Summary This position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), at the Salt Lake City VA Medical Center (VAMC) in the Engineering Department. The primary purpose of the Utility Systems Repairer-Operator (USRO) Lead combines the duties of a Boiler Plant Operator and a Boiler Plant Equipment Mechanic and is responsible for the operation, maintenance, and repair of the boiler plant and auxiliary utility systems. Responsibilities Major duties include but are not limited to: Boiler Plant Operator duties: Operating all controls of the boiler plant in both automatic and manual modes of operation, as the situation requires. Perform hourly rounds on equipment and record readings in accordance with the facility's policies and procedures. Maintain the boiler plant logbooks and records and provide proper shift turnover too the oncoming operator. Operate and monitor graphic control systems and various metering systems for the boiler plant. Analyze the chemistry of the boiler water, feed water, water softening, and condensate systems using standard chemical tests. If any of these tests are found to be out of specification, take required actions to correct the discrepancy, which can include adjusting the pumps or modifying the electronic control system. Communicate with appropriate personnel per medical center policy concerning station fire alarms, disaster notification, and various other alarm systems. Performing various housekeeping functions within the boiler plant. Operation, as needed, of the three 30,000-gallon below-ground propane storage tanks, the associated air mixing equipment, and all metering and monitoring equipment. Monitoring the Sensidyne Gas Detection system for any potential buildup of combustible gases or carbon monoxide in the boiler plant, propane yard, or co-gen plant spaces. Ensure that all boilers and associated equipment are operated using IAW manufacturer recommendations and VA Boiler Plant Operations policies. Boiler Plant Equipment Mechanic duties: Responsible for overall plant scheduled preventative maintenance. Rebuilding and aligning pumps. Replacing items such as mechanical seals, bearings, valves, pipe fittings, and motors. Repairing insulation, re-packing valves, and re-piping. Opening and performing internal inspections of the boilers and tanks throughout the plant and cleaning or repairing them as needed, in accordance with the SLC AMC Engineering Department's Confined Space Procedures. Maintenance and repair of the three 30,000-gallon below-ground propane storage tanks, the air mixing equipment, associated piping, and all metering and monitoring equipment. Performing operational checks and calibrations on plant equipment such as pressure gauges, thermometers, trip switches, and level sensors, and replacing them as necessary. Pipefitting on boilers, steam lines, gas lines, and water systems. Responsible for the regular testing, adjustment, and possible replacement of all boiler plant safety devices in accordance with the boiler manufacturers' technical manuals and the latest edition of the VHA Boiler Plant Safety Device Testing Manuel. The installation of new equipment and systems as needed. This can involve running piping, tubing, wiring, and conduits. Document all work performed in the Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture (VistA) electronic work order system. The USRO Lead oversees at least five Utility System Repairer-Operators. Additional duties managed by the URSO Lead include creating maintenance schedules, outage planning, and tools and parts inventory, and ordering. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Day Shifts including Weekends. Position Description Title/PD#: Utility Systems Repairer-Operator Leader/PD014781 Physical Requirements: The USRO Lead frequently works in confined areas in and around boilers and auxiliary equipment. The job requires moderate to strenuous effort and long periods of walking, standing, climbing, bending, and crouching. When performing repairs, they may occasionally work from scaffolds and platforms and may perform strenuous work while standing, sitting, or lying down. Workers frequently lift and carry parts, tools, chemical supplies, or other equipment weighing up to 50 pounds unassisted, and may sometimes be required to move items weighing over that amount with the assistance of other workers or weight handling equipment. They will also be required to work a rotating shift schedule, which can be arduous. Working Conditions: The USRO Lead generally works indoors but may occasionally work outside for short periods, where they could be exposed to inclement weather conditions. They can be subject to high temperatures, constant noise, rotating machinery, chemicals, and other hazards. While doing maintenance and repairs, they are also exposed to the potential for cuts, abrasions, burns, and other potential contacts with hazards. To minimize the dangers from these and other similar conditions, they must follow all prescribed safety guidelines and wear all appropriate personal protective equipment. 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. 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) Lead or Supervise Technical Practices Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment 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.
