Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic
What you'd do
This position is located at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Plains Area (PA), National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility in Manhattan, KS. In this position, you will perform the full range of activities involved in maintaining and repairing a variety of air conditioning and cooling unit systems.
Major duties
Installs equipment from individual systems to large scale equipment responsible for cooling, heating, humidifying at various locations such as office buildings, laboratories, warehouses, mechanical rooms, areas with sensitive equipment. Performs yearly maintenance, checking all laboratory cold storage and campus refrigerators, freezers, environmental growth chambers, and walk-in coolers. Conducts preventive and predictive maintenance; troubleshoots; repairs/replaces defective parts; inspects/tests new refrigeration equipment and replenishes gases for refrigerators and freezers. Ensures general building maintenance such as air balance, ventilation systems, electrical pump, electric motors, etc. related to air conditioning and refrigeration. Refurbishes old equipment, including wiring and insulation.
What you need to qualify
Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. In order to qualify for this position you must meet the following by the closing date of the vacancy announcement: 07/20/2026 Qualifications will be determined under the Job Element Rating System X-118C, Qualifications Standard Handbook. While a specific length of time and experience is not required for most Wage Grade positions, you must show through experience and training that you possess the best qualified level of knowledge and skill necessary to perform the duties of this position. Qualification requirements emphasize the quality of experience, not necessarily the length. The responses to the questionnaire and your resume should be in significant detail to provide the person rating your application with a good understanding of your ability to do the job, technical knowledge, work, and training experience, etc. (For example You must have the ability to perform the duties of a Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic, without more than normal supervision (Screen Out)). Applicants who do not meet the SCREEN OUT ELEMENT will not be given further consideration. Physical Efforts: Incumbent performs work on benches, supports, ladders, scaffolds, roofs, cramped and crowded quarters, in modules, around and under laboratory equipment which requires continuous standing, stooping, bending, climbing, and working overhead and in cramped or awkward positions. May be required to lift items up to 100 pounds with appropriate precautions and support. Working Conditions: Incumbent usually performs work inside heated buildings, but may be required to work on equipment located outside of buildings and on top of roofs. When outside, work may be occasionally performed in all kinds of weather. The incumbent may be exposed to equipment in continual operation, noise levels, and odors. The incumbent is also subject to infection, mechanical injury, electric shock, gas, cuts, bruises, fumes, dirt and grease. Safety equipment must be used when required and the incumbent is required to wear a full-faced respirator when working in biological control settings. The health status of personnel is monitored periodically using biologic and serologic tests and physical examinations. Restrictions against contact with birds and livestock outside the laboratory may apply after entering high security animal facilities that are working with disease agents foreign to the United States. The mission of NBAF includes research, diagnosis and training for animal diseases foreign to the U.S. for the purpose of protecting American agriculture and domestic food sources from their potentially devastating effects. NBAF is vital to successfully protecting U.S. agriculture from the intentional or non intentional introduction of foreign animal diseases such as Foot-and-Mouth disease. The position supports the biocontainment facilities and may require entry into biosafety level (BSL) 3, 3 enhanced, 3 Ag and BSL-4 labs. The incumbent must demonstrate the physical and psychological capability to conduct normal duties that are appropriate to their position. To prevent the transmission of disease out of biocontainment and retention of the position, the incumbent must meet the following medical standards in a pre-employment medical examination conducted after the receipt of a preliminary job offer and on a periodic basis: Ability to shower out of biocontainment one or more times per day; Not have any skin condition which would prevent this; Body piercings must be able to be removed prior to entry; External medical assist devices must have the ability to be removed prior to entering or not impede the ability to enter biocontainment, and the individual must still be able to shower out safely without assistance; Ability to follow instructions regarding decontamination from biocontainment; Any medical condition which could create an unsafe environment for the individual or his/her co-workers, such as: insufficient control of a medical disorder which could result in sudden loss of consciousness; and inadequate vision and hearing required for safety in a laboratory environment. Medical confidentiality will be maintained by the examining physician and only fitness (or unfit) for duty determination will be indicated. The incumbent will also be required to pass periodic fitness for duty physicals. In addition, a medical clearance will be required in the event that it becomes necessary to enter an area where an air purifying respirator or other respiratory protection is required. A baseline blood sample may be required for employees entering and working in the biocontainment facilities. For the health and safety of the incumbent and to prevent the spread of disease, immunization against diseases being studied at NBAF which are transmissible to humans may be required where the vaccine has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for safety and effectiveness under the provision of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, as amended 21 USC 321-392. Where the vaccine has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for investigational purposes, the incumbent will be advised that such immunization is voluntary. Due to the contagious nature to livestock of Foot-and-Mouth disease, and other diseases under study at NBAF, Biological Safety Regulations specify a personal quarantine for employees working in BSL-3, 3 enhanced, 3 Ag and 4 biocontainment. As a condition for employment, all personnel entering the BSL-3 or higher biocontainment facilities at NBAF shall not be in contact with specific susceptible animals and their premises away from NBAF for a period of five (5) days after leaving bio-containment. Currently, restricted species are cattle, sheep, goats, deer, other ruminants, and swine. Contact with horses, birds (agricultural and pet birds) and rabbits are normally permitted, but restrictions may be placed on staff working with or near contagious agents affecting these species. Restricted livestock or other restricted animals may not be housed on the premises where the employee lives and where quarantine cannot be enforced. Employees who violate this requirement may be removed from employment or subject to other disciplinary action. Additionally, an approved SRA investigation is required for access to select agent registered spaces. Other Conditions of Employment: Motor Vehicle or Commercial Driver's License Required Drug Test Required Vaccine (s) Required Special Physical Requirements/Demands SAC and full background investigation required for positions working with BSL-3 (or higher) agents, or in BSL-3/BSL-4 facilities. Department of Justice (DOJ) Security Risk Assessment (SRA) approval is required. Immunizations may be required. Respirator fitting and certification is required. On-Call/Standby Requirement: The position requires the incumbent to be on-call 24/7 on a rotating basis (e.g., one week every four weeks). Availability: The incumbent must be available to respond to calls via phone/pager within 30 minutes and, if necessary, be physically present at the worksite within 60 minutes of notification. 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; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Before you apply
Federal applications are different: your resume should be 3–5 pages and mirror the language of this announcement. Read our federal resume guide first — it's the #1 reason qualified people get screened out.
Don't miss the next one.
Get an email the moment a similar federal job opens — postings can close in as little as 5 days.