Summary This position oversees the staffing, maintenance and operations of all steam production and heating, water production, grounds management and mechanized systems for the medical center campus. This position lies, organizationally, within Facilities Management, under the Chief Engineer, directly supervised by the Supervisory Engineer, Operations, Maintenance and Repair. Responsibilities Duties to include, but not limited to: Provides daily direction and instruction in preventive maintenance schedules and shop activities. Conducts performance appraisals, interviews applicants, recommends hiring. Administers staffing requirements, workload assignments, approves leave. Repairs boilers, pumps, valves, regulators, and plant equipment. Conducts plant rounds, reads gauges/meters, and makes adjustments. Operates emergency generator systems. Conducts chemical tests; adjusts water treatment. Writes technical specifications for equipment/building modifications. Records instrument readings during boiler rounds. Performs tests on boiler water, steam flow, fuel usage, pressure. Reads/interprets blueprints, schematics, and technical manuals. Interprets work assignments and ensures subordinates understand requirements. Works safely with steam >300°F, chemicals, noise, and electrical hazards. Performs physical maintenance including lifting, kneeling and climbing. Other duties as assigned Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30am-4:00pm Position Description Title/PD#: Utility Systems Operator Supervisor/PD14649O Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment Driver's License Requirement: Incumbent must possess a current, valid state-issued driver's license for this position. (Please do NOT submit a copy of your license with your application package. You will be required to show your valid driver's license at the time of interview.) 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, 05/26/2026. 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. PREFERRED EXPERIENCE: Preferred Experience: Knowledge of the following: Boiler operations on both natural gas and fuel oil; boiler safety device testing; computer controls and operations; use of Excel, Word and various other programs for administration purposes; records keeping for equipment; underground fuel systems operation and record keeping; water plant knowledge for micro filtration systems; EPA reporting for all tests required for potable water; distribution systems for potable water; collections systems; ordering/researching parts; DEQ requirements for underground fuel tanks and potable water systems; ordering fuel for various equipment around the facility and also propane; pumps, strainers, steam heating, HVAC systems, electrical and electronics systems to include low voltage up to high voltage; and LOTO experience for steam and electrical. 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: Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (Other Than Blueprint Reading) Ability to Lead or Supervise Dexterity and Safety Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair Operation of Equipment/Machinery Technical Practices (Theoretical, Precise, Artistic) Use of Measuring Instruments taffing notification today, so I just wanted to make sure everything was received successfully. When you have a moment, could you please review and provide your approval so we can move forward with posting? Thank you so much - I really appreciate your help. 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: Regular walking tours of the plant, main hospital, and outbuildings to conduct inspections of equipment require the Incumbent to spend approximately four to six hours daily walking and standing, with approximately three to four hours daily doing desk @type work. Some lifting may be required. which include some lifting, kneeling, standing, climbing and stooping. Maintenance and repairs frequently require working in awkward and cramped positions and lifting up to fifty (50) pounds. Frequent standing, walking, and climbing are required while checking equipment. Working Conditions: Work is performed on a rotating shift basis. Plant coverage is 24/7 /365. Most work is done inside with routine exposure to: surrounding temperatures in excess of 100 degrees Fahrenheit, chemicals used in boiler, chiller, and water treatment, steam in excess of 300 degrees Fahrenheit, loud noise, and occasional inclement weather. The use of protective clothing or gear, such as rubber aprons, steel-toed boots, hearing protection, safety goggles, gloves or face shield, is frequently required. Incumbent will be issued with arc flash rated uniforms, to include: pants, long sleeve shirts, and cotton tee shirts that are required to be worn in full while on duty. Incumbent may also be exposed to the following dangers: Electrical shock, Hydrocarbon refrigerants, chemical splashes and burns, scalds, cuts, bruises, or broken bones. Education There is no education requirement for this Federal Wage System (FWS) position. Qualification is based solely on your experience demonstrating the ability to lead or supervise in a boiler plant or utility systems environment, as shown in your resume. 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.
