The Primary Purpose of the Position is: to serve as an Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic. The mission includes continuous operations of a hospital, clinics, extended care units, nursing home care units, kitchens, canteen service, and administrative areas.

Duties

Systems and equipment use several methods of air conditioning such as mechanical compression, direct expansion systems and chilled water systems using central chilling units. There are central air-conditioning plants including station-chilled water plant totals 5803.5 tons and 2495.5 tons, 508.5 tons and 328.5 tons of package and window units, 16 cold storage vaults with individual compressors, and numerous other refrigeration compressors and equipment for chilled water and ice supply, including commercial and residential types totaling an additional 300 tons of refrigeration. Duties include, but are not limited to: Requesting materials, parts, equipment, and chemicals for plants and unit maintenance and operation Planning for alterations, repairs Maintenance of all operating equipment Observing and making necessary changes for the best efficiency of maintenance and repairs and operations Conserving manpower, utilities, and supplies. The work regularly involves dismantling, repairing, and reassembling complete units such as pumps, impellers, compressors, chillers, receivers, and evaporators. Repair work involves overhauling valves by adjusting or replacing gaskets, springs, floats, diaphragms, valve fittings, seals, and coupling; and aligning motors and flywheel drives. On spring start-up all strainers must be removed and cleaned, drain valves closed, towers flushed and cleaned, towers filled and treated, bearings lubricated, belts checked and replaced as necessary, dampers properly positioned, control air compressor checked for proper operation, and all thermostats set for the designated temperature. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Position Description Title/PD#: Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic/PD07937A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/04/2023. 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. Examples for experience/duties and task are but not limited to: responding to after-hours emergency calls from the Boiler Plant; plans test procedures, determines the proper kind and type of parts and equipment needed, installs and repairs a variety of systems with little to no check during process of the assignment; responding to calls for non-scheduled service which involves diagnostics and repair of commercial equipment with little or no supervision; maintains, installs, repairs and replaces pneumatic and DDC control system components; uses program, and change operational systems software; works with a variety of hand tools, gages, electric and battery powered tools along with mechanical, hydraulic and electric lifts. Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Federal Wage System Qualification Standards. SCREEN-OUT ELEMENT: Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision. 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: Equipment Assembly, Installation, RepairInterpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading)MaterialsTechnical PracticesTroubleshootingUse and Maintain Tools and EquipmentWithout 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: Physical Effort: Incumbent makes repairs and installations from ladders, scaffolding, and platforms where the parts of systems worked on are frequently in hard to reach places. He is required to stoop, bend, stretch, kneel, and work in tiring and uncomfortable positions for rather long periods of time. He frequently carries and sets up parts and equipment that weigh up to 100 pounds. Hoists, holders, and pulleys are operating when removing units such as large compressors, condensers, and chillers. Incumbent must be able to wear a respirator when required. Working Conditions: Systems and equipment are located in many different buildings having functional activities and usage and provide for a variety of air-conditioning functions such as heating, cooling, humidifying, cleaning, filtering, and circulation. Areas include dental and x-ray facilities, laboratory, surgical suite, morgue, pharmacy, ward patient area, and administrative office. Incumbent is occasionally required to work outside on top of tall buildings, in drafty attic spaces, in cold and freezer vaults, and in cramped areas with low overheads. Uncomfortable face masks and protective clothing may be worn occasionally when there is a possibility of exposure to toxic refrigerants. Incumbent is subject to escaping gases when making emergency repairs.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Contacts

• Address VA Central Texas Health Care System 1901 Veterans Memorial Drive Temple, TX 76504 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]