Summary Employee serves as a Utility Systems Repairer-Operator within the Maintenance Division of Facilities Engineering Service located at the Veterans Healthcare System in Minneapolis, MN Responsibilities Duties will include, but may not be limited to the following: Routinely collects water samples, testing to ensure proper chemical balance and adds chemicals as necessary to the cooling towers, hydronic heating systems, chilled water loops and boilers. Troubleshoots the chemical injection systems in the even of detecting improper dosages of chemicals, per given quantity of medium to be treated. Keeps comprehensive logs to track @types and amounts of chemical expended, test results, observations and other pertinent information. Performs Journeyman level boiler maintenance repairs. Inspects, troubleshoots and repairs electric motors, chilled water pumps and shutoff or isolation valves. Repairs leaks to piping by re-torquing fittings or bolting on new components. Monitors Building Automation System control points to check operation of and troubleshoot defective fans, motors, air handlers, compressors, pumps, etc. Repairs or replaces belts, motors, damper actuators, or control valves. Cleans equipment, replaces air filters and cleans air handler chilled water strainers. Adjusts, repairs, replaces, and cleans thermostats and sensors of HVAC and refrigeration systems. Conducts active monitoring of the early start-up and shutdown of automatic guided vehicles (GAV) and performs system reports to ensure food and sterile processing supply deliveries are on time. Checks fire alarm panel during alarm events. Troubleshoots and repairs system faults, automatic doors, tube system faults, trash systems, etc. Performs repairs to windows and doors and associate closer hardware; repairs roofs, expansion joints, or tuck pointing to minimum water intrusion. Repairs leaks in pressurized potable water piping and sanitary drain piping by re-torquing loose fittings or replacing components. Replaces packing on leading shutoff and isolation valves; unplugs toilets, sinks, drinking fountains, bedpan hoppers, etc. Checks operation of pumps; water, medical gases, building air, vacuum and sanitary sewage systems and perform repairs. Performs electrical safety inspections on patient beds and miscellaneous appliances; changes and replaces lamps and light ballasts; resets circuit breakers and replaces fuses. Monitors operation of emergency generations during power outages. Provides backup service for Fire Department on emergency calls. Provides mechanical and electrical assistance; provides crucial building and system information for rapid and safe response from outside agencies during emergencies. WORK SCHEDULE: Full-Time, Rotating Shifts to include days, nights, weekends and holidays to provide 24-hours continuous shift coverage. Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Pre-employment physical required Subject to background/security investigation 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. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) 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 PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS: Prolonged physical effort is not routine. Occasionally lifts objects over 50 pounds and lifting equipment is provided for heavier objects. Some standing, stooping, bending, crawling, and working on ladders (occasionally operating equipment) is required. Most work is performed indoors with adequate light and ventilation. Occasionally work is performed in areas of confined space. While working in the central boiler and chiller plant, exposure to temperatures in excess of 100ºF is common. Workers are also exposed to extreme temperature changes while working on outdoor cooling towers, roof exhausts and ventilating fans. Employee is subject to rotating machinery, grease, dirt, chemicals, oils and fumes. Noise level is often high, and hearing protection is often required to prevent hearing loss. Other protective gears such as goggles, gloves and rubber aprons are required when working with chemicals or performing various other tasks. Employee works a regular, rotating shift, to include nights, weekends and holidays to provide 24-hours continuous shift coverage. Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Federal Wage System Qualifications. For this position, the job element method is used to match what you, the applicant, can do against what the work calls for. Your knowledge, skills and abilities will be compared to the knowledge, skills and abilities (called job elements) needed for success. Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element (WG-2 and higher only; screen-outs are not applicable to WG-1). Applicants who appear to meet the screen out element are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated from consideration. The potential eligibles are rated against the remainder of the job elements. While a specific length of training and experience is not required, your responses to the questionnaire must be supported by detailed descriptions of your experience on your resume. SCREEN-OUT: Requires the ability to perform the work of a Utility Systems Repairer-Operator without more than normal supervision. Related experience includes working in a Commercial/Industrial environment applying the technical and mechanical techniques and procedures to repair, replace, troubleshoot and diagnose, and inspect major building utility categories of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, plumbing, pipefitting, electrical, chemical water treatment, boilers and chillers, and automatic transport systems; reading, interpreting and using blueprints and schematics to the various trades above; maintaining and using a wide variety of hand tools, power tools, and test equipment common to the above trades; and maintaining maintenance logs. (Resume(s) must clearly support experience, including @type of environment, as described above to be creditable). (NOTE: Experience in a residential setting (i.e., personal home, apartments, etc.) is not typically qualifying for this position. Experience in a hospital/healthcare setting is preferred) You will be rated on the following Job Elements as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading) Materials Measuring Instruments Technical Practices Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment Without more than normal supervision IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. 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. 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, 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. Education Additional Information Note: Per "Executive Order 14251: Exclusions from Federal Labor-Management Relations Programs", this position is no longer eligible for bargaining unit participation. 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. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. 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. 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.
