Air Conditioning Equipment Operator

Summary

The incumbent in this position serves independently as a journeyman Air Conditioning Equipment Operator in the Facilities Management Service Line (FMSL), 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.

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Overview

• Accepting applications

• Open & closing dates

04/23/2024 to 05/01/2024

• Salary

$30.61 - $35.77 per hour

• Pay scale & grade

WG 10

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Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

• Houston, TX 1 vacancy

• Remote job

No

• Telework eligible

No

• Travel Required

Not required

• Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

• Appointment type

Permanent -

• Work schedule

Full-time -

• Service

Competitive

• Promotion potential

None

• Job family (Series)

5415 Air Conditioning Equipment Operating

• Supervisory status

No

• Security clearance

Not Required

• Drug test

No

• Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

• Trust determination process

Credentialing

Suitability/Fitness

• Announcement number

CBST-12392137-24-AR

• Control number

787993800

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This job is open to

• Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.

• The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency

ALL US CITIZENS DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.201) for this occupation.

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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, walkin 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: Sunday-Thursday 12:00am-8:30am (Subject to change based on the needs of the Agency.)

Position Description Title/PD#: Air Conditioning Equipment Operator/PD03285A

Physical Requirements: 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

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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

• Driver's License is required.

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.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

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.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

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.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

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• Benefits

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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 window

Learn more about federal benefits.

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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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Applicants will be referred in the order in which they were received.