Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic

Summary

This Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic position is part of the Facility Management Service Line (FMS) at the VA Connecticut Healthcare System - located in West Haven - CT. This position performs a wide range of work; installing and recognizing the cause of faulty refrigeration and air conditioning equipment and making repairs on large systems that provide for a variety of air conditioning functions such as heating – cooling – humidifying – dehumidifying – cleaning – filtering – and circulating.

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 online 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, Ameri Corps) and other organizations (professional, philanthropic, religious, 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.

A full year of work is considered 35-40 hours 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.

• Calculates airflow and the pressure‑temperature characteristics for different systems.
• Locates and repairs faulty equipment swiftly to reduce inoperative time to a minimum.
• Locates trouble before dismantling – and makes repairs that ensure proper functioning after assembly.
• Performs complex repairs such as installing and fitting connecting rods, crank shafts, piston rings, bearings, and bushings.
• Overhauls valves by adjusting or replacing gaskets, springs, floats, diaphragms, valve fittings, seals, and couplings.
• Aligns motors and flywheel drives.
• Checks out the refrigeration cycle of a variety of commercial and industrial systems to locate and check elements such as those that control low‑side and high‑side pressure, the temperature of the cooling units, the temperatures of the liquid and suction lines, and the running time of the various mechanisms.
• Examines equipment components visually and audibly for the probability of leaks and performs prescribed test procedures – and explores probable reasons for equipment failure.
• Identifies faulty equipment causes and makes repairs on large systems that provide a variety of air‑conditioning functions such as heating, cooling, humidifying, dehumidifying, cleaning, filtering, and circulating.
• These systems use a variety of methods of air conditioning such as mechanical compression, vapor compression, absorption, and steam jet or air cycle.
• Incumbent performs other duties as assigned to meet common team goals.
• The Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic must be EPA certified “Universal” under section 608 of the Clean Air Act (40 CFR Part 82 – Subpart F).
• Work Schedule:
  
  Monday‑Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.;
  Position Description Title/PD#:
  Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic/PD00448A;
  
  Physical Requirements:
  
  Work is performed indoors and outdoors in all types of weather; often in mechanical rooms and attics that are unconditioned – hot and humid; must be physically fit to work in temperature extremes – on ladders and in uncomfortable positions while installing or repairing equipment.