Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic

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.

Serves as a maintenance mechanic in the Maintenance and Operations (M&O) section within the Engineering Services, at the Marion VAMC. Duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Maintains, repairs, installs and modifies complex air conditioning , heating and ventilation (HVAC) equipment and systems.
• Repairing, troubleshooting, maintaining, and installing air conditioning equipment in the hospital and ancillary buildings
• Knowledge of the various components of the HVAC systems so that problems can be identified and repaired
• Installing, troubleshooting, repairing, and maintaining refrigerators, freezers, and ice machines, including those utilized for patient food and drugs, laboratory specimens, and blood products
• Performs daily, weekly, and monthly inspections and checks of equipment to prevent or lessen any breakdowns/costly repairs that would upset the daily routine of the hospital
• Performs troubleshooting of HVAC systems, refrigerant systems, chilled water systems, hydronic heating systems, etc., and performs brazing and soldering of copper piping materials for refrigeration piping, coil repairs, etc., and repairs of other alloyed materials
• Operating and repairing all aspects of the environmental control system to include adding and removing points in the system, building graphics, modifying, and troubleshooting programming, 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
• Checks elements such as those with control internal pressures, temperatures of cooling units and running time of various machines. Visually checks leaks and performs an audible examination of equipment. Installs heavy roof-mounted units or ceiling units
• Selects tools, equipment, instruments, and/or materials to be used in completing assigned tasks
• Fabricates duct work, using proper tools and equipment common to the air conditioning/refrigeration trade
• Inspecting, monitoring, repairing, and maintaining air conditioning units throughout a large facility
• Ability to diagnose, troubleshoot and determine necessary repairs such as valves, compressors, motors, bearings, etc.
• Inspect, test, and repair a wide variety of air conditioning systems including all appurtenances
• Start, stop, and visually inspect major air handler units, chillers and circulating pumps. Perform quality assurance follow up inspections after major repair and overhauls to assure excellence in workmanship
• Work as a Journeyman Maintenance Mechanic; therefore, must have general knowledge of the standard practices, materials and processes associated with the various trades of plumbing, locksmith, HVAC, and electrical systems
• Ensure inspections are in compliance with contractors and conforms to engineering policies and technical manufacturers specifications
• Respond to and resolve emergency situations from equipment failures, fires, weather, chemical spills, elevator malfunctions, utility interruptions and imminent hazards to staff, patients, or property
• Utilize knowledge and skill of the standard practices, materials, and processes associated with the HVAC trade including guides, policies, local codes, and hospital policies, along with OSHA and EPA mandates in order to assemble/disassemble and repair motors, transformers, and control panels.
• Read and interpret blueprints, technical specifications, wiring diagrams, and manufacturers handbooks
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:00am to 3:30pm
Position Description Title/PD#: Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic/PD050540
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 evaluation 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)
• This position requires a current valid Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved CFC Universal Certification for the purpose of recovering, reclaiming, and recycling refrigerants. This is in accordance with the 1990 Clean Air Act.

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, 07/06/2026.

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 elements, 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 (mobile equipment operations)
• Materials
• 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: May be required to bend, reach and hold awkward positions for prolonged periods. Frequently works from ladders, platforms, scaffolds, and cramped spaces. Considerable climbing, walking and stooping is also required for this position. Frequently lifts, carries, and/or moves objects 45lbs. and over either alone or with others.

Works indoors and outdoors, in all weather conditions, and is exposed to the usual occupational hazards. Required to work in close, extremely hot or cold places and around high voltage electricity. Must work in noisy, dusty and humid places

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.

Documents Required:

• Resume
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved CFCC Universal Certification

Documents Accepted:

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• CV / Resume
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved CFC Universal Certification.
• PCS Orders
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

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.

Next steps