Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic

industrial maintenance jobs; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Veterans Affairs in Pittsburgh region seeks a Journeyman Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic to install, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair HVAC and refrigeration systems across hospital facilities, including large chillers and centralized controls.

The role requires working at Heinz and University Drive locations, with physical demands and safety prerequisites as described in the posting. Federal employment offers comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• HVAC equipment knowledge including installation, maintenance and repair.
• Ability to troubleshoot complex HVAC/refrigeration systems using diagrams and test instruments.
• Experience with energy management systems and control schematics.

Responsibilities

• Maintain, repair and install HVAC and refrigeration systems.
• Operate and troubleshoot the central environmental control system.
• Install ductwork, thermostats and controls; service large chillers and air handling units.
• Order materials following acquisition policies.

Skills

HVAC systems

Troubleshooting

Electrical diagrams

Test instruments

Tools

Multimeters

Ammeters

Barometers

Psychrometers

Energy management system

Job description

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.

Major 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.*

Conditions of Employment

Requirements

U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Services Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents. Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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 does 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.

Education

There is no education substitute for experience with this position.

Additional Information

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

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 an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Help

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.