Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic

This position serves as an Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic within the Engineering Service at the VA Palo Alto Healthcare System. The Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic is responsible for installing, troubleshooting, performing preventative maintenance and repairing all HVAC&R (heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration) equipment and controls.To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/21/2025.

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 .

CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENT: 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.

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

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: Work requires good coordination and good physical condition. Required to walk, stand, stoop, bend, kneel, climb, crawl and work in uncomfortable positions and to pull, push, reach over the shoulder and lift supplies and/or equipment weighing up to 100 pounds. Must have rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, good hearing, depth perception and the ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors.

Working Conditions: Work is both outside and inside in areas of medium to excessive heat, cold, humidity, dampness or chilling areas that have intermittent noise, dust, fumes, grease, dirt, oils, with exposure to electrical wires and energy. Areas may be slippery and/or uneven surfaces, in equipment rooms, tunnels, crawls spaces, penthouses, overhead catwalks, scaffolding and/or in tight areas such as manholes and electrical equipment closets.This job does not have an education qualification requirement.