Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic

Summary

This position is located at the Wilmington VA Medical Center and is under the direct supervision of the HVAC Supervisor. As an Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic, the incumbent operates, maintains, installs, modifies, and repairs all facets of Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration work.

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Duties

Major Duties includes, but is not limited to:

• The central chiller and air conditioning plant, various other chilled-water and direct-exchange packaged air handling units, digital control systems, and all associated auxiliary equipment (pumps, motors, actuators, etc.). Total environmental packaged systems, such as the main computer and telephone buildings are operated and maintained year-round. Several air handlers provide heating, cooling, humidity, and dehumidification with reheat and heat recovery systems. Particular attention is paid to indoor air quality with different requirements for specific air changes and various percentages of outdoor air.
• Critical areas, such as isolation rooms, operating rooms, Sterile Processing, and intensive care required specialized and comprehensive care. Air exchanges and positive/negative pressures are maintained with precise instrumentation for measuring and adjusting air flows with an alarm system monitoring same. Incumbent must be capable of installing, adjusting, calibrating, replacing, and repairing this type of instrumentation.
• Operates, maintains, and repairs HVAC Building Automation Systems. These systems include various primary and secondary controllers located all over campus. Incumbent must be capable of programming changes and repairs via writing code and logic functions, installing and checking analog and digital inputs/outputs, setting up parameters and following data file charts. This includes calibration of many sensors and alarm set points. Daily monitoring of the various systems is performed.
• The central HVAC plants require the testing and treating of various waters. A comprehensive water testing and treatment program for microbial and biological forms is performed daily.
• Operates both centralized and decentralized, multiple zone HVAC systems; monitors gauges, documents accurate written logs daily (and hourly, if necessary), records pertinent data concerning various systems on pressures, temperatures, etc.; starts and stops HVAC system as needed to maintain a comfort level while utilizing energy conservation. Incumbent must be capable of safely operating all equipment manually when issues prevent automatic operation.
• Performs troubleshooting, installation, repair, predictive/preventive maintenance on various equipment such as, but not limited to, pneumatic and digital controls, pumps, fans, motors, dampers, actuators, C.A.V. and V.A.V. terminal boxes, air compressors, air driers, regulators, thermostats, humidistats, sensors, valves, humidity devices, filters, ductwork, compressors and other refrigeration parts, chillers, split A/C systems, and smaller boilers. All work is performed in accordance with ASRAE, ASA, federal, state and local standards and codes.
• Performs troubleshooting, installation, repair, predictive/preventive maintenance on various industrial/commercial/residential equipment such as, but not limited to, refrigerators, freezers, ice-making machines, air driers, split A/C systems, window A/C units, water fountains/bottle-fillers, beverage dispensing machines, and refrigerated display cases.
• Properly uses and maintains recover/recycling equipment on all refrigeration systems in compliance with SPA, Section 608 of the Clean Air Act.
  
  

Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 7:30 a.m. - 4:00p.m.

Position Description Title/PD#: Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic/PD01908A

Physical Requirements: The work involves walking, standing, bending, climbing or crawling, and is often performed in tiring positions. Work also involves carrying and lifting of equipment, parts, and tools. Some work is required from a ladder or scaffolding.

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
• Subject to a background/suitability investigation
• 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. 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.
  
  

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.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer (TJO). Please visit the Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP), va.gov/EMPLOYEE/docs/The-Fair-Chance-to-Compete-Act.pdf for more information.

VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.

The following will be communicated to applicants for VA employment in a testing designated position and will also be included in all VA vacancy announcements for such positions: All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drugs use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.

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.

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