Clarification from the agency

ALL US CITIZENS DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.201) for this occupation.

Duties include but not limited to:

• Maintenance, repair, installation, modification, overhaul, and adjustments to complex heating, air conditioning, ventilation, and refrigeration equipment systems.
• Installs, operates, adjusts, maintains, and modifies, a highly complex, computerized central environmental control system.
• Troubleshoots, diagnoses, repairs, replaces and evaluates the system and subsystems, and components through use of the computer, flow diagrams, wiring diagrams, electrical and electronic schematics, manufacturer's technical manuals, and a variety of test instruments, including, but not limited to: multimeters, ammeters, smoke testers, barometers, differential pressure cells, balometers and psychrometers.
• Analyzes and diagnoses the precise cause of electronic subsystems and programming procedures of HVAC equipment failures in order to complete correct repairs.
• Operates, adjusts, maintains and repairs a number of very complex variable speed drive units, involving detailed electronic circuitry and power transistor work that must be interfaced to the energy management system.
• Repairs, overhauls, adjusts, installs and maintains a variety of large heating, air conditioning, ventilation, and refrigeration systems and equipment.
• Installs and makes repairs to window and rooftop units for heating and air conditioning, using gas, heat pumps, electric power sources, and package type units using remote and local controls, both by hardwire and computer control.
• Services large units, up to 1200 ton centrifugal or helical screw chillers in a multi-chiller operation, air handling units, fan coils, variable volume boxes, constant volume boxes, radiant heat panels, steam and hot water converters, pumps, compressors, radiators, coils and the associated pneumatic, electronic, electrical, and computer controlled actuating devices.
• Installs various types of thermostats, water controls and regulators, and electrical controls on research lab deep freezers (including cascade types), walk-in coolers, and exhaust hoods.
• Designs, fabricates, and installs a variety of duct work made from various materials for air conditioning, heating and ventilation applications
• Installs, maintains, repairs, services and disinfects a variety of ice machines.
• Responsible for ordering materials by following acquisition policies to identify, research and solicit quotes for requested complex components, equipment, parts and materials.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 2:00pm to 10:30pm
Position Description Title/PD#: Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic/PD00368A

Physical Requirements: : The duties require considerable movement around the hospital and involve bending, lifting, work from ladders, both in and outside the building, and crawling through restrictive areas. The incumbent must occasionally lift equipment or materials weighing fifty pounds or more with proper equipment. Assignments may require him/her to stand, stoop, kneel, climb and work in tiring and uncomfortable positions. He/she is standing or walking much of the time and must be in good overall physical condition. Physical capability to regularly walk long distances, dexterity and accurate eye-hand coordination, and corrected 20/20 vision and accurate color perception are required.

Work Conditions: Most work is performed inside, but the mechanic is frequently subject to sudden temperature changes when working on equipment such as walk-in freezer units. The mechanic is occasionally subject to cuts, burns, electrical shock, and respiratory aggravation. Exposure to repeated, prolonged or concentrated amounts of refrigerant gases may cause toxic effects to the eyes, skin, and internal organs. The mechanic may also be exposed to high voltage, dust, chemicals, solvents, and contagious disease. The mechanic is occasionally required to work outside, on top of tall buildings, in drafty attic spaces, and in cramped, confined areas with low overheads. Uncomfortable face masks and protective clothing may occasionally be worn as necessary when there is a possibility of exposure to hazards such as toxic refrigerants. The mechanic works on larger, more complex systems with large quantities of refrigerants, thus exposing the mechanic to larger amounts of escaping gases when making emergency repairs. The mechanic is often exposed to dust, grease, and soiling of clothing and skin.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Services Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• 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 dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary 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, 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.

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.

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.