Summary The position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), at the George E. Whalen VA Medical Center (VAMC) in the Engineering Operations Section. The primary purpose of this position is to manage and control all identified risks within the domestic and industrial water systems. The incumbent performs as a journeyman level water treatment system operator, and systems quality assurance technician for the VA Salt Lake City Medical Center (VASLCMC). Responsibilities Major Duties Include but are not limited to: Prevention and control of Legionella, aerobic bacteria, and other waterborne pathogens or agents commonly found in both potable and non-potable water systems and equipment. Sampling, testing, and flushing of water systems, and the operation and maintenance of all treatment and monitoring systems. Routine maintenance including the adjustment of valves, controllers, programs, meters and pumps to control, monitor, and treat domestic or industrial water systems in the medical center. Operate, maintain, and perform minor repairs on chlorine dioxide supplemental disinfection injection systems and maintain any meters and related equipment installed as part of the domestic or industrial water treatment systems. Chemically treat incoming city-supplied water. Perform routine flushing to maintain desired oxidant concentration levels. This includes identifying 2 of 3 and monitoring of low-flow outlets, conducting risk assessments, and adjusting flushing routines to achieve desired oxidant levels. Operate hydro-chlorinators, and similar @types of equipment. Manage terminal device cleanliness for devices such as sink laminar-flow devices, showerheads, misters, and nozzles. Perform routine measurement of water temperatures at distal points and adjust to ensure scald-prevention devices are appropriate and functioning properly. Identify potential risks for acquiring and transmitting infections. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Full-Time, Sunday-Thursday, 0700-1630 Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Sunday-Thursday Compressed Position Description Title/PD#: Water Treatment Plant Operator/PD13540A Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved. 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, 06/01/2026. 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: Accountability Civil Engineering Compliance Plumbing and Pipefitting Problem Solving 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: Incumbent must be in satisfactory physical and mental condition and fit for duty at all times, excluding body maintenance items, such as colds, headaches and surgical procedures. Work requires good coordination as well as manual dexterity. Work requires mental concentration. The applicant will be required to perform actions such as lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying objects of varying weights, sizes, and shapes. The applicant will be walking, crouching, standing for potentially long periods of time. Work is performed in mechanical, administrative, and patient care areas as well as outside in inclement weather. The incumbent may also work in areas that are wet, hot, cold, or under-ventilated, such as crawl spaces and mechanical rooms. They may also be exposed to contagious disease(s) when working in patient care areas. 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.
