Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic Job in Tucson, AZ

Vacancy No. CBSX-12700650-25-EU Department Veterans Health Administration
Salary $30.18 to $35.15 Grade 10 to 10
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 2/26/2025 Close Date 3/5/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Tucson, AZ


Summary

The position is at the VA Southern Arizona Healthcare System in the Engineering Service, Maintenance and Operations Section, Operations Group, Heating Ventilation & Air Conditioning Shop. The primary purpose of the position is to serve the under the supervision of the Operations Supervisor, which duties include the functioning of the air conditioning, HVAC systems and provides for a variety of refrigeration and air conditioning functions.

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. If you are a current internal to agency employee, we encourage you to apply using this announcement CBSX-12700651-25-EU.

Duties

Duties include but are not limited to:

  • Performs maintenance and repair on a wide variety of systems that provide heating, cooling, humidification, and all controls that function in concert with climate conditioning at this facility.
  • Install, recognize the cause of faulty equipment, and repair commercial and industrial systems that provide for a variety of refrigeration and air conditioning functions (i.e., heating, cooling, humidifying, dehumidifying, cleaning, filtering, and circulating) and uses a variety of methods of air conditioning (mechanical and vapor compression and absorption).
  • Performs maintenance and repair on a variety of critical hospital equipment and systems that achieve required climatic conditions.
  • Maintains, installs, repairs refrigeration, DDC, BAS, and air conditioning systems located in such areas as warehouses, hospital, and large office buildings and complexes.
  • Maintains, installs, and repairs a variety of refrigeration equipment and systems such as ultra low freezers, walk-in and reach-in refrigerators and freezers, domestic refrigerators, x-ray developing refrigeration machines, deep freezers, ice cream boxes, water coolers, ice machines, centrifuges, cascade systems, cryostat, incubators, blood banks, direct expansion evaporator coils, compressors, condensers, chilled water systems, etc.
  • Maintains systems by checking performance, diagnosing problems, and making necessary repairs or adjustments or by replacing defective parts.
  • May work alone to locate and check elements such as those which control low side and high side pressure, temperature of the cooling units, pressure and temperature of the liquid and suction lines, and the running time of the various mechanisms.
  • Changes and cleans filters in air conditioning and ventilation equipment.
  • Troubleshoots entire systems.
  • Repairs or replaces fans, pumps, thermostats, humidistats, motors, compressors, valves, gauges, pneumatic and electric controls, filters, and other related elements.
  • Tests systems for leaks and proper/safe operations.
  • Installs refrigeration and air conditioning systems by positioning compressors, motors, condensers, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, evaporators, heaters, and other components in accordance with design specifications. Installs and connects auxiliary control mechanisms and piping or tubing.
  • Responds immediately to service connections, makes splices, insulates exposed wires, and cleans and lubricates moving parts.
  • Maintains logs relating to equipment, nature of repair, preventive maintenance frequency schedules, etc.
  • Read and interprets mechanical blueprints, specifications and technical instructions to complete installation of equipment, repair specialized equipment, and make general repairs.
Preferred Experience: At least 4 years of commercial air conditioning equipment mechanic experience and have their EPA universal refrigerant certification. Must have experience with industrial equipment such as complex refrigeration systems (1 to 750 tons), hydronic loops, air handler units, VAV boxes, variable frequency drive, EMCS, DCC, control system, pneumatics, electrical and electronic actuators, control valves and dampers. Incumbent shall have experience working on ice machines, refrigerators and low temperature refrigeration equipment.

Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Position Description Title/PD#: Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic/PD10983A
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Physical Requirements: Light Lifting, usually not exceeding 50 lbs. work requires kneeling, crouching, stooping, bending, climbing ladders, reaching in inaccessible areas and standing for extended periods. Some eye hazard is present in working around control devices. Normal dexterity, eyesight and hearing required. Possible hazards from electrical shock, burns, moving machinery and obstacles in inaccessible areas. Danger from refrigerant gasses and toxic fumes and eye hazard during brazing and gasses control air. Exposed to extreme weather, hot, cold and wind, outside and inside work. Exposed to cold from Walk-In freezer. Work in dusty, dirty, slippery and greasy areas.

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

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. 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.

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 (Schedule A)
  • Disability Letter (VA)
  • License
  • Valid EPA Universal Refrigeration Certification
  • Resume
  • Separation Notice (RIF)
  • SF-15
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

Documents Required:
  • Valid EPA Universal Refrigeration Certification
  • 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.

Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

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 03/05/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12700650.

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

Edgar Uriarte
Address
Tucson VA Medical Center
3601 South Sixth Avenue
Tucson, AZ 85723
US

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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