Air Conditioning Equipment Operator

Summary Position serves at the Salem Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Facility Management Service, Salem, Virginia. Work includes major and minor repairs, modifying programming, performing preventative maintenance, and acting as a first responder to emergency situations and repairs. Duties **Please be advised this occupation is currently undergoing a classification consistency review that may result in a change in title, series, and/or grade if determined by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). A consistency review is required for this position as a result of an OPM appeal related to the occupation. A "consistency review" is the process that involves a classification review of positions performing work that is identical, similar, or related to an OPM appeal to ensure they are classified consistently and in accordance with OPM standards. If a reduction in grade occurs, you could be eligible for grade and/or pay retention.** Major Duties and Responsibilities Read and interpret work orders, specifications, technical literature and blueprints for installations, modifications and trouble shooting. Operate, control, monitor and modify set points and devices using the "Trane Summit" computer system. Maintain, install, troubleshoot different types of refrigeration, air conditioning equipment along with electric and pneumatic controls for offices, conference rooms, pharmacy, labs, test areas, X-ray rooms, operating rooms, computer rooms, walk-in coolers and chiller plant. Ensure operational effectiveness, repairs, modifying and relocating equipment on various special-purpose air conditioning and refrigeration systems that require close tolerance temperatures and humidity. Maintain, install, troubleshoot, re-design, modify, and repair different manufacturers' types of "DX" systems along with chilled water systems such as low and high velocity air handling units, variable air volume systems, packaged A/C systems, mini split systems, chilled water coils, reheat and preheat type coils, steam, water and infrared humidifiers, compressors, motors, dampers, motor actuators, air diffusers along with pneumatic and electric control systems. Knowledge of all pumps and peripheral components of the chilled water, hot water and steam piping systems, often with little or no supervision. Experience in operating a centrifugal air conditioning plant, safely and efficiently. Knowledge of the operating principles of steam in order to regularly open, close, and control steam weather vanes which heat buildings by supplying steam to pressure reducing valves serving radiators in the buildings. Compressed Tour: 7:00am - 7:00pm. Must have the ability to work weekends and Holidays. Position Description Title/PD#: AC Equipment Operator/17960 Physical Requirements: Operate heavy equipment, including standing, climbing ladders and kneeling while performing work. Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. Requirements Conditions of employment You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job Subject to a background/suitability investigation May serve a probationary period Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc. 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 dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. 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 potential eligibles are then rated against the remainder of the Job Elements: Customer Service (Clerical/Technical) Decision Making Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair Industrial Equipment Operation Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading) Physical Strength and Agility 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. Education This job does not have an education qualification requirement. Additional information Please be advised this occupation is currently undergoing a classification consistency review that may result in a change in title, series, and/or grade if determined by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). A consistency review is required for this position as a result of an OPM appeal related to the occupation. A "consistency review" is the process that involves a classification review of positions performing work that is identical, similar, or related to an OPM appeal to ensure they are classified consistently and in accordance with OPM standards. If a reduction in grade occurs, you could be eligible for grade and/or pay retention. 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 (TJO). Please visit the Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP), va.gov/EMPLOYEE/docs/The-Fair-Chance-to-Compete-Act.pdf for more 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 an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. 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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.