The Utility System Repairer - Operator is responsible for the Operation Maintenance and Repairs and Modifications of 2 Chilled Water Plants producing over 3,500 Tons of cooling and all associated equipment, all hospital medical gas and vacuum systems, electric and pneumatic controls for HVAC equipment, Building Energy Management System, Ocea - View Temperature and Humidity Program, chillers and all related equipment, steam related to all building HVAC, and Humidification Systems.
Summary
The Utility System Repairer - Operator is responsible for the Operation Maintenance and Repairs and Modifications of 2 Chilled Water Plants producing over 3,500 Tons of cooling and all associated equipment, all hospital medical gas and vacuum systems, electric and pneumatic controls for HVAC equipment, Building Energy Management System, Ocea - View Temperature and Humidity Program, chillers and all related equipment, steam related to all building HVAC, and Humidification Systems.
Maintains, repairs, replaces, modifies, and installs components associated with the Andover Building Management System to include field controllers, sensors, actuators, VAV control boards, hot water valves, and damper systems. All of these systems and controls must work in sequence for correct system operations.
Makes needed repairs on site, when possible. They must always document in the logbook and report issues to the supervisor to have work orders generated for all repairs. The incumbent assists in locating parts to be ordered and keeping affected services up to speed on parts ordered and repair schedules.
Often work directly with engineering or testing personnel while planning and modifying a system to meet specific conditions on HVAC units and Humidifier Systems. These include VA mandated temperature, humidity, and pressure conditions for critical MRI rooms, Sterile Processing, SPS rooms, X-Ray rooms, surgical rooms, and computer server rooms.
Works alone and at times with other Utility Systems Repairer Operators, Maintenance Mechanic Welders, and/or Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanics to perform maintenance, repairs, modifications, and new installs.
Removes chiller ends and attaches pipework. They use a tube cleaning machine to brush the internal condenser and evaporator tubes and prepare them for eddy current testing. The incumbent also changes chiller oil filters and Purge Unit Refrigerant Driers. They perform regular preventive maintenance on cooling towers in each plant and always follow VA guidelines. The incumbent is responsible for ensuring plants are in good working order per VA specifications to limit the amount of plant downtime.
Changes, modifies, and adjusts belts, pulleys, motors, bearings, blowers, and greasing. The incumbent also cleans all HVAC coils and assures PM records are kept up on all HVAC related equipment.
Responsible for the operation, cleanliness, maintenance (preventive and reactive), troubleshooting, modifying, repairing, new installation, and fabrication of all air conditioning, refrigeration, ventilation, heating systems, geothermal HVAC, and dehumidifiers, both domestic and commercial.
Must change air filters, belts, grease, clean coils, change out electric motors on HVAC and all associated pumps up to 100HP, and ensure all PMs and repair parts are documented.
At times provides support to Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanics, Environmental Shop Maintenance Mechanics/Welders in the maintenance, repair, modifications and new installation of refrigeration equipment, metal duct work, stainless fabrication for sterile processing and kitchen, metal duct work, steam to hot water heat converters, steam lines and components including associated control valves welded and screw pipe (to support emergency repairs in PP boiler plant, water plant and other critical utility buildings), steam and hot water radiators, and hot water and steam convectors. While working on projects, the incumbent will make modifications or repairs to meet conditions required by technical workers.
After normal business hours and on weekends and Holidays the incumbent on duty is responsible for completing all duties associated with their shift. They also respond to emergency calls relayed from Boiler Plant Operators, AOD, NOD, Fire House, Police Department, therefore the INCUMBENT must be a multi - trade individual.
Work Schedule: Rotating Shifts Position Description Title/PD#: Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic/PD25504-A
Physical Requirements: The work requires a considerable amount of standing, stooping, bending, kneeling, climbing, and working in tiring and/or uncomfortable positions. The incumbent carries, lifts and handles parts weighing up to 50 pounds.
Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.
Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
May serve a probationary period
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.
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.
Education
This job does not have an education qualification requirement.
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.
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.
Area of Consideration: Qualified applicants will be referred in the following order:
(1) Career Transition (CTAP, ICTAP & RPL)
(2) The public
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 07/09/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12751756.
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.
VA Maryland Health Care System
10 North Greene Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
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 07/09/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12751756.
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.
VA Maryland Health Care System
10 North Greene Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
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.
