To evaluate candidates who meet the minimum qualifications for this skilled trades position, the selecting official may conduct a Practical Job Interview / Hands-On Skills Assessment.
In accordance with OPM guidance for skilled trades and craft positions, a practical interview may be used to assess proficiency in the critical competencies of this position. This is not a formal test, but a demonstration of your ability to perform representative job tasks.
Candidates who are referred and selected for an interview may be asked to demonstrate, verbally explain, or physically perform tasks such as the duties below.
Major duties include, but are not limited to the following:
Perform installation, troubleshooting, repair, and preventive maintenance on HVAC/R systems ranging from ¼-ton to 1500-ton capacity, including hermetic reciprocating units and centrifugal chillers. Service and repair air- and water-cooled chillers, walk-in coolers, freezers, refrigerators, VFDs, ice machines, pumps, induction units, fan coil units, make-up air units, mini-split systems, heat-recovery units, window units, and air handling units. Troubleshoot and repair electric, steam, and hot-water reheat systems, including control sequencing, actuators, valves, and temperature control issues. Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair electric humidification systems, including water feed components, canisters, steam piping, and BAS control integration.
Conduct refrigerant diagnostics by evaluating superheat, subcooling, metering devices, restrictions, and overall system performance. Charge refrigeration systems using manufacturer specifications, P-T relationships, and EPA-approved recovery and charging procedures. Perform brazing and soldering on copper refrigerant, hot-water heating, and chilled-water piping systems, ensuring proper purge, flow, and joint integrity.
Troubleshoot and maintain VRF systems including branch selector boxes, refrigerant manifolds, multi-zone controls, electronic expansion valves, and integrated communication networks.
Operate and service data-center HVAC systems (CRAC/CRAH units, cooling loops, humidity control, containment) to ensure redundancy and environmental stability. Respond to Temp Track monitoring alerts across pharmacy, laboratory, surgery, sterile storage, nutrition, and research environments; replace sensors, calibrate devices, and verify environmental compliance.
Perform airflow measurements, air-exchange verification, and directional-pressure testing for AIIRs, protective environments, clean rooms, and operating rooms. Use balometer, anemometers, and differential pressure instruments to verify compliance with ASHRAE, CDC, USP 797/800, and VA ventilation standards.
Install, calibrate, and troubleshoot electronic and pneumatic controls and BAS-managed field devices (sensors, actuators, transducers, relays, VFD interfaces).
- Support BAS programming including graphics creation, adding/removing points, scheduling, alarm parameter editing, loop tuning, trend logs, and communication-network troubleshooting.
- Ensure BAS tuning and optimization support VA energy management and cybersecurity requirements.
Chiller Overhaul & Specialized Diagnostics
- Overhaul centrifugal chillers including compressor teardown, thrust bearing replacement, seals, wear rings, and guide vanes.
- Diagnose and repair chiller control panels, safety circuits, starter systems, VFDs, electronic expansion systems, economizers, purge units, oil-return systems, and condenser/evaporator issues.
- Perform chiller startup, shutdown, calibration, purge operations, oil sampling, and tube cleaning per manufacturer and VA standards.
- Complete, update, and close work orders in CMMS with accurate documentation of work performed, labor hours, parts used, findings, and required follow-up.
- Maintain a valid state driver's license and EPA Universal Refrigerant Certification.
- Perform all work in compliance with VA safety, environmental, energy management, and HVAC/R standards.
- Perform other tasks as assigned to support Engineering Service operations.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:00 am to 3:30 pm
Position Description Title/PD#: Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic/PD10498A
Physical Requirements: The incumbent may be required to bend, reach and hold awkward positions for prolonged periods. Frequently works from ladders platforms, high places and cramped spaces. Considerable climbing, walking, and stooping is also required for this position. Frequently lifts and moves objects up to 50 lbs. and occasionally lifts and carries objects over 50 lbs. either alone or with others.
- 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
- 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 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.
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:
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Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair
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Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading)
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Materials
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Technical Practices
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Troubleshooting
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Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
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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.
Working Conditions: The work is usually done both indoors and outdoors and is often dirty, dusty and greasy. The incumbent is subject to work in all types of weather and in work areas that may be hot, noisy, and close quartered. The incumbent is frequently exposed to the possibility of strains, cuts, scrapes, bruises, electrical shock and burns, and is occasionally exposed to the possibility of broken bones. Incumbent follows prescribed safety practices and uses safety equipment such as ear protection, hard hats, safety toe shoes, gloves, respirator, and protective clothing, as appropriate/required. Incumbent is required to dress appropriately to the task assigned using government-furnished uniforms and clothing and use all required PPE at all times.
This job does not have an education qualification requirement.
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.
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.
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.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
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.
Documents Required:
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Universal EPA certification
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Resume
Documents Accepted:
- Cover Letter
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DD-214/ Statement of Service
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Disability Letter (VA)
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License
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Universal EPA certification
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Professional Certification
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Resume
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Separation Notice (RIF)
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SF-15
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SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
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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.
