Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic

Veterans Health Administration • Waco, TX

9d • Onsite

About The Position

The Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic mission includes continuous operations of a hospital, clinics, extended care units, nursing home care units, kitchens, canteen service, and administrative areas. The position is located in the Maintenance and Operations Section in Engineering Service in Waco, Texas. Duties Major duties include but not limited to: 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. Requesting materials, parts, equipment, and chemicals for plants and unit maintenance and operation; planning for alterations, repairs, and maintenance of all operating equipment; observing and making necessary changes for the best efficiency of maintenance and repairs and operations; and conserving manpower, utilities, and supplies. Utilizing the proper method of recovering refrigerant and daily checks of operation of the chillers, chiller water pumps, condensing water pumps, tower fans and motors, thermostats, and control air compressors. Tests and treats the chilled water and the condensate water to prevent scale and corrosion. Inspects the daily chemical analysis of condenser water and other treated water for accuracy and effectiveness of treatment. 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. For fall shut-down, all equipment must be lubricated, worn parts must be replaced, and seasonal maintenance must be performed as necessary; systems must be evaluated, changed, and tested as necessary. Maintains continuous operation and performs maintenance and repairs on various types of air conditioning and refrigeration by recognizing the cause of equipment malfunctions or faulty equipment and making the proper adjustments or needed repairs. Plans, selects, and orders material for service and repair work. Works from drawings, schematics, blueprints, work orders, and verbal instructions to perform assigned tasks. Answers calls for non-scheduled service which involves diagnosis and repair of commercial equipment with little or no supervision. Identifies abnormal function of equipment and control sequences and takes necessary action to correct problems. Maintains, installs, repairs, and replaces pneumatic and direct digital control (DDC) systems. Operates the campus-wide building automation system (BAS), currently the HVAC control systems. Uses computers, work stations, and hand-held interface devices to monitor, program, and change operational systems software as required. Incumbent monitors campus BAS throughout the day and makes necessary changes without work orders or supervisory instruction to prevent problems. Uses the ideology of "continuous commissioning" to ensure buildings are up to standards in order to prevent emergency calls. Incumbent responds to after work emergency calls from the Boiler Plant.

Requirements

• 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.
• The position requires a current Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved Universal Certification. This is in accordance with Section 608 of the Clean Air Act.
• 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
• U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
• Urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment (for testing designated positions).
• Selective Services Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Completion of an online onboarding process.
• Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements.
• 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 (Effective May 7, 2025).
• Completion of all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
• Accepting this position requires a 1-year probationary period.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted.

Nice To Haves

• ICTAP and CTAP eligible displaced VA competitive service employees must be well-qualified, possessing 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.

Responsibilities

• Continuous operations of a hospital, clinics, extended care units, nursing home care units, kitchens, canteen service, and administrative areas.
• Requesting materials, parts, equipment, and chemicals for plants and unit maintenance and operation.
• Planning for alterations, repairs, and 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.
• Utilizing the proper method of recovering refrigerant and daily checks of operation of the chillers, chiller water pumps, condensing water pumps, tower fans and motors, thermostats, and control air compressors.
• Testing and treating the chilled water and the condensate water to prevent scale and corrosion.
• Inspecting the daily chemical analysis of condenser water and other treated water for accuracy and effectiveness of treatment.
• Dismantling, repairing, and reassembling complete units such as pumps, impellers, compressors, chillers, receivers, and evaporators.
• Overhauling valves by adjusting or replacing gaskets, springs, floats, diaphragms, valve fittings, seals, and coupling.
• Aligning motors and flywheel drives.
• Performing spring start-up procedures including cleaning strainers, flushing and cleaning towers, lubricating bearings, checking and replacing belts, positioning dampers, checking control air compressors, and setting thermostats.
• Performing fall shut-down procedures including lubricating equipment, replacing worn parts, performing seasonal maintenance, and evaluating, changing, and testing systems.
• Maintaining continuous operation and performing maintenance and repairs on various types of air conditioning and refrigeration by recognizing the cause of equipment malfunctions or faulty equipment and making the proper adjustments or needed repairs.
• Planning, selecting, and ordering material for service and repair work.
• Working from drawings, schematics, blueprints, work orders, and verbal instructions to perform assigned tasks.
• Answering calls for non-scheduled service which involves diagnosis and repair of commercial equipment with little or no supervision.
• Identifying abnormal function of equipment and control sequences and taking necessary action to correct problems.
• Maintaining, installing, repairing, and replacing pneumatic and direct digital control (DDC) systems.
• Operating the campus-wide building automation system (BAS), currently the HVAC control systems.
• Using computers, work stations, and hand-held interface devices to monitor, program, and change operational systems software as required.
• Monitoring campus BAS throughout the day and making necessary changes without work orders or supervisory instruction to prevent problems.
• Using the ideology of "continuous commissioning" to ensure buildings are up to standards in order to prevent emergency calls.
• Responding to after work emergency calls from the Boiler Plant.

Benefits

• A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.
• As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
• Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed