Electronics Industrial Controls Mechanic - Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration

Summary The incumbent serves as an Electronic Industrial Controls Mechanic and is assigned to the Maintenance and Repair Section at the Vancouver Campus of VAPORHCS. This position performs work associated with the programming, updating, repair, and installation of centralized Energy Monitoring and Control System (EMCS) which includes the Building Automation System (BAS). Responsibilities The Electronic Industrial Controls Mechanic must have a working knowledge of thermodynamics, as it pertains to mechanical action and relationships of heat and refrigeration. Knows the use of refrigerant tables; how to calculate airflow; and the pressure-temperature characteristics for the different systems to locate and repair faulty equipment swiftly and to reduce inoperative time to minimum. Knows how to locate trouble before dismantling and to make repairs which ensure proper functioning after assembly. Uses knowledge of the refrigeration cycle of a variety of commercial and industrial systems to locate and check elements such as those which control low and high side pressure, the temperature of the cooling units, the temperatures of the liquid and suction lines, and the running time of the various mechanisms. Complex systems require special abilities when balancing or when complete repairs are made to complicated motors, compressors, evaporators, defrosting controls, relays, gears, and pulleys. Must be able to comprehend and follow written and verbal instructions including wiring and piping schematic drawings and diagrams. Must have the knowledge and skills required to maintain, install, troubleshoot and repair electrical, electronic, and pneumatic control systems. The requirements of this position include some duties as assigned in plumbing and intermediate pipefitting. These duties may include but not be limited to the following: repair and maintenance of water and gas distribution systems and equipment, fire sprinkler systems, low pressure steam distribution system to include regulating valves, traps, strainers, radiator valves and condensation piping. This position requires the ability to perform conduct air and water balance on HVAC systems. Must be able to use flow hoods, differential pressure measuring devices, rotation vane anemometer. Must be able to calculate air changes and room pressures. The work involves installing new equipment as well as recognizing the cause of faults in and making repairs on a variety of equipment. Equipment worked on includes dual fuel high-pressure and low-pressure boiler systems; ancillary steam plant components and systems; laundry equipment; domestic and commercial refrigeration and air conditioning units such as walk-in and reach-in coolers, refrigerators, ice cream cabinets, deep freezers, attic, and evaporative fans; and other equipment of comparable complexity including large systems for heating, cooling, humidifying, and dehumidifying. Installs, programs, and repairs systems to condition the air for different kinds of structures including those areas that have special requirements such as communication centers, data processing centers, operating rooms, laboratories, intensive care units and other areas with sensitive equipment. The systems use a variety of methods of air conditioning and refrigeration such as mechanical compression, vapor compression, absorption and multiple compressor systems Troubleshoots major components of multiple independent and complex electronic systems that have different engineering parameters. Diagnoses trouble or defects to determine corrective action in sensors, field cabinets, control consoles, and electronic control boards in motor control centers. Disconnects and dismantles electronic controlled instruments as necessary and corrects trouble or defects by adjusting, repairing, or replacing parts or units. Works with electrically powered circuits from 24V to 480V (AC and DC) and low voltage signals such as 0-10VDC and 4-20mA. Performs extensive control work such as checking, adjusting, installing, and modifying electronic, electric, and pneumatic controls as necessary to maintain proper control which requires extensive knowledge of system design, operation, and theory. The control work is required to maintain, install, hook up, and modify design parameters, write computer programs (including Proportional-Integral-Derivative [PID] Loops) and put into operation all types of heating (steam, natural gas, diesel), refrigeration producing cooling, and to operate and repair electronic controls for environmental controlling equipment by using the Delta Direct Digital Controls (DDC) system. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 3:30pm Position Description Title/PD#: Electronics Industrial Controls Mechanic/PD21733A Physical Requirements: The incumbent may be required to make repairs and installations from ladders, scaffolding, under buildings, small, tight places, manholes, and where the systems and equipment are in hard-to-reach places. This requires the incumbent to stand, stoop, bend, kneel, climb, and work in tiring and uncomfortable positions for prolonged periods. The incumbent frequently handles, lifts, carries and sets up parts with excessive weights (up to 65 lbs.). The incumbent must be able to maintain intense concentration for long periods of time. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job Subject to a background/suitability investigation May serve a probationary period Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. 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, the ability to do the job of Electronics Industrial Controls Mechanic without more than normal supervision. Examples include: Mechanical and electrical work required to maintain, repair, service and identify the cause of faulty equipment relating to heating, refrigeration, air handling, and laundry equipment; extensive control work such as checking, adjusting, installing, and modifying electronic, electric, and pneumatic controls; repair and maintenance of water and gas distribution systems and equipment, fire sprinkler systems, low pressure steam distribution system to include regulating valves, traps, strainers, radiator valves and condensation piping; perform conduct air and water balance on HVAC systems; use flow hoods, differential pressure measuring devices, rotation vane anemometer and be able to calculate air changes and room pressures. Note: Experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position on your resume and must include job title, duties, month & year starting and year ending dates AND hours worked per week. This position has a Selective Placement Factor: Failure to meet a selective placement factor will result in you not receiving further consideration. In addition to the minimum qualifications described above, you must meet the following selective placement factor: Applicants MUST have a universal refrigerant processing license and a minimum 4 years HVAC experience. 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: Electronics Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair Ingenuity Test Equipment - Electronics Troubleshooting (Electrical) Use Hand and Power Tools - Electronics Without more than normal supervision Working Conditions: Required to work outside, under and on top of tall buildings, in cramped areas with low overheads and in areas with moving equipment and machinery; is exposed to electrical hazards, hot and cold areas, and contagious diseases; required to occasionally wear uncomfortable face masks and protective clothing; subject to exposure to refrigerant, acid oils, and other safety hazards during accomplishment of assigned duties. Often required to crawl under buildings where extreme exposure to fiberglass and asbestos is not uncommon. 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 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. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. 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/. 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.