Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic

This Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic position is within the Facilities Management Service at the Providence VA Healthcare System, located in Providence, Rhode Island. This position is full-time at 40 hours per week.To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 06/12/2026.

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
• Inspect
• Troubleshooting
• Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
• Without more than normal supervision

In accordance with Section 608 of the Clean Air Act, this position requires a current Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved Universal Certification. Applicants who do not meet this requirement are ineligible for further consideration.

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.

Physical Requirements: The work requires carrying of equipment, tools and testing devices that often weight as much as 50 pounds. Frequently motors and equipment components weigh several hundred pounds and are located in difficult to access locations that require significant maneuvering and require hoists, holders and rigging. Most of the equipment can be reached from the floor or from ladders. Occasionally, platforms, man lifts and scaffolding are needed to reach parts of the system such as fans, electrical and water lines and duct work. The incumbent is required to stoop, stretch, bend, kneel and work in tiring and uncomfortable position.

Working Conditions: Much of the work is usually performed inside, but the incumbent is frequently subject to sudden temperature changes when working on equipment such as walk-in freezer units. Many of the larger air handling units, air cooled condensing units, cooling towers and the smaller split system condensing units are either on roof tops or outside on the ground subjecting the incumbent to the fierce New England weather. They are occasionally subject to cuts, bums, electrical shocks, and respiratory ailments; and exposed to repeated, prolonged or concentrated amounts of refrigerant gases that may cause toxic effects on eyes, skin, and internal organs. There is an occasional requirement to work in drafty attic spaces and in cramped areas with low overheads.This job does not have an education qualification requirement.