Air Conditioner Equipment Operator

Your tasks

The incumbent serves as an A/C Equipment Operator responsible for the operation, monitoring, and adjustment of central plant systems including high-pressure steam boilers, large-capacity centrifugal chillers, and building automation systems. Work involves continuous monitoring of critical infrastructure supporting a major medical center with 24/7 patient care operations. The position requires rotating shift work including nights, weekends, and holidays to ensure uninterrupted plant operations.

The employee operates, monitors, and adjusts major central utility plant systems including high-pressure steam boilers, centrifugal chillers, pumping systems, and digital building automation systems (BAS). Duties include:

1. Central Plant Equipment Operation Operates four high-pressure Cleaver-Brooks steam boilers and four centrifugal chillers (Trane CVHF and York YK models). Monitors steam pressure, temperatures, water levels, chiller suction/discharge pressures, condenser/evaporator temperatures, and electrical load measurements. Starts, stops, and transitions boilers and chillers based on facility load and energy efficiency requirements.

1. System Monitoring & Adjustments Uses BAS interfaces and control panels to maintain optimal operation of steam and chilled water systems. Responds to alarms and abnormal conditions, performing corrective actions within operator authority. Performs routine mechanical room walkthroughs to verify equipment status and identify potential issues.

1. Water Treatment & Basic Maintenance Conducts boiler and chilled water chemical testing; applies appropriate chemical treatment to maintain safe operating conditions. Performs routine maintenance including lubrication, filter changes, minor adjustments, and PM tasks. Maintains operator logs, system readings, and CMMS entries for shift activities.

1. Emergency Operations & Communication Responds to boiler or chiller failures, utility outages, BAS alarms, fire events, and urgent medical center utility demands. Executes emergency shutdowns or transitions in accordance with established protocols. Provides verbal and written turnover reports to ensure continuity across 24/7 operations.

1. Safety & Regulatory Compliance Follows VA, EPA, OSHA, and Joint Commission safety standards. Participates in safety drills and maintains required training/certifications applicable to assigned duties. Uses required PPE and follows lockout/tagout and confined space procedures.

Requirements

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:

• Dexterity and Safety
• Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation, and Repair, etc.
• Operation of Job Family Specify Equipment, Machinery, etc.
• Technical Practices (Theoretical, Precise, Artistic)
• Use of Measuring Instruments 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.

• 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
• 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.

Other

Work Schedule: Rotating shifts 11:00 am to 11:00 pm and 11:00 pm to 11:00 am. Work Schedule is subject to change based on agency need. Position Description Title/PD#: Air Conditioner Equipment Operator/PD114490 and PD114490 Recruitment/Relocation Incentives: May be authorized for highly qualified applicants. Physical Requirements: Work requires frequent walking throughout the facility, climbing ladders to access elevated equipment, working in confined spaces, and performing maintenance tasks in various positions. Visual acuity is required for reading gauges, meters, and computer displays. Manual dexterity is necessary for operating controls and performing maintenance tasks.