This position serves as a HVAC equipment mechanic in the Environmental Mechanics Shop under the supervision of the Environmental Mechanics Shop Supervisor, with the second level direction provided by the Maintenance Control Manager.

Duties

Duties include, but are not limited to: Trouble shoots variety of compressors such as gear, reciprocating, centrifugal, or rotary pump. Utilizes the Honeywell Graphic Center and Landis Siemens Apogee Energy Management Computer System. Repairs pressure controls, thermostatic motor controls (remote and double remote), full and semi-automatic defrosting controls, relays, and other controls to protect against overload or overheating. Install, repair, replace and perform preventive maintenance for environmental control systems in all campus buildings. The incumbent installs, repairs and maintains valves, thermostats, sensors, coils, dampers, VAV, CAV, Medical Air Compressors, and other components of pneumatic, electric, and electronic systems controlling the delivery of heat/ hot water and/or air conditioning/chilled water to Medical Center facilities in order to maintain proper environmental temperatures. Starts, stops, and regulates the various items of air handling equipment from the Energy Management Computers, Laptops, or from decentralized switches in equipment rooms. Repairs a variety of air conditioning such as mechanical compression, vapor compression, absorption, and steam jet or air cycle. Trouble shoots cause of faulty equipment, and repairs, modifies and relocates equipment on various special purpose air conditioning units. Instructs others on principles and theories of air conditioning and refrigeration cycles. Performs maintenance such as adding refrigerant, calibrating temperatures sensors, changing filters in air handlers, cleaning strainers, replacing broken or worn belts, lubricating the various compressors, fans, shafts, and moving parts of other operating and standby equipment. Train and instruct others on heat transfer laws, use of refrigerant tables and how to calculate airflow and pressure-temperature characteristics for different systems. Troubleshoot and make field repairs to all component, and/or isolate or bypass the defective component. Installs control valves in building heating and cooling systems, rebuilds valves operated by hydraulic, electric, or pneumatic controllers; removes and replaces damaged or deteriorated packing in valves; and changes and adjusts diaphragms in valve activators. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday (7:00am - 3:30pm) Position Description Title/PD#: Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic/544-10333-A Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 12/08/2023. 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. Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Federal Wage System Qualification Standards. This position includes a Selective Placement Factor (skill, knowledge, ability or other worker characteristic basic to - and essential for - satisfactory performance of the job). Selective Placement Factors are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for a position. Applicants who do not meet it are ineligible for further consideration. The Selective Placement Factor for this position is: Possess a current/valid EPA Universal Certification. Note: You will be required to provide a copy of the certification with application packet. 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: Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision (Screen-Out) Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair, etc. Ability to interpret Instructions, Specification, etc. (include Blueprint reading) Troubleshooting Ability to instruct. 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: The incumbent must be able to tolerate exposure to extreme temperatures ranging from -250 F to 130F, depending on seasonal weather conditions and location of interior/exterior work assignments. The incumbent must be able to tolerate noise levels up to 95 decibels when working in mechanical rooms and other areas and must be able to tolerate exposure to dirt, dust, pollen, and other airborne debris. The incumbent must be able to work in proximity with 440-volt power sources up to eight hours per day. The incumbent must be able to tolerate exposure to dampness, freon and other gasses. Additionally, the incumbent must be able to tolerate exposure to microwaves, fans, blowers, motors, and other mechanical equipment in building mechanical rooms, tunnels, and other locations, and to live steam in mechanical rooms and hydronic heating system pipes. The incumbent must be able to work in close proximity with pipes at 215 F. The work requires carrying of equipment, tools and testing devices that seldom weigh over 50 pounds. Most of the equipment can be reached from the floor or from ladders. Occasionally, platforms and scaffolding are needed to reach parts of the systems such as fans, electrical and water lines, and duct work. The incumbent is required to stoop, stretch, bend, kneel and work in tiring and uncomfortable positions. The incumbent must be able to move a drum-cart carrying a 425 lb. load distances up to 150 feet as often as fifteen times per day in order to access refrigeration units and equipment to be maintained. The incumbent must be able to transport refrigerant reclamation equipment, and associated tanks, gauges, filters, drivers and other components and devices up and down ladders to roof-tops and to lower mechanical rooms. In order to perform the essential functions of the job, the incumbent must be able to wear a tool belt weighing 20lbs at all times while performing all functions. The incumbent must be able to ascend a six-foot (6') step ladder at least 20 times per day to repair, install and/or maintain equipment concealed in ceilings, walls, and self-contained equipment frames, as well as wall mounted units. The incumbent must be able to enter and maneuver in restricted spaces in order to access equipment components and piping. Working Conditions: Most of the work is usually performed inside, but the incumbent is frequently subject to sudden temperature changes when working on equipment such as walk-in freezer units. He/She is occasionally subjected to cuts, burns, electrical shocks, and respiratory ailments; and exposed to repeated, prolonged or concentrated amounts of refrigerant gases that may cause toxic effects on eyes, skin, and internal organs. There is an occasional requirement to work outside on top of tall buildings, in drafty attic spaces, and in cramped areas with low overheads. The incumbent must be able to use wrenches, pipe wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers, torches, and other tools of the trade to install, remove, dismantle, adjust, reassemble and re-install coils, piping, control gauges, valves, thermostats and other control elements and components. The incumbent must be able to work at ground/floor level and/or in restricted spaces up to two hours at a time for the entire length of shift in order to access HVAC control systems and equipment.

Education

No Education Requirement

Contacts

• Address Columbia VA Health Care System 6439 Garners Ferry Road Columbia, SC 29209 US
• Name: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Phone: (844)456-5208
• Email: [email protected]