AddressSummary The Maintenance Mechanic Leader is located at the Syracuse VA Medical Center, a tertiary care facility providing a full range of patient care services with state-of-the-art technology as well as education and research programs. The primary purpose of this position is to maintain and control a wide variety of critical utility systems and equipment required for the 24 hour/7 day per week operation of the Medical Center's physical plant. Responsibilities Major Duties Typical Leader duties include: Passing onto AC Equipment Mechanics and USRO team members the instructions received from the supervisor; Working along with team members and setting the pace; seeing to it that needed plans, blueprints, materials and tools are available and that needed stock is obtained from supply locations; Obtaining needed information or decisions from the supervisor on problems that come up during the work; retaining a current knowledge and answering questions on problems of others on procedures, policies, written instructions and other directives, such as technical orders, training requirements; Adjusting workloads so there is enough work to keep everyone busy; checking work while in progress and when finished to see whether the supervisor's instructions on work sequences, procedures, methods and deadlines have been met; Assuring that safety and housekeeping rules are followed and assuring that limits of save machine operation are not exceeded and that all tools are stored and used properly; Answering questions of the Supervisor on overall work operations and problems concerning additional on-the-job training requirements for individual employees. Pipefitting Duties The position is responsible to do repairs of the manifold systems for nitrogen and nitrous oxide along with vacuum and medical air distribution systems; Monitors the hospital bulk oxygen main and reserve tank systems and monitors all oxygen deliveries from the bulk oxygen vendor; The position Troubleshoots and repairs up to 480 volt electrical controls, frequency drives and the lower voltage environmental control is responsible for pressure steam distribution and operation maintenance and repair. systems; Installs steam fired equipment by doing sizing the piping and making the connections to the existing steam systems; Repairs high and low pressure steam supplied equipment along with performing modifications as necessary by doing equipment sizing calculations and sizing the supply lines as necessary; Water Treatment The position is responsible to do monitor the domestic hot and cold water temperatures, chlorination and distribution systems; Modifies the chlorination system if required to add the necessary requirements as per New York State standards. Air Conditioning Duties Operates large electric centrifugal and reciprocating chillers, cooling towers, condenser water pumps, chilled water pumps and air handling units in all areas of the building; Performs testing and balancing of the HVAC systems and id are required to repair or verify readings in critical air flow systems; Performs troubleshooting for critical refrigeration and HVAC Systems during off-tours in order to make a necessary or temporary repair in order to continue system operation until the next business day where a permanent repair may be made; The position is responsible for performing mechanical maintenance of Chiller Plant equipment, medical gas, Oxygen, vacuum systems, and medical air by disassembling, cleaning or replacing worn parts and reassembling and annual sprinkler system main drain testing; Responsible for troubleshooting and repairing all associated equipment such as chillers, stand-alone cooling systems, air handlers, split systems, plate and frame heat exchangers, compressors and major components for the primary HVAC systems; Monitors the hospital Environmental Control System checking temperature and humidity trends in all areas including surgery, Heart Cath, Angio, MRI, and research animal rooms; Operates a modern Environmental Control System and makes set point changes and respond to any alarms that may be generated; Observes the fire alarm screen panel and printer located in the Engineering Control Center and follows up all alarm troubles or off-line points. Puts control fire protection zones into disable and enable for construction, repairs or testing as required; Performs weekly fire pump testing and semi-annual fire sprinkler tamper and flow switch testing. The position is responsible for responding to all fire alarms, which may be initiated by manual pull stations, smoke detectors, or sprinkler activations; Assists with fire watchers when construction or life safety conditions warrant; The position makes rounds to check for proper operation of a wide variety of specialized, critical equipment such as emergency power generators, refrigeration units in the morgue, and the blood bank. Work Schedule: 7AM-3:30PM, M-F Position Description Title/PD#: Maintenance Mechanic Leader/PD # 01718-O Physical Requirements: Works in tiring positions for prolonged periods. Frequent standing, bending, stooping, crouching and arm movement is required. Frequently lifts and carries items weighing up to 50 lbs. May occasionally lift heavier items with assistance. Equipment rounds require climbing stairs and fixed ladders. Requirements Conditions of Employment 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: Inspect Lead or Supervise Plan and organize work Troubleshooting 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 None. 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. Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
