- Position Title
- Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic
- Agency
- Veterans Health Administration
- Announcement Number
- CBSV-12740170-25-SW Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Thursday, May 22, 2025 to Friday, June 6, 2025
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1.
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from the agency hiring for this position? If yes, confirm:
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
- you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
- you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
- your grade is equivalent to or below the grade level of the vacancy; AND,
- your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
2.
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a federal agency other than the Department of Veterans Affairs? If yes, confirm:
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
- you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
- you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
- you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
- your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
Preferences
1.
Which of the following items describes your current or recent (within the last five years) political appointee service?
If you responded yes to any of the items below, you will need to include a SF-50 specifying your prior service.
If you responded yes to any of the items below, you will need to include a SF-50 specifying your prior service.
Your resume must be submitted in English and include the following information for 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)
- Series and Grade, if applicable, for all Federal positions you have held
- 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.
By submitting your application, you are certifying, to the best of your knowledge and belief, all the information submitted by you with your application for employment is true, complete, and made in good faith, and that you have truthfully and accurately represented your work experience, knowledge, skills, abilities and education (degrees, accomplishments, etc.). The information you provide as part of your application may be investigated. You are also certifying, and acknowledging, that misrepresenting your experience or education, or providing false or fraudulent information in, or with your application, may affect your eligibility for appointment and/or continued employment. False or fraudulent statements may be punishable by fine or imprisonment (18 U.S.C. 1001).
2.
I authorize my application information being shared with hiring managers for similar positions. I understand this option may not result in further consideration for additional positions nor will it impact my application for this announcement.
Assessment 1
Select the appropriate answer to each of the following questions based on your current level of education and/or experience that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of this position. When answering the questionnaire, remember that your experience and education are subject to verification by investigation. You may be asked to provide specific examples or documentation of experience or education as proof to support your answers, or you may be required to verify a response by a practical demonstration of your claimed ability to perform a task.
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
1.
Selective Placement Factor:
EPA CERTIFICATION: In accordance with E.P.A 40 CFR Part 82, employees working in this position must have and maintain proper EPA Certifications for working with refrigerants. You must have and submit a universal EPA Certification in order to meet the requirements of this position.
Do you possess a universal EPA Certification? Certificate Required.
EPA CERTIFICATION: In accordance with E.P.A 40 CFR Part 82, employees working in this position must have and maintain proper EPA Certifications for working with refrigerants. You must have and submit a universal EPA Certification in order to meet the requirements of this position.
Do you possess a universal EPA Certification? Certificate Required.
For each technical area below, select the response that most accurately describes your current level of experience and demonstrated capability.
2.
Screen Out: I have the ability to do the work of an Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic without more than normal supervision in performing the full range of air conditioning and refrigeration equipment repair? Duties include but are not limited to: 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; repair, replace install, and test various HVAC/R equipment and/or systems; able to read from blue prints and diagrams when performing tasks. 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. 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.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
3.
Familiar with 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.
4.
Able to inspect, adjust and repair all boiler controls, safety devices, instruments, flow meters, feed pumps, condensate pumps, recorders, etc., to ensure safe and efficient plant operation.
5.
Familiar with operating, maintaining, maintaining and repairing an air conditioning plant consisting of centrifugal and reciprocating refrigeration units including cooling towers, related auxiliary equipment, controls, pumps and all other associated equipment.
6.
Performs tests and treatment of chilled water, condenser water and repairs and maintains chemical pumps and controls.
7.
Familiar with operating a graphic control center that monitors and controls remote operating equipment throughout the facility.
8.
Able to do the majority of steam fitting, plumbing, electrical, painting work, etc., for upkeep of the plant.
9.
Familiar with operating, maintaining all air compressing equipment including medical air, control air, refrigerated air drying and filtering equipment and all associated controls and equipment.
10.
Familiar with operating, maintaining all vacuum producing equipment (medical vacuum) including all associated controls.
11.
Familiar with operating, maintaining all pumps such as condensate chill water, domestic water, chemical feed pumps and all associated control mechanisms including filter systems.
12.
Knowledge of plant piping systems, and station distribution system, in order to by-pass equipment or components in order to maintain steam service during unusual conditions.
13.
Perform installations, minor and major repairs of equipment and operate according to VA regulations, ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Codes and Facility policies.
14.
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).
15.
Applies knowledge of the principles and theories of fuel combustion, heat transfer, and steam generation, the structural characteristics of boilers, and mechanical, electromechanical and pneumatic principles to properly operate, adjust, troubleshoot and maintain the equipment and systems
16.
Knowledge of water treatment procedures and analysis using standard test procedures.
17.
Familiar with operating, maintaining and repairing three main fire tube steam producing boilers and all associated controls, cut-outs and safety devices, performs test and treatment of boiler water, condensate, feed and softener.
18.
Able to speak clearly using telephonic and radio communications equipment.
19.
Ability to operate the boiler and chiller plant under normal and emergency conditions in a safe and reasonable manner with little or no immediate supervisory direction.
20.
Skilled in utilizing a wide range of blueprints, schematics, drawings and sketches, in utilizing mathematical functions to calculate and correct flows, pressures and temperatures, calculate equipment and plant performance efficiencies and prepare records and reports utilized to track overall facility energy usage.
21.
Familiar with operating, monitoring emergency electrical generators and control devices.
22.
Must be familiar with operating, monitoring electrical switchgear and control devices.
23.
Familiar with operating, monitoring alarm systems for fire control system, medical gas, elevator, refrigerant, underground storage tank, research climate control, pneumatic tube system and remote temperature tracking.
24.
Working knowledge of boilers and steam systems, air conditioning equipment and chilled water systems, all auxiliary equipment operated, and water treatment programs for the systems maintained and repaired.
25.
Knowledge of standard practices and codes associated with boiler and chiller plant operations.
26.
Ability to read, write, speak and interpret the English language and transform those interpretations into actions required for equipment operations and repair.
Resume Reminder - Your resume must include the following information for each job listed:
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.
- 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)
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.