Summary This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel in the DoD workforce to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service. Responsibilities Duties include, but are not limited to: Install, maintain, and repairs a wide range of commercial and industrial air conditioning equipment in a variety of environments including barracks, administration areas, medical facilities and arms rooms. Troubleshoot, and repairs a variety of heating equipment including gas- and oil-fueled boilers, heat pumps, steam, and medium and high temperature converters. Requires knowledge of large commercial and industrial air conditioning equipment, the refrigerant cycle, circuits and controls. Install and repair pumps. Performs preventative maintenance. Drives various vehicles to transport self, supplies, and other employees throughout the installation and on public roads Work Schedule: 7:30am - 4:00pm, Monday - Friday Position Description Title/PD#: Air Cond Equip Mechanic/PD063310 Requirements Conditions of Employment Appointment to this position is subject to a background investigation to determine your suitability for Federal employment. Incumbent must possess and maintain Universal (types I, II, and III) Certification as required by 40 CFR Part 82, Subpart F. The duties of this position require the incumbent to possess or obtain and maintain a valid state Driver's License in one of the 50 U.S. states or possessions to operate vehicles. This position has been designated "Mission Essential". In the event of severe weather conditions or other such emergency type situations the incumbent is required to report to work or remain at work as scheduled to support mission operations. This position requires the completion of a pre-employment Physical Examination and an annual examination thereafter. Appointment to this position is subject to a one year probationary period unless the appointee has previously met the requirements as described in 5 CFR Part 315 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. 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 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. Related experience includes 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. Other experience you will be evaluated on: Fabricates duct work for modifications, installation and/or repair of air conditioning duct systems. Installs and maintains heating, ventilation, air condition and refrigeration (HVAC/R) equipment and/or components (i.e. freezers, centrifuges, refrigerated incubators, tubing, valves, fittings and casting). Plans, prepares, and installs all types of HVAC/R and exhaust systems. Make mechanical checks on various pieces of equipment such as proper temperature, unusual noises, loose connections, etc. Maintains current inventory of parts, hardware, refrigerant, and other products need to accomplish completion of work assignments. Performs maintenance on fixtures, control panels, tightening connections, wrapping exposed wiring, installing new outlets, relays and switches. Utilizes basic math and simple fractions to plan and measure material according to requirements and instructions. Utilizes schematics, blueprints, sketches, technical manuals, oral and written instructions while conforming to safe efficient working practices. Completes work assignments that are made through written and oral instructions, work orders and preventive maintenance print-out schedules. Assembles and/or installs a variety of HVAC/R equipment per manufacturer's specifications. Interprets instructions, specifications and blueprints while examining and performing operational tests to determine repairs. Makes mechanical repairs to such items as pumps, compressors, chillers, receivers and evaporators. Performs such tasks as installing and fitting connecting rods, bearings and bushings. Uses precision tools and equipment, such as volt-ohm meters, amp meters, leak detectors, calibration equipment and other test equipment used in the refrigeration trade. Calibrates and sets up transmitters, thermostats, and other pneumatic electric controls. Charges systems with proper refrigerants to obtain optimum operating temperatures. Uses charging gauges and charging cylinders to maintain HVAC equipment. Properly reclaims and disposes of all types of refrigerant. Applies principles and theories of air conditioning and refrigeration such as the refrigeration cycle, heat transfer laws, the use of refrigerant table. Makes bench performance checks and calibrations to assure that each control segment will be operational as installed. Troubleshoots and repairs malfunctions to large complex air conditioning systems. Evaluates equipment to repair or replace minor/major components. 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. The potential eligible are then rated against the remainder of the Job Elements: Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair Inspect Instruct Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading) Lead or Supervise Materials Production Support Service Technical Practices Troubleshooting Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment 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. Physical Requirements/Working Conditions: Work requires good coordination and good physical condition. Required to walk, stand, stoop, bend, kneel, climb, crawl and work in uncomfortable positions and to pull, push, reach over the should and lift supplies and/or equipment weighing up 50 pounds. Hoists, holders, and pulleys are operated when removing units such as large compressors, condensers, and chillers. Typically makes repairs and installations from ladders, scaffolding and platforms where the parts of systems worked on are frequently in hard-to-reach places; therefore, stooping, stretching, bending, and kneeling are frequently for long periods of time. Must have rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, good hearing, depth perception and the ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors. Glasses are permitted. Education Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this position, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted. Additional Information 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 to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.