Summary This position is located in the Central Utility Plant, Engineering Section of Facilities Management Service Line. The incumbent serves as a Utility Systems Repairer/Operator (USRO) and is responsible for boiler, chiller, and domestic water system repair and operations. During non-regular duty hours when there is no other staff member present, the incumbent has shift responsibility and serves as the "operator in charge". Responsibilities Duties associated with this position include, but are not limited to the following: Operates all equipment located in the Boiler Plant inclusive of three heating boilers and two power boilers as well as all subordinate support systems. Start, operate, adjust, stop, maintain, and perform various operational repairs on single or multiple fuel power boilers and associated auxiliary and control equipment. Maintain efficient and safe combustion performance through the use of manual, automatic, or digital controls systems via monitoring and making corresponding adjustments. Operators utilize a variety of controls output data and manual readings to determine necessary adjustments and corrective actions to ensure proper boiler operations or address changing load requirements. Operate, adjust, and maintain auxiliary support equipment including but not limited to condensate pumps, deaeration tanks, forced air draft fans, and emergency electrical generators. Monitor and make operational adjustment to maximize combustion efficiency. Observe and take readings from numerous data points to detect danger, changing load properties, potential carryover or other output quality concerns, and calculation of overall plant thermal efficiency. Analyze feedwater chemistry as well as boiler water and direct condensate to determine chemical properties. Determine the necessary treatment actions (manual boiler blow downs, make-up water modifications) and any modifications to automated chemical feed systems to achieve parameters. Performs all maintenance actions germane to the position or as per manufacture documentation. Identifying necessary additions, deletions, and modifications to said program. Required to inspect, maintain, repair, and replace system components including but not limited to steam traps, pressure reducing valves, condensate receivers and pumps, and heat exchangers. Perform hourly checks of all operating equipment in the central utility plant, making adjustments and minor repairs as necessary. Ability to use various power and hand tools in the repair of equipment, i.e., drill presses, portable hand drills, bench grinders, and pipe threading machines. Responsibility to initiate procurement actions under the micro-purchase threshold level in support plant operations via market research, development of requirements, and initiation of funding allocation when necessary. Monitoring, adjusting and maintaining chlorination equipment, testing samples and recording results, and completing reporting requirements in accordance with VA and State Requirements. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 7:30AM to 4:00PM Position Description Title/PD#: Utility Systems Repairer-Operator/PD11249A Physical Requirements: Frequently work in confined areas in and around equipment. Requires moderate to strenuous effort and long periods of walking, standing, climbing, bending, and crouching. Frequently lift and carries parts, materials, and chemical supplies weighing up to 40 pounds unassisted. Occasionally, and with assistance, carries items weighing over 40 pounds. Working Conditions: Works inside and outside at heights up to 50 feet. Subject to extreme temperature changes from a +105 to a -40 degrees. Subject to high noise level which requires wearing of hearing protection. Work inside boiler drums (when doing major overhaul) is tight and hot. Work is dirty, greasy, hot, cold and wet. Employee is subject to cuts, bruises, traffic hazards and is exposed to danger from boiler explosion, high temperature water and steam lines, electrical shock, falls, burns, scalds, chemicals, broken bones, explosive chemical or conventional munitions, carbon monoxide poisoning, and gas and oil fumes. Other Significant Facts: Incumbent must report for work during periods of hazardous road and weather conditions. Work is performed on a 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 3 shift rotating tour of duty. Incumbent will be subject to rotate work hours through all three shifts schedules. Incumbent could be subjected to hazards normally encountered in the trade. This position requires working rotating shifts and overtime. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job Subject to a background/suitability investigation Designated and/or random drug testing may be required Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 A complete application package; including Resume, Transcripts, etc. is required 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 identification 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) 5 CFR 330.502 - General restriction on movement after competitive appointment applies. 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 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: Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading) Materials Measuring Instruments Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment Without more than normal supervision 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 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 (TJO). Please visit the Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP), va.gov/EMPLOYEE/docs/The-Fair-Chance-to-Compete-Act.pdf for more information. 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.
