Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic

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.

• Major
  
  Duties & Responsibilities Calculates airflow and the pressure-temperature characteristics for different systems; locates and repairs faulty equipment swiftly in order to reduce inoperative time to a minimum; locates trouble before dismantling, and makes repairs which insure proper functioning after assembly. Performs complex repairs such as installing and fitting connecting rods, crank shafts, piston rings, bearings, and bushings; overhauling valves by adjusting or replacing gaskets, springs, floats, diaphragms, valve fittings, seals, and couplings;
  
  and aligning 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 for 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:
  
  Full Time Monday through Friday 11:00pm to 7:30am Position Description Title/PD#:
  Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic/PD00448A
  
  Physical Requirements:
  
  Work is performed indoors and outside in all types of weather. Often times 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.

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. Selective Services Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. 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://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).).

Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL  cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary 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, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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…