Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic

You will serve as an Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic Helper for the Facilities Management Service located in Seattle, Washington. You will perform a variety of straightforward work in installing and identifying the causes of faulty refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, and repairing the equipment.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENT: Section 608 Technician Certification EPA regulations (40 CFR Part 82, Subpart F) under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act require that technicians who maintain, service, repair, or dispose of equipment that could release ozone depleting refrigerants into the atmosphere must be certified. Starting on January 1, 2018, this requirement will also apply to appliances containing most substitute refrigerants, including HFCs. In order to qualify, applicants for this position must possess EPA Section 608 Technician Certification Type 4 (Universal). 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. The screen-out element is: Ability to do the work of the position without more than normal supervision. Examples are: experience with refrigeration cycle, temperature measurement, the properties of several refrigerants, and the knowledge of the construction and operation of a variety of domestic units and systems in order to identify malfunctions and make minor refrigeration system tests and adjustments; refrigeration cycle of a variety of systems to make visual, audible and mechanical checks of air conditioning systems operations; skill to service power sources by tightening connections, making splices, insulating exposed wires, and cleaning and lubricating moving parts; testing units and systems for proper operation; and replacing items such as belts, fans, and fuses; ability to replace major portions of various cooling units, such as compressors, condensers, expansion valves, float and service valves, thermostats, coils, and drive assemblies. 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: Ability to Do the Work of the Position without More Than Normal Supervision Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading) Materials Technical Practices Troubleshooting Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment 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. Preferred Experience: Experience in identifying the causes of faulty equipment and makes repairs on a variety of domestic and commercial refrigeration and air conditioning units and systems such as walk-in and reach-in coolers, refrigerators, deep freezers, evaporative coolers, attic and evaporative fans, and other equipment of comparable complexity. 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. Working Conditions: Most of the work is usually performed inside, but the incumbent is frequently subject to sudden temperature changes when working on equipment such as walk-in freezer units. Employee is occasionally subject to cuts burns, electrical shocks, and respiratory ailments; exposed to repeated, prolonged or concentrated amounts of refrigerant gases that may cause toxic effects on eyes, skin, and internal organs.