Clarification from the agency

This job is open to CTAP, ICTAP, RPL, Current Federal Employees, Individuals with disabilities, Land and Base Management employees, and Veterans.

As an Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic (ACEM-WG), the incumbent will independently perform the HVAC duties of an Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic for the medical center.

Major Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Incumbent will independently perform troubleshooting, repairs, preventive maintenance and calibration on a variety of air conditioning, refrigeration, and heating equipment, such as but not limited to: (3) 650 ton packaged air cooled reciprocating chillers, (48) air handling units which includes heating coils, cooling coils, and all piping and components (i.e. steam traps, strainers, control valves) from the gate valve inlet to the gate valve outlet on the discharge side of the coil; a 250 ton cooling tower that provides the entire medical center with cooling capability.
• Will independently calibrate, test, and adjust all electronic and pneumatic controls associated with temperature and humidity.
• Incumbent independently tests, calibrates, repairs, and replaces component parts of the control system, such as thermostats, humidistats, transmitters, controllers, sub-controllers, relay switches, valves, and damper motors to accomplish necessary repairs.
• Will ensure that needed plans, blueprints, materials, and tools are all available and that needed stock, tools, or equipment is obtained from supply locations.
• Must have the knowledge, experience, and ability to operate and repair air conditioning systems, plumbing, pumps, compressors, steam systems, small/medium size electrical/automotive motors, and basic electrical generating equipment and distribution systems.
• Performs all phases of operation of air conditioning, which include but are not limited to starting, operating, adjusting, securing and performing operational maintenance and repairs to air conditioning plants and all associated auxiliary systems and equipment.
• Must have a complete and thorough knowledge of the air conditioning and steam systems.
• Will be required to start, operate, stop, perform operational repairs and maintenance to all air conditioning equipment and associated systems, such as chilled water circulating pumps, air handling units, humidity control systems, and chemical feed pumps. Incumbent will adjust air conditioning controls to ensure systems operate at peak efficiency ensuring cooling, heating and humidity requirements are maintained within established limits.
• Using established VA guidelines, test all safety equipment, including but not limited to, high and low temperature controls and cutouts, flow limiting devices, control air system, chiller start up interlocks, high and low water cut-outs, safety valves, and high and low pressure cut outs.
• Must have a complete and thorough knowledge of plumbing systems and make corrective actions to ensure continued plumbing service to HVAC systems are functioning properly.
• Will troubleshoot, repair, install, and test 480V and below equipment and devices. Reset tripped circuit breakers at 480V and below, electrically troubleshoot and repair electronic issues, complex programming metrics, UV light testing, and perform safety checks on newly received equipment and components
• Incumbent may be assigned to other duties as deemed necessary by the supervisor.

Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Position Description Title/PD#: Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic/PD20211A
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Pre-employment physical required
• 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.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial 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 or trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 12/19/2025.

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.

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions: Incumbent must exert moderate to arduous physical effort involving walking, standing, bending, sitting, squatting, stooping, lifting, kneeling, working overhead, and crawling. Incumbent is required to work on platforms, scaffolds, ladders, aerial lifts, and roofs, and is required to climb onto these structures carrying and lifting materials, tools, and equipment. Incumbent must be able to climb ladders and scaffolding and operate bucket truck and forklift. Incumbent must be able to lift loads of up to eighty (80) lbs. Frequently, work will be performed in cramped and awkward positions, including crawlspaces. Also, work is performed on interior and exterior of buildings. Work performed is of a precise nature requiring prolonged concentration. Incumbent works at times under conditions of extreme stress and must be able to interact effectively with medical staff and perform work in a calm analytical manner.

Incumbent works around and with hazardous mechanical and electrical equipment with the potential for serious injury and/or death. Physical agility and dexterity are required while working around equipment. Incumbent works in close quarters and cramped positions, in service rooms, subbasement areas and other areas with marginal ventilation. Work is performed in engineering and shop areas, laboratories, offices, and many types of patient areas. Incumbent will sometimes be required to work in environments where the hazards of asbestos, burns, exposure to chemicals, radiation, and contagious diseases exist and will be exposed to various elements of weather when working outside. Outdoor work also includes the risk of wasp and hornet stings when working around awnings, as well as other insects and animals. The noise level is sometimes high to the point of requiring ear plugs to prevent permanent damage to hearing. Other protective devices such as goggles, masks and gloves may be needed periodically. Work performed by maintenance mechanics leaves the incumbent subject to cuts, bruises, burns, and falls, in addition to the hazards associated with mechanical and electrical equipment. Incumbent must know and follow procedures for working in areas of infection, radiation, and use all appropriate safety tools, clothing, etc., to protect himself/herself, other staff, patients and visitors.

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.

Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• Other (1)
• PCS Orders
• Professional Certification
• Proof of Marriage Status
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Time in Grade and/or Eligibility):

• Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee
• An SF-50 showing your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade
• Award 50's do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted for the purpose of verifying time-in-grade.
• Examples of appropriate SF-50's include:
  • Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or
  • Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or
  • SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

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