Job Announcement – Heating,Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Mechanic (Revised)

APPLICANTS WHO RESPONDED TO VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENTS #23-2018  NEED NOT APPLY AS THEIR APPLICATION WILL BE CONSIDERED

REVISION:                                         Revised closing date.

U.S. Mission:                                     U.S. Embassy Sofia

Announcement Number:                 2018–Sofia-23

Position Title:                                    HEATING, VENTILATION AND AIR CONDITIONING (HVAC) MECHANIC

Opening Period:                                July 27, 2018 – August 19, 2018

Series/Grade:                                    LE 1210 06

For More Info:                                   Facility Management Office

Mailing Address: U.S. Embassy Sofia, Human Resources Office
16 Kozyak, 1408 Sofia
E-mail Address:  Sofia_Applications@state.gov

Who May Apply:                              All Interested Applicants /All Sources

For USEFM actual FS salary determined by Washington D.C.

Security Clearance Required:     Local Security Certification

Duration Appointment:                Indefinite subject to successful completion of probationary period

Marketing Statement:  We encourage you to read and understand the Eight (8) Qualities of Overseas Employees before you apply https://careers.state.gov/downloads/files/eight-qualities-of-overseas-employees.

Summary: The U.S. Mission in Sofia, Bulgaria is seeking eligible and qualified applicants for the position of Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Mechanic.

The work schedule for this position is full time – 40 hours per week.

Start date: Candidate must be able to begin working within a one month of receipt of agency authorization and/or clearances/certifications or their candidacy may end.

Supervisory Position:  No

Duties:  The incumbent reports directly to the Supervisory Building Engineer.  The position holder is employed as a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Technician to accomplish skilled maintenance and repair work at the journeyman HVAC technician level, to International Building Code (IBC) standards, throughout all facilities on the New Embassy Compound (NEC) to include office buildings, out buildings, ancillary structures, and residential owned/leased properties.  Work assignments  include installation and repair of HVAC systems,  hardware, associated peripherals components, configuration/layout of equipment and system components, calibration and optimization of equipment performance through preventive maintenance, repairs  to the various HVAC distribution systems including direct exchange (DX) line sets, chillers, large central supply and return air handling units, packaged A/C units, split pack A/C or heat-pump units, filtration cabinets and compartments, fan coil units, variable air volume (VAV) units, HVAC ductwork, evaporator coils,  condensing units, humidifiers, manual and motorized valves, chilled water piping, circulation pumps, condensate pumps, damper motors, gravity and motorized dampers, controllers, actuators, HVAC water treatment systems and other HVAC components and control devices.

Qualifications and Evaluations

EDUCATION: Completion of vocational high school with journeyman level certification in the HVAC field or secondary school and certification from an accredited institute recognized as producing journeyman level technicians with specialization in the HVAC field is required.

Requirements:

EXPERIENCE:  A minimum of three years of journey-level experience in the installation, operation, repair and maintenance of commercial or industrial HVAC/mechanical refrigeration systems is required. Work experience operating, maintaining, or repairing 100 ton chillers or larger, and large-air-handling units is required. Work experience must demonstrate a progression of increased responsibility working on complex sophisticated equipment and components, including operation and maintenance, and troubleshooting.

JOB KNOWLEDGE:

  • Superior knowledge, exceptional technical skills, and a thorough understanding of heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems with an in-depth understanding of thermodynamics and how they apply to HVAC theories and principles are required.
  • Good knowledge in HVAC controls including motor starters, thermostats, humidistats, variable frequency drive (VFD) motors and controllers, motorized and gravity dampers, and building automation systems and sensors is required.
  • Thorough understanding of International Building Code standards, mechanical / ASHREA standards, indoor air quality standards, building pressurization, ductwork sizing and air flow principles, and fire and life safety codes is required.

Technical knowledge will be tested.

Evaluations:

LANGUAGE:

Level 3 (good working knowledge) – write/read/speak English and Bulgarian are required. English proficiency will be tested.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

  • Superior skills and abilities in the following areas are required: troubleshooting, diagnosing, and repairing HVAC systems and components; taking and interpreting equipment readings with various meters to determine system performance; skilled using of all sorts of hand tools, power tools, and specialty tools typical of the HVAC trade to install, remove, update, and/or determine appropriate repairs to any component of a HVAC system including control sensors, controllers, motors and dampers. Must have be able to braze and solder.
  • Good skills using the MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Power Point, etc.) software are required;
  • Ability to apply math and algebra skills when sizing equipment calculating heating loads and atmospheric pressures is required;
  • Ability to read and interpret construction and as-built drawings, and manufacturers technical literature is required;
  • Able to research the internet to find replacement parts for systems and equipment; and,
  • Knowledge of troubleshooting techniques and industry best practices to correct/resolve HVAC issues quickly is required
  • Good skill in comprehending engineering reports, specifications and related materials in English is required.
  • Abilities to respond to emergency situations in an efficient and timely manner to effect immediate repairs is required;
  • Ability to work in various adverse conditions such as tight or enclosed spaces, heights, and temperature extremes, indoors or outdoors to complete work assignments is required;
  • A driver’s license (category B) is required.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to handle a large workload and multiple tasks are required.

Qualifications:

All applicants under consideration will be required to pass medical and security certifications.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO):  The U.S. Mission provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation.

Benefits:  The US Mission provides competitive benefits package in addition to the base pay salary.

The pay plan is assigned at the time of the conditional offer letter by the HR Office.

Other information:

HIRING PREFERENCE SELECTION PROCESS:  Applicants in the following hiring preference categories are extended a hiring preference in the order listed below.  Therefore, it is essential that these applicants accurately describe their status on the application. Failure to do so may result in a determination that the applicant is not eligible for a hiring preference.

HIRING PREFERENCE ORDER:

(1)          AEFM / USEFM who is a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran*

(2)          AEFM / USEFM

(3)          FS on LWOP and CS with reemployment rights **

* IMPORTANT:  Applicants who claim status as a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran must submit a copy of their most recent DD-214 (“Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty”), equivalent documentation, or certification.  A “certification” is any written document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions within 120 days after the certification is submitted by the applicant. The certification letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service.  Acceptable documentation must be submitted in order for the preference to be given.

** This level of preference applies to all Foreign Service employees on LWOP and CS with re-employment rights back to their agency or bureau.

For more information (i.e., what is an EFM, USEFM, AEFM, MOH, etc.) and for additional employment considerations, please visit the following link:  https://careers.state.gov/downloads/files/definitions-for-va

How to Apply:  All candidates must be able to obtain and hold a local security certification. Applicants must submit a Universal Application for Employment (DS-174) which is available on U.S. Embassy Sofia website https://bg.usembassy.gov/embassy/jobs/.

To apply for this position, applicants should electronically or via mail submit the documents listed below.

Only applications received in the Human Resources Office before the closing date of this job notice will be considered. Only short–listed candidates will be contacted for testing and interview.

 

Required Documents:  Please provide the required documentation listed below with your application:

  • DS-174
  • Residency and/or Work Permit for non-Bulgarian citizen
  • DD-214 – Member Copy 4, Letter from Veterans’ Affairs, or other supporting documentation

(if applicable)

  • SF-50 (if applicable)
  • Letter(s) of recommendation (if available)
  • List of references

What to Expect Next:  Applicants who are invited to take a language or skills test, or who are selected for an interview will be contacted via email.

For further information:  the complete position description listing all of the duties, responsibilities, required qualifications, etc. may be obtained by contacting the Human Resources office.

Thank you for your application and your interest in working at the U.S. Mission in Sofia, Bulgaria.