Summary The incumbent serves as a Utilities System Repairer-Operator within the Facilities Management Service located at the Joliet CBOC. The incumbent is supervised by the Boiler Plant Operator Supervisor who will be located primarily at Hines VA Hospital but will also be at the Joliet CBOC. Responsibilities This position is located at the Joliet CBOC located in Joliet, IL. The work involves testing, maintaining, troubleshooting, repairing, operations, and documenting all low pressure/ hot water boilers and associated systems on campus and air conditioning related equipment. Boiler Plant Duties: Test, maintain, troubleshoot, repair, and document all low pressure/ hot water boilers and associated systems on campus. Incumbent works from oral instructions, blueprints, work orders, SOPs, and directives and policies. Complete all required boiler safety device testing for the low pressure/ hot water boilers. Incumbent will take readings every 4 hours, monitoring chemical levels and adjusting the chemical makeup, adjusting the boiler settings and operation. Perform preventive maintenance inspection of low pressure/hot water boilers and auxiliary equipment and make minor repairs and adjustments to prevent break down and to increase efficiency equipment. Air Conditioning Equipment Duties: Responds to emergency calls such as no heat or other troubles during operation and diagnose troubles and make necessary adjustments or repairs. Respond to outbuilding trouble calls, domestic hot and cold-water systems, troubleshoot, repair, and maintain HVAC equipment. Perform the full range of operations, maintenance and repair of steam and hot water boilers, chillers, air handlers, including related equipment and systems throughout the campus. Conduct inspections of the facilities and equipment to ensure all meet OSHA, Life Safety, Joint Commission and industry standards. Pipefitter Duties: Repairs high pressure Johnson control valves, high pressure heat exchangers, check valves, pack high pressure gate valves, repairs high pressure bolted flanges, expansion joints, expansion tanks, fan coils, convectors, automatic relief valves, gauges, and other monitoring equipment. Install and repair high pressure circulating and condensate lines and pumps, tests systems and equipment on completion of repair or modification to insure proper operation. Is sometimes required to make emergency repairs on high temperature and high-pressure hot water systems. Works on piping from size 1/8" to 12" diameter; installs steam radiators, fins, Modine Heating Units, and other @types of heating systems. Is responsible for the maintenance and repair of high-pressure steam traps and steam operated coils. Drain and refill piping risers for maintenance work. *The incumbent must comply with any EPA certifications and/or requirements. The regulations require technicians to observe practices that minimize releases of refrigerant to the environment and to be a certified technician. YOU MUST UPLOAD AND ATTACH A COPY OF YOUR UNIVERSAL REFRIGERANT CERTIFICATION OR CARD TO YOUR APPLICATION. Work Schedule: To be discussed in interviews. The shift will be rotating and includes holidays and weekends. Location: Joliet VA Clinic 1201 Eagle Street, Joliet, IL 60432 Position Description Title/PD#: Utility Systems Repairer Operator (Joliet CBOC)/PD13158A 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 Subject to background/security investigation Pre-employment physical 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 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 or 2-year trial 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 or trial 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, 02/05/2026. 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 eligible are then rated against the remainder of the Job Elements: 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. Physical Requirements: Work assignments require high physical effort. The employee is frequently required to perform heavy lifting up to 50 pounds. They are continually required to stand while working and must frequently climb ladders and scaffolds. Frequent standing, walking, bending, crouching, reaching, and stooping is required. Routine climbing and work in high places on ladders and roof tops is be required. Working Conditions: Work involves frequently climbs ladders and scaffolding and works in awkward positions. Assists in lifting and carrying assemblies to be installed. Subject to the hazards of the trade such as cuts, bruises, dust, dirt danger of falls from ladders or scaffolds, eye and hand injuries when working with power equipment or occasionally subject to work in foul air where animals or pets have been kept. May work on "locked" wards and contagious wards. May be exposed to moderate or high noise levels, sawdust, various fumes, and other hazards. May work outdoors and on buildings and may be exposed to inclement weather. Education Additional Information 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.
