Summary This position serves as a Utility Systems Operator Leader in the Engineering Service at the Central Virginia VA Health Care System (CVHCS) in Richmond, Virginia under the supervision of the Utility Plant Supervisor, with second level direction provided by the Supervisory Facility Operations Specialist (General Foreman). Responsibilities Duties include but not limited to: Coordinate the operation, maintenance and repair of building service equipment Perform, in addition to Leader duties, those of the Utility Systems Operator/Repairman Passes on instructions from the Utility System Supervisor regarding work assignments and their priority Sees to it that the repairmen/operators have the appropriate tools and test equipment to perform the required task Responsible for parts, ordering and follow-up on delivery, along with training other employees to follow these procedures Verifies progress of work, safety of work environment and practices, causes of work delays, and finally reports completion of task to the Utility Unit Supervisor Verifies the work distribution to be sure that all employees are adequately utilized Keep abreast of current up-to-date Engineering policies and procedures Ensures that the policies and procedures are made known to all employees assigned Performs duties necessary to analyze, modify, overhaul, maintain, repair, calibrate, operate equipment and evaluate a variety of utility system operating equipment Be cross-trained in all areas of operation within the utility system plant in order to be able to assist all operators in a particular area, such as the Energy Control Center Perform as a plant operator on shift rotating basis as needed for scheduled annual and sick leave, emergency annual and unscheduled sick leave Performs scheduled preventive maintenance as directed by the Utility Unit Foreman Work Schedule: 8:00am-4:00pm (Monday-Friday) Position Description Title/PD#: Lead Utility Systems Operator/PD015590 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized 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, 02/16/2026. 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 eligibles are then rated against the remainder of the Job Elements: Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair Interpret Instructions, Specifications (mobile equipment operations) Measuring Instruments Operation of Equipment/Machinery Technical Practices 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/Working Conditions: Work assignments involve standing, stooping, bending, crawling, and frequently working in cramped and awkward posttions, working from ladders, with hightemperatures, and on high pressure systems, cleaning an repairing boiler water and firesides, and lifting from 5 to 50 pound bag drums. Education Additional Information 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.
