Duties

Reads and interprets work orders, specifications, technical literature and blueprints for installations, modifications and trouble shooting in order to determine the best methods to accomplish the work with a minimum of instructions concerning the work methods or materials to be used.
Monitors, evaluates, controls, and modifies station energy management system using Siemens "APOGEE" System. Operates, controls, monitors and modifies set points and devices using the "Trane Summit" computer system, to efficiently distribute chilled water throughout the campus and cycle the three 1200 ton centrifugal chillers and associated cooling towers.
Takes samples and make corrections to chemical content in three 1200 ton cooling towers to provide continuous treatment for the condenser water system and chilled water closed loop system and maintain daily records of plant operations and properly file records for future use.
Maintains, installs, hooks up, troubleshoots, and puts into operation all types of refrigeration, air conditioning equipment along with electric and pneumatic controls for offices, conference rooms, pharmacy, labs, test areas, X-ray rooms, operating rooms, computer rooms, walk-in coolers and chiller plant.
Recognizes the cause of faulty equipment and is able to make necessary repairs, modifying and relocating equipment on various special-purpose air conditioning and refrigeration systems that require close tolerance temperatures and humidity.
Alters systems to provide specific and critical climate conditions in different locations such as laboratories, operating rooms, nuclear medicine laboratories, pharmacy, computer rooms, ICU and CCU areas, morgue coolers, walk-in boxes, blood banks, clinics, offices, patient wards and chiller plant.
Responsible for maintenance and repair of the A/C Equipment in the Plant which hosts many exceptional differences from normal plant configurations to include 4160volt centrifugal compressors, multiple chilled water loops and pump configurations. The Plant consists of 3 ea 1200 ton, 4160 volt Trane centrifugal chillers, Three Two Cell 1200 ton Baltimore Cooling towers, six 75 hp condenser water pumps, six 40 to 150hp Chilled water pumps and Three 125 hp Variable Speed plant Pumps which push the Chilled water out of the Plant to serve 17 Campus buildings with industrial size chilled water systems. Most of the buildings served are greater than 40years in age with the oldest ones built in 1933. The 17 buildings mentioned have two secondary pumps each to circulate the chilled water and many tertiary and zone pumps for each building. These additional pumps total over 63 with varying horse powers from1 /2hp to 30hp.Maintains, installs, troubleshoots, re-designs, modifies, and repairs many different manufacturers' types of "DX" systems along with chilled water systems such as low and high velocity air handling units, variable air volume systems, packaged A/C systems, mini split systems, chilled water coils, reheat and preheat type coils, steam, water and infrared humidifiers, compressors, motors, dampers, motor actuators, air diffusers along with pneumatic and electric control systems.
Locates, identifies, trouble shoots, and make repairs or modifications to the design of all pumps and peripheral components of the chilled water, hot water and steam piping systems, often with little or no supervision.
Knowledge of domestic, commercial and industrial refrigeration, air conditioning and a high degree of understanding of the gas boilers, electrical, plumbing, carpenter and biomedical trades.
Experience in operating a centrifugal air conditioning plant, safely and efficiently.
Knowledge and skill to apply the principles of water pressures and fluid dynamics to accurately start and stop pumps, chillers and regulate valve positions .Knowledge of operating principles of a High Voltage operating system in order to troubleshoot and repair this area of the plant serving the three electrically driven centrifugal chillers due to the dangerous level of voltages that are being used.
Knowledge of the operating principles of steam in order to regularly open, close, and control steam weather vanes which heat buildings by supplying steam to pressure reducing valves serving radiators in the buildings.
Knowledge of pneumatic and electric control systems, air balancing in order to modify, alter or substitute components and to react to malfunctioning systems to achieve design.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7pm - 7am
Must have the flexibility to work outside the normal tour of duty which may include weekends and holidays.
Position Description Title/PD#: AC Equipment Operator/1796
Position includes $10,000 Recruitment & Relocation Incentive (3 year service obligation).

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
• Subject to a background/suitability investigation
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• May serve a probationary period
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

How You Will Be Evaluated

• Benefits

  A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

  Review our benefits

  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

• Required Documents

  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.

  Documents Accepted:

  • Cover Letter
  • DD-214/ Statement of Service
  • Disability Letter (Schedule A)
  • Disability Letter (VA)
  • License
  • Other
  • PCS Orders
  • Performance Appraisal
  • Professional Certification
  • Resume
  • Separation Notice (RIF)
  • SF-15
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
  • Transcript

  Documents Required:
  

  • Resume

  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.

• How to Apply

  All applicants are encouraged to apply online.
  To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 04/01/2024 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12361072.
  1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
  2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
  NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
  To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

  Agency contact information

  Andrew Larrison

  Phone

  7192819052

  Email

  Andrew.Larrison2@va.gov

  Address

  Salem VA Medical Center
  1970 Roanoke Boulevard
  Salem, VA 24153
  US

  Next steps

  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.

• Fair and Transparent

  The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Financial suitability
  • Selective Service
  • New employee probationary period
  • Signature and false statements
  • Privacy Act
  • Social security number request

Required Documents

Clarification from the agency

ALL US CITIZENS DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.201) for this occupation.