Air Conditioning Equipment Operator

About the role

Air Conditioning Equipment Operators have a thorough knowledge of the principles of electrically driven centrifugal compressors, auxiliary machinery, diesel driven generators, water chemistry and the ability to take appropriate corrective action to maintain comfort, services and equipment. They possess a valid refrigerants compliance license issued by a competent authority.

What you will do

• Operators are responsible for analyzing various indicators, alarms, computers and instruments to detect abnormal conditions and make appropriate corrections including the ability to isolate and bypass the fault or if necessary to call back Engineering Service personnel and contractors to maintain services.
• Additionally, during normal duty hours, operators are responsible for responding to emergency calls related to air conditioning, elevators and other duties as assigned.
• After normal working hours operators are responsible for responding to all trouble calls related to any Engineering systems such as elevators, nurse call system, fire alarms, water supply, electrical, sewer, plumbing, and therapy pool and taking necessary action to modify, repair or otherwise ensure safe operation.
• Operators monitor critical areas such as the blood bank, kitchen refrigerators and freezers, and morgue.
• They inspect the SPS softener, operate all air conditioning auxiliary equipment such as pumps, fans and cooling towers, test and treat the therapy swimming pool and monitor The Joint Commission (TJC) requirements.
• Air Conditioning Equipment Operators have a thorough knowledge of the principles of electrically driven centrifugal compressors, auxiliary machinery, diesel driven generators, water chemistry and the ability to take appropriate corrective action to maintain comfort, services and equipment.
• They possess a valid refrigerants compliance license issued by a competent authority.
• Furthermore, they possess the necessary ability to perform operational repairs of moderate complexity to include cleaning, painting, lubricating equipment, power cleaning chiller tubes, repairing or replacing valves, gauges, switches, sight glasses, pump assemblies, piping leaks, the basic knowledge of electricity to test and replace wires, switches and other basic electrical components.
• Air Conditioning Equipment Operators apply a comprehensive knowledge of all operational phases of centralized, multiple zoned air conditioning plant operations to safely operate and maintain comfort in numerous critical buildings with a thorough knowledge of the functions and procedures of related systems to include water treatment, electrical generators, fuel oil systems, and pollution control and their interrelationships for efficient and economical generation.
• They apply knowledge of the principles and theories pertaining to refrigeration, heat transfer and chilled water generation in the operation of the chiller plant.
• Additionally, they apply a thorough knowledge of the rules, regulations and laws pertaining to refrigerants, the environment and pollution control requirements, water treatment procedures and water analysis using standard chemical tests, equipment and systems.
• They are fully capable of performing maintenance requirements and procedures, troubleshooting malfunctions in advanced equipment and systems by using standard testing techniques, testing equipment and devices.
• They have the ability to make repairs to a variety of systems not directly related to air conditioning and are able to read and interpret blueprints, diagrams, drawings, work orders and verbal instructions.
• Air Conditioning plant operators have the ability and knowledge of procedures and adjustments to start, operate, adjust, maintain and secure machinery in a chiller plant to meet load demands and maintain efficient cooling.
• They have the skill necessary to operate chillers through normal operation and shut downs based on weather, machinery condition and specific load demands.
• Work Schedule: Rotating Schedules Position Description Title/PD#: Air Conditioning Equipment Operator/PD01015A Physical Requirements: Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work.
• Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site.
• Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 50 pounds.
• Functional Requirements: Individuals, including wage-grade drivers, title 5, title 38, and hybrid title 38 employees or volunteers who are required to operate a government owned or leased vehicle to successfully carry out their assigned duties must be medically cleared prior to appointment (positions that require a CDL are covered under a separate OF-178).
• Assessment must be made for any acute or chronic medical/physical condition or medication use which interferes with the ability operate the appropriate Government-owned or -leased vehicle safely and without undue risk to themselves or others.
• The following requirements must be met: distant vision 20/40 in one eye with or without correction, field of vision 70 degrees, ability to distinguish red, green and amber, whispered voice at five feet, or average hearing loss of not greater than 40 dbs. at 500, 1000 and 2,000 Hz.

Requirements

• 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 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 (***).
• 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.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement or substitution.

How you will be evaluated

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.

Documents you must provide

• Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (Schedule A) Disability Letter (VA) License Other (1) PCS Orders Performance Appraisal Professional Certification Resume Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Please review the above list(s) to ensure you have included all necessary documents required for your application.
• Not every applicant will require the same documents, therefore it is the applicants responsibility to ensure that their application package includes all necessary documents to determine qualifications and eligibility for appointment, such as a copy of your SF-50, transcript, ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).
• You will not be contacted for additional information.
• Applicants will be deemed ineligible if supporting documentation is not submitted.
• Veterans' Preference: Since the Direct-Hire Recruitment Authority is being used, traditional Veterans' Preference rules do not apply.
• Qualified veterans will, however, be given full consideration for this position.
• Applications are accepted online.
• Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.

What to expect next

After the vacancy announcement closes, applicants are evaluated to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email.

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 ***

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.