Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Pittsburgh seeks a journeyman AC equipment mechanic to install, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair HVAC and refrigeration systems across campus facilities.

You will work in the AC Shop within Facilities Management, supporting Heinz and University Drive sites and coordinating with the Utilities Supervisor. The role requires extensive diagnostic work, reading blueprints, and using test instruments to ensure reliable climate control and compliance with safety

Qualifications

• Experience with installation, maintenance, and repair of HVAC and refrigeration systems.
• Ability to interpret blueprints, schematics, and technical manuals.
• Proficient troubleshooting using test instruments and diagnostic tools.

Responsibilities

• Maintain, repair, install, modify, overhaul, and adjust HVAC and refrigeration equipment.
• Operate and service a computerized central environmental control system.
• Troubleshoot and diagnose equipment failures using diagrams and manuals.
• Work with energy management and variable speed drive units.
• Install and service thermostats, controls, and air handling systems.
• Order materials following acquisition policies.

Skills

HVAC troubleshooting

Maintenance repair

Blueprint reading

Electrical schematics

Computerized control systems

Manual dexterity

Tools

Computerized control systems

Job description

Summary

This position is located in the Air Conditioning (AC) Shop - Utilities Section - under the Engineering Section of Facilities Management Service Line - under the general supervision of the Utilities Supervisor. The incumbent is a journeyman AC equipment mechanic responsible for the installation - maintenance - troubleshooting and repair of all Heating - Ventilation - and Air Conditioning (HVAC) and refrigeration equipment and systems and may be required to work at both the Heinz and University Drive.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. 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 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.

Duties

• Duties include but not limited to: Maintenance - repair - installation - modification - overhaul - and adjustments to complex heating - air conditioning - ventilation - and refrigeration equipment systems
• Installs - operates - adjusts - maintains - and modifies - a highly complex - computerized central environmental control system
• Troubleshoots - diagnoses - repairs - replaces and evaluates the system and subsystems - and components through use of the computer - flow diagrams - wiring diagrams - electrical and electronic schematics - manufacturer's technical manuals - and a variety of test instruments - including - but not limited to: multimeters - ammeters - smoke testers - barometers - differential pressure cells - balometers and psychrometers
• Analyzes and diagnoses the precise cause of electronic subsystems and programming procedures of HVAC equipment failures in order to complete correct repairs
• Operates - adjusts - maintains and repairs a number of very complex variable speed drive units - involving detailed electronic circuitry and power transistor work that must be interfaced to the energy management system
• Repairs - overhauls - adjusts - installs and maintains a variety of large heating - air conditioning - ventilation - and refrigeration systems and equipment
• Installs and makes repairs to window and rooftop units for heating and air conditioning - using gas - heat pumps - electric power sources - and package type units using remote and local controls - both by hardwire and computer control
• Services large units - up to 1200 ton centrifugal or helical screw chillers in a multi-chiller operation - air handling units - fan coils - variable volume boxes - constant volume boxes - radiant heat panels - steam and hot water converters - pumps - compressors - radiators - coils and the associated pneumatic - electronic - electrical - and computer controlled actuating devices
• Installs various types of thermostats - water controls and regulators - and electrical controls on research lab deep freezers (including cascade types) - walk-in coolers - and exhaust hoods
• Designs - fabricates - and installs a variety of duct work made from various materials for air conditioning - heating and ventilation applications Installs - maintains - repairs - services and disinfects a variety of ice machines
• Responsible for ordering materials by following acquisition policies to identify - research and solicit quotes for requested complex components - equipment - parts and materials
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:00am-3:30pm or Monday-Friday 2:00pm-10:30pm
• Tour to be determined at time of selection
• Position Description Title/PD#: Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic/PD00368A Physical Requirements: The duties require considerable movement around the hospital and involve bending - lifting - work from ladders - both in and outside the building - and crawling through restrictive areas
• The incumbent must occasionally lift equipment or materials weighing fifty pounds or more with proper equipment
• Assignments may require him/her to stand - stoop - kneel - climb and work in tiring and uncomfortable positions
• He/she is standing or walking much of the time and must be in good overall physical condition
• Physical capability to regularly walk long distances - dexterity and accurate eye-hand coordination - and corrected 20/20 vision and accurate color perception are required
• *Every two weeks a certificate will be issued starting 9/1/2026.*