Electronic Industrial Controls Mechanic

Summary

The incumbent will function as the Electronic Industrial Controls Mechanic with Facilities Management Service for the South Texas Veterans Health Care System, Audie L. Murphy VA Hospital. The facility is comprised of various complex utility systems that create and support a safe environment for patients, staff, and visitors.

Duties

The incumbent plays an important role in maintaining and controlling equipment that impacts infection control with appropriate air changes/pressure for invasive procedures, sterile supply storage, and isolation patients; comfort level with air conditioning; energy goals with equipment efficiency; life safety with fire alarm operation with air handling equipment; etc. Duties may include but not limited to: -Works a rotating shift (1st' 2nd' and 3rd) to operate the Energy System Control Center (ESCC) on a 24-hour, 7-day basis, monitoring, adjusting, maintaining, and repairing the facility's building service equipment systems and related components. This equipment is vital to the functionality of Audie L. Murphy VA Hospital, and includes, but is not limited to: a. Air Handling Equipment - equipment that controls the air conditioning for the entire Hospital to include Operating Rooms; Supply, Process, and. Distribution; Reprocessing of Re-usable Medical Equipment; Intensive Care Units; Isolation Patient Rooms; Bio-Safety Lab; Clinical Lab; Animal Research; Bone Marrow Treatment Unit; Dialysis; Chemotherapy; Inpatient/Outpatient Pharmacy; Phone Switch; Main IT Servers; Admin Areas; etc. b. Exhaust Fans - equipment that controls exhausting of hazardous or unpleasant air particulates such as Sterilization, Decontamination, Clinical Lab, Bio-Safety Lab, Ethylene Oxide, bathrooms, etc. c. Chilled Water Distribution - equipment that supplies and controls chilled water flow to air handling and medical (MRI) equipment throughout the Hospital. d. Steam Distribution - equipment that supplies and controls steam flow to air handling equipment and sterilizers throughout the Hospital. e. Domestic Hot Water - equipment that supplies and controls hot water flow and temperature to sinks and showers throughout the Hospital. f. Fire Alarm - software that controls dampers and air handling equipment that provides safety during the event of a fire. g. Fire Suppression - equipment that supplies water to the sprinkler system that activates during the event of a fire. h. Lighting - expected to change lamps, ballast, and/or switches especially during evening-midnight shifts. i. Temperature/Humidity - software that monitors and alarms when sensitive areas are out of range. j. Research & Lab Freezers - software that monitors and alarms when freezers with patient and/or research related specimens are out of range. -Conducts periodic rounds of building service equipment and documents operating parameters and inspection of key systems and components and takes corrective action when equipment is not operating within normal parameters. -When the building management program is mal-functioning or not communicating with equipment incumbent must make manual adjustments to the equipment's controls and hardware to achieve desired results. This individual monitor area weather conditions, and if required, adjusts the Energy Management System (EMS) to compensate for extreme hot or cold weather conditions. The individual must make independent decisions regarding the distribution of steam and chilled water during extreme weather conditions. Incumbent is responsible for maintaining a safe environment conducive to patient care and safety. -Leaves job site and shop in clean and safe condition. Material and debris are cleaned on an ongoing basis during the job. Upon completion of the job the area is cleaned, swept, and mopped as needed, and left ready for the housekeeping staff to do the final cleaning. Tools, equipment, chemicals, and material are secured in the work cart so that it poses no risk to patients, staff, employees, or public. Work Schedule: Shifts (rotating) include: 8:00a.m. to 4:00p.m., 4:00p.m. to Midnight, Midnight to 8:00a.m. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description Title/PD#: Electronic Industrial Controls Mechanic/PDHA671-00470-A Relocation and Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required PHYSICAL EFFORT: Incumbent works from ladders, scaffolding, platforms, motorized high lift, etc. as well as other hard to reach places. Incumbent stands, stoops, bends, kneels, crawls, climbs and works in tiring and uncomfortable positions for extended periods of time. Incumbent frequently lifts and carries tools, parts, equipment, and material that weigh up to 20 pounds and less often up to 40 pounds. Occasionally lifts or moves, with assistance, moderately heavy object weighing more than 40 pounds. WORKING CONDITIONS: Duties are normally accomplished in a climate-controlled area and in the pipe and Interstitial spaces. These spaces can be hot, dusty, and poorly illuminated. Incumbent is subject to cuts, scrapes, splinters and burns due to the tools and materials used. Incumbent is subject to dirt, dust, spray, fumes, and odors from accomplishing job.

Requirements

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 All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. 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. Pre-Employment/Post-Employment Physical Examination: May be required, depending on the needs of the organization 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.

Qualifications and evaluation

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Applicants will be referred in the order in which they were received.

How to apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 08/26/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13041604. 1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. 2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center. Beginning September 27, 2025, Federal agencies will only accept resumes up to two pages in length to comply with the Merit Hiring Plan. Resumes longer than two pages will result in ineligibility for further consideration for the position. USAJOBS will not allow you to upload or build resumes longer than two pages, and you will need to update the resumes in your profile before applying for a job. Resumes should include information relevant to the knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies of the position to which you are applying. VA is unable to make assumptions about qualifications if not clearly listed. Resumes must be legible so they can be reviewed for eligibility, minimum qualifications and other position requirements listed in the job announcement. If initial application submission is updated and resubmitted with a new resume, only the most current resume will be reviewed for consideration. Your resume must be 5MB or less. We recommend saving and uploading your resume as a PDF to maintain formatting and number of pages. We also accept GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, TXT, PDF, ODT or Word (DOC or DOCX). We do not accept PDF portfolio files. We recommend using a sans-serif font size like Lato, if available. Other widely available options are Calibri, Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, Open San Source Sans Pro, Roboto or Noro Sans. Make your page margins 0.5 inches. Consider using 14-point size font for titles and 10-point for the main text in your resume. The resume builder can help you create a resume using these recommendations and uses the information in your USAJOBS profile to help you get started. Helpful Hints for Creating a Two-Page Resume: Prioritize most relevant and recent experience Use concise, results focused language Align language from the job announcement Focus on demonstrating skills and competencies Remove outdated or unrelated experience Use the USAJOBS resume builder Additional guidance on this new requirement and resume building tools can be found at: https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/page-limit https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/merit-hiring-plan-resources/applicant-guidance-on-the-two-page-resume-limit/ To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

Required documents

Documents Required: Resume Documents Accepted: Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (Schedule A) Disability Letter (VA) License Other (1) Other (2) Other (3) PCS Orders Performance Appraisal Professional Certification Proof of Enrollment Proof of Marriage Status Resume Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Please review the above list(s) to ensure you have included all necessary documents required for your application. Not every applicant will require the same documents, therefore it is the applicants responsibility to ensure that their application package includes all necessary documents to determine qualifications and eligibility for appointment, such as a copy of your SF-50, transcript, ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).You will not be contacted for additional information. Applicants will be deemed ineligible if supporting documentation is not submitted. Veterans' Preference: Since the Direct-Hire Recruitment Authority is being used, traditional Veterans' Preference rules do not apply. Qualified veterans will, however, be given full consideration for this position. Applications are accepted online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.

Additional information

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. 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. 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/. 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 an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.