Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic

Summary

Performs skilled installation, operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of hospital HVAC/R equipment. Work ensures consistent environmental conditions needed to support safe patient care and clinical operations, including temperature, humidity, filtration, and pressurization requirements. Assignments include hospital AHUs/ERUs, chilled-water systems, heating equipment, refrigeration units and building automation controls under the guidance of senior mechanics or engineers.

Duties

Your duties can include but are not limited to the following: Central Plant Equipment Maintenance: Performs skilled work on chillers up to large-tonnage hospital equipment, pumps, cooling towers, heat exchangers, and condenser water systems. Troubleshoots basic refrigerant circuit faults, sensor issues, and component malfunctions. Airside Distribution and Clinical Ventilation Support: Maintains and repairs hospital AHUs and ERUs including filters (HEPA where installed), coils, belts, motors, dampers, and drain systems. Refrigeration and Cold Storage Systems: Installs, maintains, and repairs refrigeration systems including coolers, freezers, ice machines, and water fountains. Performs component-level replacement work such as motors, fans, valves, coils, and compressors under established procedures. Preventive Maintenance, Testing, and Documentation: Conducts routine preventive and predictive maintenance following established schedules and procedures. Performs basic functional tests on HVAC/R systems, documents readings, identifies routine deficiencies, and records corrective actions in Maximo CMMS. Supports commissioning and TAB activities by collecting data, operating equipment during tests, and performing minor adjustments under guidance. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:00am - 3:30PM (Subject to change based on the needs of the agency) Position Description Title/PD#: Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic/PD04853A Physical Efforts: Work requires regular and sustained physical effort including standing, walking, climbing ladders, bending, kneeling, reaching, and working in awkward or confined positions. The mechanic frequently lifts, carries, or positions items such as tools, test instruments, HVAC/R components, motors, belts, coils, and refrigerant cylinders weighing up to 50 pounds, and occasionally more with assistance. Physical exertion occurs throughout the workday and can involve pushing, pulling, and maneuvering heavy or awkward components during installations, adjustments, or repairs. Tasks may require prolonged periods of troubleshooting or testing systems in physically demanding environments such as rooftops or interstitial spaces. Muscular strain can occur due to repetitive work, extended kneeling, climbing, and handling of heavy materials. Working conditions: Work is performed in a variety of hospital environments including mechanical rooms, rooftops, interstitial spaces, laboratories, cold rooms, and occupied patient-care areas. The mechanic is frequently exposed to noise, vibration, heat, cold, chemicals, refrigerants, moving machinery, electrical hazards, and poorly ventilated or confined workspaces. Some work occurs in sensitive clinical environments requiring adherence to infection-control protocols and use of specialized PPE. Work conditions may present risks such as burns, refrigerant exposure, electrical contact, slips, trips, falls, or contact with contaminants. Exposure is regular and may be prolonged depending on the nature of maintenance or repair tasks. The mechanic must use protective equipment such as gloves, safety glasses, respirators, hearing protection, and other gear, and must follow safe trade practices and facility safety procedures (including LOTO and VA/OSHA requirements) to prevent injury and maintain a safe work environment.

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: Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading) Materials Technical Practices Troubleshooting Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment Without more than normal supervision Preferred Experience: EPA 608 Universal License and at least two years experience in HVAC. Be familiar with commercial HVAC equipment and at least one year of experience with refrigeration. 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.