Summary Utility System Repairer/Operator (USRO) in the Boiler Plant, Engineering Service. This position is under the immediate supervision of the Boiler Plant Operator Supervisor and performs shift work at the Dayton VA Medical Center. The incumbent performs the operation, repair, and maintenance of steam boilers, accessories and auxiliary equipment. Responsibilities Duties include but not limited to the following: Disassemble and repair various sizes and @types of heavy industrial heating equipment. Clean parts using solvent, steam, and air. Fit parts and reassemble units, including checking, removing, and replacing bearings, gauges, pressure regulators, valves, heating coils, traps, burners, and related components. Repair fireboxes under boilers and refractories in boiler fireboxes; replace baffles and tubes in boilers by rolling ends. Wash boilers and clean fireboxes. Remove and install equipment by bolting/unbolting from frames. Measure, cut, and thread pipes of various sizes. Read and interpret maintenance-repair manuals and prints. Overhaul feed water pumps, condensate return pumps, brine pumps, and fuel oil pumps (steam or electrically driven). Overhaul pump governors, feed water regulators, valves (gate, globe, needle), and pressure-reducing diaphragms. Test and treat water for steam production and cooling systems; maintain proper water levels and constant steam pressure. Operate and monitor four high-pressure boilers (120,000 lbs/hr) and associated equipment, including storage tank deaerator, pre-heater, steam station, flow controls, water softener, high-pressure pumps, air compressors, air dryers, and related controls. Read and analyze meters, gauges, and valve control settings; adjust controls to maintain safe and efficient boiler and auxiliary equipment operation. Adjust fuel and air ratios for optimum efficiency. Maintain predetermined boiler pressures while meeting changing load requirements. Engage auxiliary and accessory equipment (induced draft fans, soot blowers, fuel handling equipment, valves, softeners). Perform pre-operational checks before starting boilers and firing equipment. Apply judgment in boiler operation under emergency conditions (boiler failure, power outages, low/high water conditions). Test and set boiler safety devices per established safety program. Maintain shift operating logs, record meter readings, calculate boiler efficiency, fuel and water consumption, and document fuel receipts. Report problems and activities related to plant operation. Operate standby emergency diesel-electric generator during primary power outages; maintain operating logs and perform required maintenance. Perform all preventive and predictive maintenance to ensure safe and efficient operation of machinery and equipment. Respond to all calls after normal working hours. Work Schedule: The schedule will rotate and can include any shift on any day of the week (Monday through Sunday). Position Description Title/PD#: Utility Systems Repairer-Operator/PD02185A Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Not Available Telework: Not available Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required 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. Beginning September 27, 2025, Federal agencies will only accept resumes up to two pages in length to comply with the Merit Hiring Plan. Resumes longer than two pages will result in ineligibility for further consideration for the position. USAJOBS will not allow you to upload or build resumes longer than two pages, and you will need to update the resumes in your profile before applying for a job. Resumes should include information relevant to the knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies of the position to which you are applying. VA is unable to make assumptions about qualifications if not clearly listed. Resumes must be legible so they can be reviewed for eligibility, minimum qualifications and other position requirements listed in the job announcement. 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: Dexterity and Safety Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading) Materials Measuring Instruments Operation of Equipment/Machinery Reliability And Dependability Troubleshooting Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment 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. 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 following will be communicated to applicants for VA employment in a testing designated position and will also be included in all VA vacancy announcements for such positions: All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drugs use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. 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.
