Summary
You will serve as an Air Conditioning Equipment Operator with the Facility Management Service Line of the VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington division.
This position requires universal CFC Certification as defined by the Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Air Act of 1990 and must be obtained within six months of entrance on duty.
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 include but are not limited to the following:
- Incumbent must have a thorough knowledge of high pressure steam generating principles and technology sufficient to operate and maintain fire tube type boiler systems, including the ability to perform water chemistry testing and water chemical treatment.
- Incumbent must have a thorough knowledge of refrigeration and air conditioning principles sufficient to operate and maintain a modern chiller plant.
- Incumbent must have a thorough knowledge of computer systems operation sufficient to operate and program a computerized energy management graphic control system.
- Incumbent must have a thorough working knowledge of mechanical systems and drive units sufficient enough to operate and maintain equipment such as, but not limited to, air compressors, vacuum pumps, chemical feed pumps and filtering systems.
- Incumbent must have a working knowledge of electricity sufficient to identify electrical problems and to operate and reset electrical systems including the operation of emergency generators and main electrical switch gear.
- Incumbent must have sufficient skills and knowledge to troubleshoot problems with mechanical, steam producing, electrical and refrigeration systems in order to maintain the energy plant in a safe and operational condition at all times including taking corrective action to facilitate repairs.
- Incumbent must have sufficient knowledge and ability to read and interpret technical literature, blue prints, schematics and manufacturers data to determine necessary repairs to equipment. Incumbent must be able to write clearly and legibly.
- Incumbent must have a thorough knowledge of water chemical and treatment procedures necessary to maintain proper chemical treatment in cooling towers, boilers, condensers, therapy pool, etc.
- Mental application is a necessity due to complexity of the various equipment and systems. Incumbent must be self motivated and able to use fast, sound judgment in all situations.
- Incumbent must be CFC certified (Universal) by the EPA as per the Clean Air Act of 1990.
- Incumbent is required to work independently on a rotating shift schedule, including weekends and holidays.
- Incumbent is required to answer trouble calls from throughout the facility and determine proper course of action to be taken.
- Incumbent must communicate with personnel from previous shift on status of plant and is required to keep a log of all incidents or occurrences within the plant or reports from other areas of the facility and what corrective actions were taken or recommended.
- Incumbent must maintain the plant in a safe and clean condition at all times and observe safe work practices.
- Incumbent is required to work independently with limited supervision in the day to day operation and maintenance of the plant and to carry out all assignments to completion.
- Incumbent is directly responsible to the Foreman, Operations Section.
Work Schedule: Monday-Saturday, 8-12 hour shifts.
Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Available
Position Description Title/PD#: Air Conditioning Equipment Operator/PD40613A and PD40613-A
Recruitment/Relocation Incentive: Authorized for eligible applicants
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized
Conditions of Employment
- You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
- All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
- You may be required to serve a probationary period
- Subject to background/security investigation
- Pre-employment physical required
- 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.
- 5 CFR ยง 330.502 - General restriction on movement after competitive appointment applies.
- Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit e-verify.gov
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.
PREFERRED EXPERIENCE: Experience in operating, maintaining, and repairing a modern energy plant consisting of boilers, air conditioning/chiller, refrigeration, graphic control and other pertinent equipment, pollution control equipment, air compressors, vacuum producing equipment, pumps, filtering systems, emergency electrical generators, electrical switch gear and associated systems and controls.
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:
- Dexterity and Safety
- Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair
- Interpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading)
- Measuring Instruments
- Operation of Equipment/Machinery
- Technical Practices
- 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:
a. Incumbent makes repairs or adjustments to equipment from ladders, platforms and in cramped or had to reach areas. This requires standing, stooping, bending, climbing, and at times in uncomfortable or tiring positions.
b. Incumbent may be subject to bruises, cuts, burns or other minor injuries.
Working Conditions: Work is performed mostly indoors and, at times, under dirty or greasy conditions. Incumbent may be exposed to foul odors or fumes and uncomfortable heat or cold.
Education
There is no education substitution for this position.
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.
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 Accepted:
- Cover Letter
- DD-214/ Statement of Service
- VA Application 10-2850
- Other (2)
- Other (3)
- Professional Certification
- Resume
- Separation Notice (RIF)
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
Documents Required:
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.
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 09/06/2024 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12126620.
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.
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.
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