Air Cond Equip Mechanic

Veterans Health Administration; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 44,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

Veterans Health Administration in San Diego seeks an Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic to service and repair HVAC and refrigeration systems across a major medical facility. You will work in the Engineering Service, Equipment Shop, supporting critical hospital infrastructure.

The role involves diagnosing faults, installing and maintaining equipment, following safety protocols, and reading blueprints to meet design specifications in a dynamic healthcare environment.

Qualifications

• Maintenance and repair on hospital HVAC and refrigeration systems.
• Utilizes mechanical and electrical controls and diagnostics.
• Ability to read mechanical blueprints and follow technical instructions.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and repair critical hospital equipment and systems.
• Diagnose faults and perform necessary repairs or adjustments.
• Install and commission HVAC/refrigeration components per design specs.
• Test systems for leaks and safe operation and document results.

Skills

HVAC systems

Mechanical repair

Reading blueprints

Safety procedures

Job description

• Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

The Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic position is a full performance level position located at the VA San Diego Healthcare System, VA Medical Center (VAMC) in the Engineering Service, Equipment Shop. The primary purpose of the position is to service and repair air conditioning, HVAC systems and provide for a variety of refrigeration and air conditioning functions.

Key Responsibilities

Major Duties include but are not limited to the following: The employee performs maintenance and repair on a variety of critical hospital equipment and systems that achieve required climatic conditions.

The employee installs, recognizes the cause of faulty equipment and makes repair on commercial and industrial refrigeration and air conditioning systems that provide a variety of functions (i.e., heating, cooling, humidifying, dehumidifying, cleaning, filtering, and circulating) and uses a variety of methods of air conditioning (mechanical and vapor compression and absorption).

Maintains, installs, and repairs a variety of refrigeration equipment and systems such as ultra low freezers, walk-in and reach-in refrigerators and freezers, domestic refrigerators, x-ray developing refrigeration machines, deep freezers, ice cream boxes, water coolers, ice machines, centrifuges, cascade systems, cryostat, incubators, blood banks, direct expansion evaporator coils, compressors, condensers, chilled water systems, etc.

Maintains systems by checking performance, diagnosing problems, and making necessary repairs or adjustments or by replacing defective parts. Changes and cleans filters in air conditioning and ventilation equipment. Troubleshoots entire air conditioning systems. Repairs or replaces fans, pumps, thermostats, humidistats, motors, compressors, valves, gauges, pneumatic and electric controls, filters, and other related elements. Tests systems for leaks and proper/safe operations.

Installs refrigeration and air conditioning systems by positioning compressors, motors, condensers, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, evaporators, heaters, and other components in accordance with design specifications. Installs and connects auxiliary control mechanisms and piping or tubing. Starts unit and adjusts it for proper cut-in and cutout of refrigerating units, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, heaters, air cleaners, pneumatic air dryers and circulating pumps.

Adjusts system for optimum performance. Troubleshoots, maintains pneumatic/electronic controls that are related to the heating or cooling system. Reads and interprets mechanical blueprints, specifications and technical instructions to complete installation of equipment, repair specialized equipment, and make general repairs.

Exposure to asbestos will occur, house cleaning and small abatement of asbestos is required during normal work assignment Work Schedule: 2:00pm -10:30pm Monday - Friday Position Description Title/PD#: Air Cond Equip Mechanic/PD11058A Physical Requirements: Lifting usually not exceeding 50 pounds unassisted and 100 pounds or more with assistance. Uses lifting devices or obtains assistance in moving heavy items.

Works from ladders, scaffolding and/or platforms where systems are in hard to reach places, requiring employee to work in close quarters or in cramped positions. Work requires hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity to manipulate tools when assembling units and replacing defective components, coordination for reading and setting gauges, checking refrigerant leaks, and adjusting controls, and color discrimination to recognize color codes.

Work frequently requires stooping, stretching, bending, and kneeling for long periods of time. Working Conditions: Works indoors and outdoors, on elevated structures, and in cramped areas. Subject to discomfort from face masks and/or other protective devices when there is a possibility of exposure to asbestos, toxic refrigerants, noxious gases, fumes or acids.

Employee is exposed to the dangers of moving equipment, energized electric circuits, sharp metal edges, and toxic fumes while performing the duties of the position. Exposure to electrical conductors, moving objects, sharp edges, etc., may occur along with danger to cuts, burns, and respiratory ailments. Incumbent will be required to wear respirators and must be physically able to perform assigned work tasks as described above and operate safety equipment.

Pulmonary function test (PFT), Chest x-ray (XR), Completion of Personal History Questionnaire (Q), Physical Evaluation conducted by Physician (PE), is required prior to start and then annually. Typical safety equipment required by the trade are safety shoes, safety glasses, respirators, protective clothing and hard hats.

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $31.91 – $37.19/hr.

What security clearance is required?

This position requires a Other security clearance.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-10-02.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Fed Transition' hiring path.