Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic

About the role

NIST is seeking an A/C Equipment Mechanic to support the safe and reliable operation of complex HVAC systems across campus. You will maintain, troubleshoot, and repair heating and cooling equipment to ensure research laboratories, specialized spaces, and campus buildings maintain the environmental conditions needed to operate efficiently and without interruption.

What you will do

• Operate, monitor, and regulate large, complex, and centralized HVAC systems to maintain desired temperatures, humidity levels, and air quality.
• Perform preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, and repairs on a wide variety of HVAC equipment, including commercial packaged units, chillers, steam systems, boilers, and control systems.
• Analyze system issues and apply troubleshooting techniques to identify and resolve problems quickly and effectively.
• Interpret and work from blueprints, schematics, technical manuals, and specifications to plan and lay out work, determine repair methods, and ensure compliance with applicable codes and standards.
• Conduct regular tests and adjustments to optimize HVAC system performance and ensure the most efficient operation.
• Operate heavy equipment such as snow blowers and plows to clear snow and ice from walkways and parking areas as weather events occur.
• In this position at grade 11, you will: Install, adjust, maintain, and repair complex HVAC systems tailored to the specific environmental requirements of laboratories and research facilities.
• Diagnose and resolve malfunctions in HVAC equipment, including commercial-grade units, chillers, steam systems, and boilers.
• Install various types of ductwork and associated components, such as round, square, rectangular, and spiral ducts, as well as flexible ducts and connections, ensuring proper sealing and airflow.
• Analyze system performance data, interpret diagnostic reports, and implement corrective actions to optimize HVAC system efficiency and reliability.
• Conduct comprehensive tests, adjustments, and precise calibrations on HVAC systems and components, ensuring adherence to industry standards and regulations.
• Utilize building management control systems to diagnose and resolve complex issues, implement modifications, and optimize system performance in response to specific space requirements.
• Safely handle, store, and dispose of refrigerants and other hazardous chemicals following strict safety protocols and environmental regulations.
• Perform preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, and repairs on a wide variety of HVAC equipment, including commercial packaged units, chillers, steam systems, boilers, and control systems.
• Assist with site snow removal during winter operations by operating snow blowers, plows, heavy equipment, and shovels to clear walkways, parking lots, and building entrances outside of normal business hours or as weather events occur.

How you will be evaluated

We will review your resume, optional cover letter, and supporting documents to assess your qualifications for this position. Please ensure your resume and documentation include detailed information demonstrating your relevant qualifications.

Failure to provide sufficient and legible evidence in your resume or supporting documents may result in a "not qualified" determination.

You MUST select at least one eligibility (i.e., how you wish to be considered) to receive consideration for this position.

Rating: Applications will be assessed on the following competencies: Ability to Do the Work of the Position without More Than Normal Supervision Applicants must meet the screen-out elements and achieve an overall score of at least 50% (fifty percent). Subject matter experts may be used for qualification determinations.

If the minimum qualifications and eligibility requirements are met, your application will be rated and ranked based on your responses to the online assessment questions regarding your experience, education, training, performance appraisals, or awards relevant to the duties of the position.

Your rating may be lowered if your responses to the assessment questions are not supported by the evidence described in your application.

To preview the questionnaire, click here: *** Referral: If you are among the top qualified candidates, your application may be referred to a selecting official for consideration, and you may be required to participate in an interview.

Referrals are made based on applicant eligibility (e.g., Merit Promotion, veterans' preference). Please review the Evaluation Process for details on how applicants are reviewed and referred based on their selected eligibility. Rule of Many Rating Procedures: Applicants are ranked in score order based on their assessment rating plus Veterans preference points, as applicable.

All applicants with a score of 70 or higher, including Veterans preference points, will be referred to the hiring official.

CTAP/ICTAP Eligibility: If you are a displaced or surplus federal employee eligible for the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP), you must be determined eligible and rated as well-qualified to receive special selection priority.

"Well-qualified" means that in addition to meeting the minimum qualification requirements and selective placement factor(s), if applicable, you must receive a score of 85 or higher. For information on required supporting documents and eligibility criteria, please review: CTAP/ICTAP Eligibility

Documents you must provide

• The documents required vary based on how you apply (e.g., veteran or disabled veteran, current or former federal employee).
• Please review the Required Documents to determine which documents apply to you.
• Failure to submit required documentation may result in the loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package.
• A complete application package includes: A resume Responses to the vacancy assessment questions All applicable supporting documents Please note that if you do not provide all required information as specified in this announcement, or if submitted documents are illegible, you may lose consideration for this position (or may not receive the special hiring consideration for which you may be eligible).
• Resume: All applicants must submit a resume by creating one in USAJOBS or uploading one of their choice.
• Cover letters are optional.
• To receive credit for relevant experience, your resume must include the start and end dates (month/year) and the average number of hours worked per week for each position listed.
• We recommend previewing the online assessment questions to ensure your resume clearly supports your responses.
• Please refer to the Resume Guidance for instructions on building an effective resume.
• Only resumes up to two (2) pages will be accepted; applicants with resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration.
• Refer to the USAJOBS Help Center for additional recommendations and instructions.
• Reinstatement: If you are a former federal employee (separated from federal service for at least one year) and wish to be noncompetitively reinstated to a higher grade or full performance level than the position from which you separated, you MUST provide: A copy of your separation SF-50 (the "Position Occupied" block must show a "1" and the "Tenure" block must show a "1" or "2") Your most recent official performance appraisal showing a rating of at least "Fully Successful" (or equivalent)

What to expect next

To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (***), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: ***

We will update applicant statuses when: A qualification determination is made. If found not qualified/eligible, no additional updates will be provided. Applications are referred to the selecting official.

A selection decision has been made. Please notify us if your contact information changes after the closing date. Also, note that if you provide an inaccurate email address or if your mailbox is full or blocked (e.g., spam-blocker), you may not receive important communication, which could affect your consideration for this position.

Additional information

This position is covered by the Federal Wage System. The FWS is a uniform pay-setting system that covers Federal appropriated fund and non-appropriated fund blue-collar employees who are paid by the hour. For more information regarding the FWS, visit ***

We may share your application package with other selecting officials at NIST with opportunities like this one. Additional selections may be made through this vacancy. Click all links in this vacancy announcement to view additional information or instructions.

You MUST select at least ONE ELIGIBILITY in order to be considered for this position.

All documents submitted for this announcement must be legible in order to make qualification or eligibility determinations. A probationary period may be required.

This position has physical requirements which include, but may not be limited to: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over Heavy carrying, 45 pounds and over Pushing - 1 hour Reaching above shoulder Use of fingers Both hands required Walking - 6 hours Standing - 6 hours Crawling - 2 hours Kneeling - 2 hours Repeated bending - 6 hours Climbing, legs only - 4 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 Both eyes required Depth perception Ability to distinguish basic colors Ability to distinguish shades of colors Hearing (aid may be permitted) This position has environmental factors which include, but may not be limited to: Outside and inside Excessive heat Excessive cold Excessive dampness or chilling 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 Working with hands in water Explosives Vibration Working closely with others Working alone Protracted or irregular hours of work Long hours working on snow crew NIST strives to build a flexible and encouraging work environment to bring out the best in our employees.

To help our employees balance responsibilities at home and at work, NIST offers a variety of work-life flexibilities. For more information, please visit our Careers website.