manufacturer and VA standards.
• Complete, update, and close work orders in CMMS with accurate documentation of work performed, labor hours, parts used, findings, and required follow-up.
• Maintain a valid state driver's license and EPA Universal Refrigerant Certification.
• Perform all work in compliance with VA safety, environmental, energy management, and HVAC/R standards.
• Perform other tasks as assigned to support Engineering Service operations.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:00 am to 3:30 pm
Position Description Title/PD#: Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic/PD10498A
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

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
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Pre-employment physical required
• 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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial 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 or trial 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, 08/10/2026.

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:

• 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: The incumbent may be required to bend, reach and hold awkward positions for prolonged periods. Frequently works from ladders platforms, high places and cramped spaces. Considerable climbing, walking, and stooping is also required for this position. Frequently lifts and moves objects up to 50 lbs. and occasionally lifts and carries objects over 50 lbs. either alone or with others.

Working Conditions: The work is usually done both indoors and outdoors and is often dirty, dusty and greasy. The incumbent is subject to work in all types of weather and in work areas that may be hot, noisy, and close quartered. The incumbent is frequently exposed to the possibility of strains, cuts, scrapes, bruises, electrical shock and burns, and is occasionally exposed to the possibility of broken bones. Incumbent follows prescribed safety practices and uses safety equipment such as ear protection, hard hats, safety toe shoes, gloves, respirator, and protective clothing, as appropriate/required. Incumbent is required to dress appropriately to the task assigned using government-furnished uniforms and clothing and use all required PPE at all times.

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.

Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.