The primary purpose of the position is to perform a wide range of work involving installing and recognizing the cause of faulty refrigeration, chiller 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. This position reports directly to the Maintenance Supervisor.
To qualify for this position, facility applicants must meet all requirements within 15 days of the closing date of this announcement. Non-facility applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 06/27/2025. *The selectee must be a current EPA Certified Universal Technician. The certification card with your name and certificate number on it, must be attached as a document in your application or you'll be rated ineligible for consideration. 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 Qualification Standard Handbook, X118C, WG-5306 Series, (www.opm.gov/qualifications/x-118c). 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 eligible are then rated against the remainder of the questions. The screen out element for this position is as follows: Ability to do the work of a Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic without more than normal supervision. Your experience must include, but is not limited to basic knowledge of the principles and theories of the refrigeration cycle, temperature measurement, the properties of several refrigerants, and the knowledge of the construction and operation of a variety of domestic units and systems in order to identify malfunctions and make minor refrigeration system tests and adjustments; Knowledge of the refrigeration cycle of a variety of systems to make visual, audible and mechanical checks of air conditioning systems operations; Skill to service power sources by tightening connections, making splices, insulating exposed wires, and cleaning and lubricating moving parts; testing units and systems for proper operation; and replacing items such as belts, fans, and fuses; Ability to replace major portions of various cooling units, such as compressors, condensers, expansion valves, float and service valves, thermostats, coils, and drive assemblies; Ability to dismantle, overhaul, adjust, relocate and/or repair various types and sizes of compressors for refrigeration and air cooling units; purge, charge and remove volatile liquid refrigerants such as Freon; analyze, detect, isolate and correct leaks in refrigeration cycles; overhaul, recondition and test systems to estimate and/or improve performance, efficiency; install or rebuild electric motors for heating, cooling and refrigeration units; install, relocate, and isolate faults and repair condensers and evaporators of air conditioning and refrigeration equipment and systems; maintain and clean all equipment, work, and storage areas; Ability to properly maintain and dispose of Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and Hydrochloroflourocarbons (HCFCs) as outlined in the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulation of the Clean Air Act. 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 Technical Practices Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment 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: The work requires carrying of equipment, tools and testing devices that seldom weigh over 50 pounds. Most of the equipment can be reached from the floor or from ladders. Occasionally, platforms and scaffolding are needed to reach parts of the systems such as fans, electrical and water lines and duct work. The incumbent is required to stoop, stretch, bend, kneel and work in tiring and uncomfortable positions; and make repairs and installations from ladders, scaffolding and platforms where the parts of systems worked on are frequently in hard-to-reach places. Working Conditions: Most of the work is usually performed inside, but the incumbent is frequently subject to sudden temperature changes when working on equipment such as walk-in freezer units. Incumbent is occasionally subjected to cuts, burns, electrical shocks, and respiratory ailments; and exposed to repeated, prolonged or concentrated amounts of refrigerant gases that may cause toxic effects on eyes, skin, and internal organs. There is an occasional requirement to work outside, on top of tall buildings, in drafty attic spaces, and in cramped areas with low overheads.
Major duties: 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. 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. 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. Makes visual, audible and mechanical checks for the proper temperature of conditioned spaces; the proper operation of different parts of the refrigeration cycle; proper oil levels; unusual noises; overheated bearings; loose connections; faulty insulation; frayed or loose belts, gaskets and pulleys; and other similar defects. 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. Conducts tests of air conditioning units and makes straightforward repairs that can be made without specialized equipment. Sets up digital systems controller (DSC) software program for medical center engineering applications, and establishes air sampling intervals and acquire controller gains via DSC step-testing of the HV AC distribution system. HVAC Heating Systems: Installs, calibrates, tests and perform maintenance on pneumatic steam and hot water valves, & circulating hot water pumps. HVAC Humidity Control: Maintains required levels of humidity utilizing both mechanical and automated techniques. Maintains and repairs HVAC cooling towers, heating coils, and chilled water coils. Serves as a technical adviser regarding the operation, effectiveness, maintainability, serviceability, and environmental requirement of equipment, including interrelationships with other equipment and the physical plant. Work Schedule: Full time, Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm Position Description Title/PD#: Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic/PD42311A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized