The Air Conditioning Mechanic serves within the Facilities Management Service at the Wilkes Barre VA Medical Center and Out Patient Clinics. This position has a Critical Skill Incentive (CSI) which was created under the PACT Act that is aimed to give the VA greater flexibility to compete with private sector pay and incentive practices when employees possess a high demand or shortage skill. Individuals selected for this position will receive an incentive upon employment.

Duties

Perform maintenance, air balance, calibrate, install, troubleshoot faulty equipment, repair faulty equipment, modify, and relocate equipment and systems. Equipment and systems consist primarily of special-purpose air conditioning units and systems that are frequently monitored, specifically designed, and modified to provide precise and critical climatic conditions in the Medical Center to protect from infections and other risks in critical care areas such as: Laboratories; Sterile Storage Rooms; Sterile Processing department; Storage; Operating Rooms; Negative Pressure Rooms; Airborne Isolation Rooms; Cath Labs; Morgue; and Experimental Research Laboratories. The Mechanic works without supervision to repair, install, modify, and/or balance various elements that are designed to meet a wide variety of extreme and critical conditions. The work performed is done using independent judgement and expertise as there are few to no technical guides available resulting in the need to make frequent technically difficult judgements and decisions. The Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic must have the skills and knowledge to research applicable technical standards and codes to ascertain the proper application of room air changes, relative room pressures, air filter requirements, duct sizing, fan capacities, and so forth. The Mechanic is required to perform the above work on existing Medical Center HVACR equipment which includes: Chillers; Cooling Towers; Pumps; Fan Coil Units; Air Handlers; Exhaust Fans; Negative Pressure Units; Airborne Isolation Fans; Laboratory Hoods; Air Compressors; Humidifiers; Ice Machines; Water Fountains; Refrigerators; Walk in Coolers; Morgue Cooler; Reach in Coolers; Medicine Refrigerators; Laboratory Refrigerators; Condensing Units; Blood Bank Refrigerators; Plasma Refrigerators; Nutrition Refrigerators; Freezers; Walk in Freezers; Reach in Freezers; Laboratory Freezers; Medicine Freezers; Ultra Low Freezers; Blood Bank Freezers; Plasma Freezers; Blast Chillers; Rooftop Package Units; Ductless Mini Split Systems; Vestibule Heaters; Energy Recovery Units; Motor Control Centers; and Emergency Motor Control Centers. The Mechanic must maintain, program, repair, and operate all related Controls, Automation, Electrical, Mechanical, and other associated Equipment required for operation of the HVAC System including: Computer Based Building Automation System (BAS) (Metasys); Direct Digital Controls; Variable Frequency Drives (DDC); Variable Air Volume Boxes(VAV); Reheat Coils; Actuators; Dampers; Valves; Radiant Heat Panels; Pressure Sensors; Humidity and Temperature Sensors; Pneumatic Controls; Air Flow Stations; Air Filtration Systems; Chilled Water Systems; Heating Hot Water Systems; Heat Recovery Systems; DX Controllers; Network Supervisory Controllers (NAE). Work Schedule: Varies work schedules available (Subject to change based on the needs of the facility). Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday; 8:00am - 4:30pm Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday; 4:00pm - 12:00pm Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday; 12:00am - 8:00am Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday; 8:00am - 4:30pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday; 4:00pm - 12:00pm Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday, Monday; 12:00am - 8:00am Critical Skill Incentive (CSI): Authorized Position Description Title/PD#: Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic/PD01149A Physical Requirements: Muscular Effort and foot, leg, eye, hand and arm coordination are required for using tools and making repairs on equipment while working in awkward positions in cramped, dark, and elevated environments. Normal daily physical effort requires:1. Lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling up to 50lbs individually2. Lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling of more than 50lbs with assistance from others3. Frequent climbing and balancing4. Significant stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling Working Conditions: The Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic works inside and outside for extended periods in cramped, dark, damp, hot, cold, dusty, noisy, and dangerous conditions including on roof tops during periods of inclement weather, in interstitial spaces, walk in coolers, inside large air conditioning equipment, and mechanic rooms, etc. The incumbent works around multiple sources of dangerous energy such as live electricity, running motors, hydraulic systems, springs, moving pulleys, spinning fans, and steam. The incumbent works around and is sometimes exposed to multiple hazardous materials including liquid and gas refrigerant, lubricating oil, pathogens, asbestos, and cleaning solvents. As a result, the mechanic is required at times to wear proper protective personnel equipment (PPE) including Arc Flash rated suits, eye protection, respirators, Tyvek Suits, hard hats, and steel toed boots to complete assigned tasks and prevent injuries from cuts, burns, electrical shocks, and respiratory ailments.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
• Subject to a background/suitability investigation
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• May serve a probationary period
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

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. Selective Placement Factor (SPF): This position requires a current Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) CERTIFICATION - In accordance with 40 CFR Part 82, Subpart F, EPA, people working in this type of position must have and maintain proper EPA Certifications for working with refrigerants. You must have these EPA Certification Universal in order to meet the requirements of this position. 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: Equipment Assembly, Installation, RepairInterpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading)Technical PracticesUse 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.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Contacts

• Address Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center 1111 East End Boulevard Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711 US
• Name: Lisa Newton
• Phone: (610) 384-7711
• Email: [email protected]