Summary Performs all necessary repairs and preventative maintenance on all HVAC and refrigeration equipment within the Medical Center. Serves as an Operator in the operation of all air conditioning, refrigeration, heating equipment and related components. Responsibilities The duties of the Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic includes but is not limited to: Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Repair & Maintenance Performs preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, and repairs on a wide variety of HVAC equipment, including but not limited to commercial packaged units, chillers, steam systems, and control systems. Performs preventive maintenance on diffusers, induction cabinets, mixing boxes and motorized fire dampers Maintains exhaust fans, fume hood fans, return air fans, and both direct and belt-driving types. Oversees the facility temperature and humidity monitoring alarm system for refrigeration equipment placed in all refrigerators/freezers within the medical center. Works in the layout and fabrication of duct and duct systems from 150 CFM up to 20,615 CFM capacity Monitors refrigeration cycle on a variety of commercial, residential and industrial systems. Locates and checks elements such as those which control low side and high side, temperature of cooling units, temperature of liquid, suction lines, and monitor the running times of various equipment. Installs and repairs various refrigeration equipment to include ice machines, freezers, walk-in coolers, expansion valves, condenser water pumps, chilled water pumps, cooling tower fans and motors, expansion coils and chilled water coils. Utilizes knowledge of all Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) requirements regarding refrigerant usage, service procedures, recovery, and recycling to appropriately recover/recycle refrigerant as required. Initiates and ensures completion of all paperwork, i.e., work orders, preventive maintenance sheets, equipment logs, Freon inventory, water test reports, and new equipment sheets. Tends to service calls, log tours, preventive maintenance inspections, major and minor repairs, balancing of supply and exhaust systems, cleanliness of equipment and spaces, removal of obsolete equipment and the installation of new equipment and systems. Operation & Monitoring Conducts regular tests and adjustments to optimize HVAC system performance and ensure efficient operations. Installs, maintains, and calibrates both electronic and pneumatic controls such as relays, humidistat's, temperature controls, solenoid valves, chiller water valves, steam valves and other components used in conjunction with air conditioning, refrigeration and heating system. Works with voltage from 24V AC and DC to 480V AC and with 1-phase and 3-phase. Installs and services electric motors from 1/6 HP up to 575 HP. Utilizes a wide variety of hand tools, instruments, and test equipment associated with the craft. Maintains records and logs, as required, of water test results, dry and wet bulb temperatures, compressor oil levels and pressure, water temperatures entering and leaving condensers, refrigerant temperatures and levels, humidity and other readings, as necessary, to determine the overall conditions of the buildings and the HVAC equipment. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:00am - 3:30pm Position Description Title/PD#: Air Condition Equipment Mechanic/PD92453A Physical Requirements: Strenuous physical effort is required while dismantling and reassembling equipment. The incumbent frequently carries and sets up parts and equipment that weigh up to 80 pounds. The incumbent must work from ladders, scaffolding, etc., where parts of systems worked on are frequently in hard to reach places. Stooping, stretching, bending, and kneeling are frequently encountered for long periods of time. Hand dexterity is a critical requirement in completing most tasks. Requirements Conditions of 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 ELEMENTS: 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. Applicants must possess a current and unexpired State issued motor vehicle's license. (NOTE: DO NOT submit a copy of your driver's license at this time). Ability to perform the duties of the Position without more than normal supervision (commercial air conditioning and/or refrigeration installation (i.e. ductwork, air handlers, variable frequency drives (VFD), heat exchangers, condensers, walk-in coolers, freezers). (NOTE: You must list your experience on your resume). Applicants must receive a minimum of two points on this screen-out element to be deemed eligible for consideration. SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR. This position includes a Selective Placement Factor (skill, knowledge, ability or other worker characteristic basic to - and essential for - satisfactory performance of the job). Selective Placement Factors are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for a position. Applicants who do not meet it are ineligible for further consideration. Must possess a current and unexpired universal Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) certification. (NOTE: You must submit a copy of your certification) JOB ELEMENTS. The below job elements (skills, knowledge, abilities, and personal characteristics considered necessary for success on the job) are approved by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management for individual occupations as well as for jobs having common requirements. Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading) Materials Technical Practices Troubleshooting Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment 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. Note: Your answers will be verified against the information you provide in your resume or application and information your references provide. If you do not clearly document your experience in your resume, you will be rated ineligible. Working Conditions: Incumbent must be mentally alert and physically capable at all times, as this type of work is very hard and hazardous. The incumbent works both inside and outside of the Medical Center and is required to work in cramped areas with low overheads. The incumbent is subject to exposure from toxic refrigerants. Incumbent will be required to wear personal protective equipment while performing certain tasks. Occasionally required to work in drafty attic spaces and in cramped areas with low overheads. Subject to escaping gases when making emergency repairs. Also works in areas subject to high temperatures, constant noise, rotating machinery, dirt chemicals, oils and fumes. Subject to cuts and abrasions from the use of tools and equipment and burns from acids, caustics, steam, hot water, and contact with boilers. Education 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. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. VA Healthcare System Serving Ohio, Indiana and Michigan (VISN 10) advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. A 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 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.