Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic Job in Des Moines, IA

Vacancy No. CBSY-12585110-25-EA Department Veterans Health Administration
Salary $29.17 to $34.04 Grade 10 to 10
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 10/24/2024 Close Date 11/1/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Des Moines, IA


Summary

This position serves as an Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic within the Engineering Department at the VA Medical Center in Des Moines, IA. The incumbent is responsible for maintaining, repairing, installing, and modifying complex air conditioning, heating, and ventilating (HVAC) equipment and systems.

This job is open to

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

Duties for this position include but are not limited to the following:

  • Performs all Journeyman level necessary repairs, preventative maintenance and installation of all HVAC items, heating equipment, refrigeration equipment, food service equipment, laundry equipment and other specialty equipment within the Medical Center and support buildings.
  • Perform Journeyman level trouble shooting of HVAC systems, refrigerant systems, chilled water systems, hydronic heating systems, etc.
  • Perform Journeyman level brazing and soldering of copper piping materials for refrigeration piping, coil repairs, etc., and repairs of other alloyed materials.
  • must be licensed in the maintenance practices of adding refrigerant and removal of refrigerant for refrigeration systems to. include, but not limited to, the following refrigerants: R-22, 407C, MP39, 410A, 401A, 401B, 404A, 402A, R-416A, etc. Incumbent must understand and be able maintain different refrigerant oil levels in a system. Incumbent will be responsible for maintaining a refrigerant log per VA standards and requirements.
  • Repairing, troubleshooting, maintaining and installing air conditioning equipment in the hospital and ancillary buildings.
  • Installing, troubleshooting, repairing and maintaining refrigerators, freezers and ice machines, including those utilized for patient food and drugs, laboratory specimens and blood products.
  • Operating and repairing all aspects of the environmental control system to include adding and removing points in the system, building graphics, modifying and troubleshooting programing, repairing and replacing sensors, actuators and other control devices, and repairing and replacing LAN devices such as terminal equipment controllers.
  • Troubleshooting, diagnosing and making repairs to a large variety of equipment and systems that provide a variety of air-conditioning functions, such as heating, cooling, humidification, dehumidification and air cleaning, filtering and circulating.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 0630-1500
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description Title/PD#: Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic/PD30217A
Recruitment/Relocation Incentive: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required
Bargaining Unit Status: Yes, AFGE
Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.
Working Conditions: Usually works inside but is occasionally required to work outside on top of tall buildings during periods of inclement weather, in drafty attic spaces, and in cramped areas with low overheads. Uncomfortable facemasks and protective clothing may be occasionally worn when there is a possibility of exposure to hazards, such as toxic refrigerants when making emergency repairs. Mechanic is subject to cuts, burns, electrical shocks, and respiratory ailments. Exposure is concentrated amounts of refrigerants gases may cause toxic effects to eyes, skin, and internal origins.

The VA Central Iowa Health Care System provides a full continuum of care between the Des Moines campus and our Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) and is one of the Medical Centers that make up the VA Midwest Health Care Network (VISN 23). Employee selected may be expected to perform duties at other duty sites within VA Central Iowa Health Care System based on the needs of the organization.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
  • Subject to a background/suitability investigation
  • 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
  • Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
  • Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

EPA CERTIFICATION: In accordance with 40 CFR Part 82, Subpart F, EPA, people working in this type of position must have and maintain proper EPA Certifications for working with refrigerants. You must have these EPA Certification Types I, II and III in order to meet the requirements of this position.

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. 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.

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.

Benefits

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.

Review our 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.

Required Documents

Documents Accepted:

  • Cover Letter
  • DD-214/ Statement of Service
  • Disability Letter (VA)
  • Performance Appraisal
  • Resume
  • Separation Notice (RIF)
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

Documents Required:
  • Resume

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.

How to Apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online.

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 11/01/2024 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12585110.

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. To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.

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.

Agency contact information

Erica Aleman
Address
VA Central Iowa Health Care System
3600 30th St
Des Moines, IA 50310
US
Learn more about this agency

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.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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