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.

Incumbent is the system administrator, programmer, installer and troubleshooting mechanic for the medical centers centralized environmental monitoring and control systems (EMCS). This is a journeyman level electrical position.

Incumbent applies a complete, comprehensive knowledge of the operations, operational maintenance and repair program of a high-pressure steam-generating plant on a continual basis (e.g., multi-fuel fired power boilers, all boiler safety devices, all associated auxiliary equipment, pollution control equipment, piping systems, control systems, burner management systems with interlocks, water treatment, and fuel systems).

The incumbent must have the ability to install, program and maintain the Direct Digital Control (DDC) system of the Medical Center. This position supports the medical centers project team by installing DDC, HVAC equipment and high voltage components such as motor starters, motors and variable speed drives Must understand where various components fit into the system and at what levels. Must be able to interpret building blueprints, shop drawings and do shop math required for piping layouts. Must be able to calibrate, repair and maintain such equipment as feed water level regulators; reducing valves; draft motors; linkage levers and rods. Must be knowledgeable in principles and theories of air conditioning and refrigeration, such as; heat transfer laws, refrigeration cycles, pressure temperature relationships, etc., to determine where the above mentioned systems are failing and how to effect corrective action. Must be able to use psychometric charts. Must be skilled and knowledgeable in balancing the very complex heating, ventilating, air conditioning and smoke control systems using computer control and, where necessary, making manual adjustments.

Incumbent installs maintains and repairs 480 volt motors, variable frequency drives, motor start component's as well as transformers. Programs and maintains 214 Variable frequency drives.

The incumbent is responsible to modify and balance and pressure cascades for 15 operating rooms, 2 level 3 biological safety laboratories (BSL3), 61 Level 2 Biological safety laboratories, 3 animal research facilities, a large nuclear medicine suites, 16 Patient Isolation rooms, 2 sterile processing facilities, 3 dental facilities, and numerous other space typically found in a large modern hospital. The incumbent is responsible for record keeping and proof of compliance to numerous auditing agencies.

The incumbent leads the HVAC mechanics in the maintenance of 23 walk-in cold boxes and freezers, as well as a walk-in incubator.

The incumbent is responsible for leading the maintenance and controls for the Portland Central Chiller Plant which has 4 650 ton central chillers as well as smaller chillers and plate and frame heat exchangers attached.

The incumbent leads the Energy Section which is the first responders to all emergencies in the VAPORHCS. The energy section receives initial calls and dispatches/responds to fire, flooding, hazmat spills, equipment failure. The section maintains all applicable response protocols and has reporting responsibility for all adverse events, etc.

Work Schedule: Monday to Friday; 6:00 am - 3:30 pm PST
Position Description Title/PD#: Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic Leader/PD21280-A
???????Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
• Must possess a current/valid EPA Universal Certification.
• Selective Services Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• 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.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary 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, 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,02/18/2026.

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 element. 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 ability to do the work of an Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic Leader without more than normal supervision in performing the full range of air conditioning and refrigeration equipment repair. Related experience includes perform and document preventive maintenance and safety inspections on instruments and devices; install low voltage circuits from control panels to dampers, valves, sensors, thermostats and other typical end devices found in building automation systems; working as a journeyman in the installation, operation, repair and maintenance of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment; knowledgeable in the principles and theories of air conditioning, refrigeration and heat transfer; able to select, maintain and safely use the tools, measuring equipment, testing devices and instruments related to the heating, ventilation, air condition and refrigeration (HVAC/R) trade; install, maintain and repair 480-volt motors, variable frequency drives, motor start components and transformers; able to read from blue prints and diagrams when performing tasks. Note: 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.

Certification Requirement (Screen-Out): In accordance with Section 608 of the Clean Air Act, this position requires a current Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved Universal Certification. Applicants who do not meet this requirement are ineligible for further consideration.

The potential eligibles are then rated against the remainder of the Job Elements:

• Ability to Do the Work of the Position without More Than Normal Supervision
• 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.

Physical Requirements: Position requires infrequent lifting of up to 50 lbs. Although there is frequent walking, stooping and bending involved in the work, it is not constant. Uses ladders frequently in hard to reach places, stooping, stretching, bending and kneeling are frequently for longer periods of time.

Working Conditions: The incumbent will be called onto work day, swing and graveyard shifts so workload may be accomplished. There is constant exposure to caustic chemicals, hot metal surfaces, extremely environmentally adverse conditions and the danger of scalding liquids and steam. While most of the hazards are contained or protective equipment is available, there are occasions of extreme exposure (such as cleaning interior boiler surfaces) when contamination cannot be totally eliminated.

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.

RESUME REMINDER: Your resume must include the following information each job listed:

• Job title;
• Duties (be as detailed as possible);
• Month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008);
• Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week);
• Salary/Rank etc.;
• Series and Grade, if applicable, for all Federal positions you have held;
• References, current or recent supervisor.

Do not include the following types of information in your resume:

• Classified or Government sensitive information
• Social Security Number (SSN)
• Photos of yourself
• Personal information, such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.

Please be aware that your answers will be verified against information provided on your resume. Be sure that your resume clearly supports your responses to all of the questions by addressing your work experience in detail.

Recommended: Even though we do not require a specific resume format, your resume must be clear so that we are able to fully evaluate your qualifications. To ensure you receive appropriate consideration, please list the duties you performed under each individual job title. If we are unable to match your experiences with the positions held, you may lose consideration for this vacancy. We cannot make assumptions regarding your qualifications.

Documents Required:

• Professional Certification
• Resume

Documents Accepted:

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Other (1)
• 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