Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 65,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Pittsburgh seeks a journeyman Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic to install, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair HVAC and refrigeration systems. Work may involve Heinz and University Drive facilities, with supervision by Utilities Supervisor.

Responsibilities include operating complex control systems, diagnosing failures, and repairing large scale equipment. EPA Universal Certification and experience with energy management systems are preferred.

Qualifications

• Experience or training demonstrating ability to install, maintain, troubleshoot HVAC and refrigeration equipment.
• Evidence of knowledge, skills, and ability as described in resume.
• Must meet OPM Wage System standards and screen-out element.

Responsibilities

• Maintain, repair, install, modify, overhaul HVAC and refrigeration systems.
• Operate complex environmental control systems and energy management interfaces.
• Diagnose electronic subsystems and programming procedures for HVAC failures.
• Repair and service large HVAC units including chillers and air handling equipment.
• Install thermostats, regulators, and electrical controls on labs and equipment.

Skills

HVAC systems

Troubleshooting

Electrical diagnostics

Ductwork

Education

EPA Universal Certification

Tools

Test instruments

Blueprint reading

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.

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 SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR: Candidates should possess a current/valid EPA Universal Certification 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

• *Please note this position is under classification review and the grade could be affected by the final decision* 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: Though no physical examination is required - 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 candidates will be referred starting 11/23/2026 if available.*