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Summary The Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic position is a full performance level position located at the VA San Diego Healthcare System, VA Medical Center (VAMC) in the Engineering Service, Equipment Shop. The primary purpose of the position is to service and repair air conditioning, HVAC systems and provide for a variety of refrigeration and air conditioning functions. Responsibilities The Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic performs maintenance and repair on a wide variety of systems that provide heating, cooling, humidification, and all controls that function in concert with climate conditioning at this facility. The work requires knowledge of principles of air conditioning, HVAC Systems, and the skill to install, recognize the cause of faulty equipment and repair commercial and industrial systems that provide for a variety of refrigeration and air conditioning functions. Major Duties include but are not limited to the following: The employee performs maintenance and repair on a variety of critical hospital equipment and systems that achieve required climatic conditions. The employee installs, recognizes the cause of faulty equipment and makes repair on commercial and industrial refrigeration and air conditioning systems that provide a variety of functions (i.e., heating, cooling, humidifying, dehumidifying, cleaning, filtering, and circulating) and uses a variety of methods of air conditioning (mechanical and vapor compression and absorption). Maintains, installs, and repairs a variety of refrigeration equipment and systems such as ultra low freezers, walk-in and reach-in refrigerators and freezers, domestic refrigerators, x-ray developing refrigeration machines, deep freezers, ice cream boxes, water coolers, ice machines, centrifuges, cascade systems, cryostat, incubators, blood banks, direct expansion evaporator coils, compressors, condensers, chilled water systems, etc. Maintains systems by checking performance, diagnosing problems, and making necessary repairs or adjustments or by replacing defective parts. Changes and cleans filters in air conditioning and ventilation equipment. Troubleshoots entire air conditioning systems. Repairs or replaces fans, pumps, thermostats, humidistats, motors, compressors, valves, gauges, pneumatic and electric controls, filters, and other related elements. Tests systems for leaks and proper/safe operations. Installs refrigeration and air conditioning systems by positioning compressors, motors, condensers, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, evaporators, heaters, and other components in accordance with design specifications. Installs and connects auxiliary control mechanisms and piping or tubing. Starts unit and adjusts it for proper cut-in and cutout of refrigerating units, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, heaters, air cleaners, pneumatic air dryers and circulating pumps. Adjusts system for optimum performance. Troubleshoots, maintains pneumatic/electronic controls that are related to the heating or cooling system. Reads and interprets mechanical blueprints, specifications and technical instructions to complete installation of equipment, repair specialized equipment, and make general repairs. Exposure to asbestos will occur, house cleaning and small abatement of asbestos is required during normal work assignments. Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 6:00am-2:30pm Position Description Title/PD#: Air Cond Equip Mechanic/PD11058A Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Subject to background/security investigation Pre-employment physical required Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver’s licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period or trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 06/08/2026. 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 potential eligibles are then rated against the remainder of the Job Elements: Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading) Materials 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: Lifting usually not exceeding 50 pounds unassisted and 100 pounds or more with assistance. Uses lifting devices or obtains assistance in moving heavy items. Works from ladders, scaffolding and/or platforms where systems are in hard to reach places, requiring employee to work in close quarters or in cramped positions. Work requires hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity to manipulate tools when assembling units and replacing defective components, coordination for reading and setting gauges, checking refrigerant leaks, and adjusting controls, and color discrimination to recognize color codes. Work frequently requires stooping, stretching, bending, and kneeling for long periods of time. Working Conditions: Works indoors and outdoors, on elevated structures, and in cramped areas. Subject to discomfort from face masks and/or other protective devices when there is a possibility of exposure to asbestos, toxic refrigerants, noxious gases, fumes or acids. Employee is exposed to the dangers of moving equipment, energized electric circuits, sharp metal edges, and toxic fumes while performing the duties of the position. Exposure to electrical conductors, moving objects, sharp edges, etc., may occur along with danger to cuts, burns, and respiratory ailments. Incumbent will be required to wear respirators and must be physically able to perform assigned work tasks as described above and operate safety equipment. Pulmonary function test (PFT), Chest x-ray (XR), Completion of Personal History Questionnaire (Q), Physical Evaluation conducted by Physician (PE), is required prior to start and then annually. Typical safety equipment required by the trade are safety shoes, safety glasses, respirators, protective clothing and hard hats. Education Additional Information This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant’s criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
