Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic

About the role

This position is located within the Kansas City Veteran's Affairs Medical Center, Facilities Management Service (FMS).

The position serves as the Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic for the HVAC section of FMS and is responsible for the installation, repair, and operation of all refrigeration, air conditioning and air handling parts and equipment to be installed, modified, retrofitted, removed, and maintained as part of any HVAC Projects at the KCVAMC.

What you will do

• To evaluate candidates who meet the minimum qualifications for this skilled trades position, the selecting official may conduct a Practical Job Interview / Hands-On Skills Assessment.
• In accordance with OPM guidance for skilled trades and craft positions, a practical interview may be used to assess proficiency in the critical competencies of this position.
• This is not a formal test, but a demonstration of your ability to perform representative job tasks.
• Candidates who are referred and selected for an interview may be asked to demonstrate, verbally explain, or physically perform tasks such as the duties below.
• Major duties include, but are not limited to the following: HVAC/R System Maintenance & Repair Perform installation, troubleshooting, repair, and preventive maintenance on HVAC/R systems ranging from 1⁄4-ton to 1500-ton capacity, including hermetic reciprocating units and centrifugal chillers.
• Service and repair air- and water-cooled chillers, walk-in coolers, freezers, refrigerators, VFDs, ice machines, pumps, induction units, fan coil units, make-up air units, mini-split systems, heat-recovery units, window units, and air handling units.
• Troubleshoot and repair electric, steam, and hot-water reheat systems, including control sequencing, actuators, valves, and temperature control issues.
• Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair electric humidification systems, including water feed components, canisters, steam piping, and BAS control integration.
• Refrigeration Systems & Piping Conduct refrigerant diagnostics by evaluating superheat, subcooling, metering devices, restrictions, and overall system performance.
• Charge refrigeration systems using manufacturer specifications, P-T relationships, and EPA-approved recovery and charging procedures.
• Perform brazing and soldering on copper refrigerant, hot-water heating, and chilled-water piping systems, ensuring proper purge, flow, and joint integrity.
• Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) Systems Troubleshoot and maintain VRF systems including branch selector boxes, refrigerant manifolds, multi-zone controls, electronic expansion valves, and integrated communication networks.
• Mission-Critical Cooling & Environmental Stability Operate and service data-center HVAC systems (CRAC/CRAH units, cooling loops, humidity control, containment) to ensure redundancy and environmental stability.
• Respond to Temp Track monitoring alerts across pharmacy, laboratory, surgery, sterile storage, nutrition, and research environments; replace sensors, calibrate devices, and verify environmental compliance.
• Healthcare Ventilation & Regulatory Compliance Perform airflow measurements, air-exchange verification, and directional-pressure testing for AIIRs, protective environments, clean rooms, and operating rooms.
• Uses balometer, anemometers, and differential pressure instruments to verify compliance with ASHRAE, CDC, USP 797/800, and VA ventilation standards.
• Building Automation System (BAS) Support Install, calibrate, and troubleshoot electronic and pneumatic controls and BAS-managed field devices (sensors, actuators, transducers, relays, VFD interfaces).
• Support BAS programming including graphics creation, adding/removing points, scheduling, alarm parameter editing, loop tuning, trend logs, and communication-network troubleshooting.
• Ensure BAS tuning and optimization support VA energy management and cybersecurity requirements.
• Chiller Overhaul & Specialized Diagnostics Overhaul centrifugal chillers including compressor teardown, thrust bearing replacement, seals, wear rings, and guide vanes.
• Diagnose and repair chiller control panels, safety circuits, starter systems, VFDs, electronic expansion systems, economizers, purge units, oil-return systems, and condenser/evaporator issues.
• Perform chiller startup, shutdown, calibration, purge operations, oil sampling, and tube cleaning per manufacturer and VA standards.
• Complete, update, and close work orders in CMMS with accurate documentation of work performed, labor hours, parts used, findings, and required follow-up.
• Maintain a valid state driver's license and EPA Universal Refrigerant Certification.
• Perform all work in compliance with VA safety, environmental, energy management, and HVAC/R standards.
• Perform other tasks as assigned to support Engineering Service operations.
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:00 am to 3:30 pm Position Description Title/PD#: Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic/PD10498A Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Subject to background/security investigation Pre-employment physical required - Driving Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (***).
• Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) Possess a valid, unrestricted Driver's License (DL).
• Have a safe driving record.
• Demonstrate that they are medically qualified to operate the appropriate motor vehicle safely.
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial 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 or trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

How you will be evaluated

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC.

WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified.

Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document. Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion.

The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Documents you must provide

• EPA Universal Certification Resume SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position.
• Please make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).
• You will not be contacted for additional information.
• Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (VA) License EPA Universal Certification Professional Certification Resume Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Time in Grade and/or Eligibility): Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee An SF-50 showing your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials.
• If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement.
• In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade Award 50's do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted for the purpose of verifying time-in-grade.
• Examples of appropriate SF-50's include: Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.
• Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire.
• You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.).
• If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation.
• Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form.
• Documentation is required to award preference.
• For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

What to expect next

Once your online application is submitted, you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met.

If initial application submission is updated and resubmitted with a new resume, only the most current resume will be considered. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued, and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview.

All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made. You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.

NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and 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.

Additional information

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.

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.