Summary The Air Conditioning Equipment Operator is assigned to Engineering Service at the VA Central Texas Health Care System. The Primary Purpose of the Position is to perform the duties of an Air Conditioning Equipment Operator, the duties of which are primarily to check the chillers and auxiliary equipment to ensure the operations efficiency of equipment and safety of personnel. DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.201) for this occupation. Responsibilities The VA has adopted Core Values and Characteristics that apply universally across the Department. The five Core Values define "who we are," our culture, and how we care for Veterans, their families and other beneficiaries. The Values are Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect and Excellence ("I CARE"). As a VA professional, your opportunities are endless. With many openings in the multiple functions of VA, you will have a wide range of opportunities and leadership positions at your fingertips. Major duties include, but are not limited to: Air Conditioning Equipment Operators safely and efficiently operate several centralized, multiple zone air condition plants consisting of up to 16 chillers on the Temple campus, and up to 6 Chillers on the Waco campus. They monitor and adjust temperature sensing points in numerous buildings through an integrated complex system. These integrated systems include, but are not limited to Johnson Controls, Metasys Energy Management System, Temptrak, and Schneider electric. The Air Conditioning Equipment Operators are responsible for starting, regulate, and stop more than 94 air handling units, and reset temperature controls to maintain comfort in critical areas such as, computer rooms, operating rooms, telecommunication rooms, research laboratories, kitchens, clinical laboratories, clinic waiting areas and offices. They operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week working alternating shifts with minimal supervision. Air Conditioning Equipment Operators use electronic, hydraulic, and pneumatic controls in conjunction with meters, gauges, and computer generated data to determine adjustments or corrections necessary for proper chiller operations or changing load demands. They operate auxiliary machinery such as pumps, air compressors, cooling towers, as well as performing chemical tests and treatment on chilled and condenser water. Operators are responsible for routinely observing the instruments, gauges, meters, detectors, recorders, water level indicators, controls, water chemistry and equipment and computer generated data. Furthermore, the operator is responsible for maintaining logs, records and other data to ensure proper tracking of water and electrical usage as well as relaying information to other operators and the supervisor. Operators perform operator maintenance and repairs on plant equipment of moderate complexity such as repairing and replacing valves, gauges, pumps or other equipment as well as basic electrical repairs, using a variety of tests, meters and instruments. They calibrate and program devices and measure, regulate and record a variety of independent electrical, mechanical or pneumatic components and elements such as velocity, pressure, temperature and voltage. 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. Work Schedule: Rotating Shifts: Sunday through Saturday, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm and 4:00 pm - 12:00 am (midnight) and 12:00 am (midnight) - 8:00 am Position Description Title/PD#: Air Conditioning Equipment Operator/PD06735A Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over; Moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds; Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (1-3 hours); Standing (1-3 hours); Crawling (1-3 hours); Kneeling (1-3 hours); Repeated bending (1-3 hours); Climbing, use of legs and arms; Both legs required; Operation of crane, truck, tractor, or motor vehicle; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Depth perception; Hearing (aid permitted) Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. 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. 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: Dexterity and Safety Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading) Measuring Instruments Operation of Equipment/Machinery Technical Practices 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. Education Additional Information 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 https://www.opm.gov/. 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 to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.