About this role
Job SummaryThis position is located at the Richmond VA Medical Center in the Facilities and Engineering Department.
QualificationsTo 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.
Major DutiesThe work for this level Air Conditioning (A/C) Equipment Mechanic involves installing, recognizing the cause of faulty equipment, and repairing, modifying and relocating equipment on various special-purpose air conditioning units and systems that are frequently modified to provide specific and critical climatic conditions in operating rooms, intensive care units, blood labs, sterile processing areas, radiology, nuclear medicine, refrigerated food spaces, laboratories (to include research wet labs, animal research, and direct clinical patient research) and other experimental or test activities. The A/C equipment mechanic modifies and balances various elements of systems that are designed to meet a wide variety of extreme and critical conditions. These conditions require ability to react quickly to changing situations and prioritizing tasks to keep disruption to patient care to a minimum. An example would be when the employee is the only A/C mechanic on duty and numerous HVAC related issues are simultaneously occurring and they must use sound judgment to prioritize work. They must apply greater knowledge and skill than the typical mechanic. The incumbent is expected to be an expert in HVAC design, maintenance, electrical control and programming. Assignments are received with minimal detail and instructions, usually on a project-to-project basis. Judgments and decisions are more frequent and difficult because there are fewer technical guides on the specialized areas of work. In performing the duties of Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic, the incumbent performs control work such as checking, adjusting, and modifying pneumatic, electric and electronic control systems necessary to maintain proper control which requires sound degree of systems design in order to meet the requirements of particular installations. Performs these duties above during the regular administrative workweek and on rotating shifts, as well as being subject to call back for emergency repairs of equipment. Additionally, may be required to operate the Utility Plant on an as needed basis to cover for emergency leave or vacations as well as work in the plant as necessary along with plant operators performing maintenance duties. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 3:30pm - 12am OR Sunday - Thursday, 3:30pm - 12am Position Description Title/PD#: Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic/PD02758A Recruitment/Relocation Incentives: Not Authorized Telework: Not Available Physical Requirement. Daily duties consist of climbing, working in cramped positions and restricted places, and moving and lifting heavy objects and equipment in the repair and installation of A/C and refrigeration systems. Equipment in the areas of work are usually larger and must be maneuvered into and out of specific locations while dismantling and reassembling. Rigging devices, come-a-longs, hoists and pulleys are used in the removal of large compressors, coils, motors, air handlers and condensers. Incumbent in making repairs and installation works from ladders, scaffolding and platforms. Equipment is located in hard-to-reach places and frequently stooping, stretching, bending, and kneeling for long periods is required when making repairs. Working Conditions. Work can be indoors; outside; on top of the tall high rise buildings; in the interstitial spaces which have cramped areas and low overheads; and drafty attic spaces. Incumbent is subject to varying temperature changes such as in walk-in freezers and refrigerators. Incumbent is subject to dusty areas, cuts and bruises, electric shocks, falls from ladders or scaffolding, eye and hand injuries from power driven machines and hand tools, and to communicable diseases while working on nursing units and in laboratories. Incumbent may be subject to escaping gases when working with refrigerants. Refrigerant use happens on a recurring basis when making repairs and upgrades. Uncomfortable face masks and protective clothing may be worn when there is a possibility of exposure to toxic refrigerants which can happen on a recurring basis.RequirementsU.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.