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Summary The Air Conditioning Equipment Operator in this position serves independently as a journeyman Air Conditioning Equipment Operator in the Facilities Management Service Line, Engineering Section, Preventative Maintenance (PM) Shop at the Michael E DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center (MEDVAMC). The incumbent performs duties of a broad scope to include preventive maintenance, air conditioning, refrigeration, heating, ventilation, humidification, and air monitoring using electronic controls. Responsibilities Major Duties: Monitor the chilled water supply temperature, chilled water return temperature, and the chiller load in KW through the Graphic Control Center. Identify malfunctioning monitoring signals, traces minor circuits, and makes interruptions to reactivate circuit signals and/or switch systems to manual operations. Maintain and repair the pneumatic air conditioning control. Monitor intrusion alarms, air handlers, exhaust fans, diesel powered generators, walk-in boxes, tower fans, fire pumps, booster pumps, control air compressors, medical air compressors, heat exchangers and refrigerant compressors to ensure load requirements are consistently met. Calibrate and set up transmitters, thermostats, and other related pneumatic controls. Perform preventive maintenance on equipment, conducts required inspections, troubleshoots all air handling units, and air conditioning systems, checks steam humidifiers, and electric controls on a regular basis. Perform annual, quarterly, monthly and weekly preventive maintenance on all HVAC systems. Operate a Graphic Control Center (CBBAS), controlling the temperature and humidity of designated areas throughout the facility from one central location. Use tools and power equipment known to the refrigeration and air conditioning trade, such as refrigerant, electronic lead detectors and gauges, halide torches, volt-meters, psychrometers and charts, static pressure and charging gauges, instruments, vacuum pumps, oxyacetylene brazing equipment, wrenches, ratchets, flaring tools, lever tub bender, tubing cutter vibration analyzer, manometers, tachometers, etc. Read and interpret technical directives, drawings, sketches, mechanical diagrams, flow diagrams, and electrical schematics to visualize all phases of the work to be performed. Receives guidance from service and parts manuals issued by various manufacturers describing assemblies, components, and part replacements. Conduct mechanical checks of the chiller plants, water pumps, cooling towers and chemical feed systems by logging hourly gauge readings and conducting walk-through visual inspections to insure proper chiller plant operation. Apply knowledge of codes and safety regulations pertaining to the air conditioning/ refrigeration field and adheres strictly to all such regulations. Monitor the fire alarm signal panel. Perform alignment of a motor shaft to the pump within .005 to under .00 plus. Measure line voltage to a various air conditioning units. Measure compressor amperage. Works from ladders, scaffolding and /or platforms where systems are in hard-to-reach places. Keep track of inventory, tools, and equipment assigned, safeguarding such material from loss or theft and assuring continuous accountability of such. Select proper replacement parts and modification kits and identifies materials and mechanisms. Work Schedule: Tuesday- Saturday, 7:30am - 4:00pm & 3:30 pm - Midnight; subject to change based on the needs of the facility. Position Description Title/PD#: Air Conditioning Equipment Operator/PD03285A Requirements Conditions of Employment 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 All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. 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://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. 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. 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: Ability to Do the Work of the Position without More Than Normal Supervision Dexterity and Safety Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair Interpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading) Measuring Instruments Operation of Equipment/Machinery Technical Practices 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. Preferred Experience: 3-5 years experience in working in plant operations and building automation systems. Working with many other trades like carpenters, maintenance mechanics, electricians, utility systems operators, plumbers, electronic industrial control mechanics, and others. Physical Requirements/Working Conditions: Heavy lifting (45 pounds and over), moderate lifting (15-44 pounds), moderate carrying (15-44 pounds), pulling hand over hand (2 hours), pushing (2 hours), use of fingers, both hands required, walking (8 hours), standing (8 hours), crawling (8 hours), kneeling (3 hours), repeated bending (2 hours), climbing, legs only (2 hours), climbing, use of legs and arms, both legs required, operation of crane, truck, tractor, or motor vehicle, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, both eyes required, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors, ability to distinguish shades of colors, hearing (aid may be permitted), hearing without aid. Environmental Factors-outside and inside, excessive heat, excessive cold, excessive humidity, excessive dampness or chilling, dry atmosphere conditions, excessive noise (intermittent), constant noise, dust, silica, asbestos, etc., fumes, smoke, or gases, solvents (degreasing agents), grease and oils, radiant energy, electrical energy, slippery or uneven walking surfaces, working around machinery with moving parts, working around moving objects or vehicles, working on ladders or scaffolding, working below ground, unusual fatigue factors (odd weather events), working with hands in water, vibration, working closely with others, working alone and protracted or irregular hours of work. Education Additional Information 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. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities. 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.