Summary This is an entry-level position and is aligned under the Facilities Management Service at the VA Western Colorado HCS. The incumbent serves as a participant in the Technical Career Fields (TCF) Program under the direction of a qualified preceptor. The TCF is a national workforce development program within VHA that was designed to replenish technical staff in critically identified positions. This is a career ladder program that progresses from WG-5 through WG-8 and WG-9. Responsibilities The TCF career fields represent those technical fields where VA-specific knowledge and experience is desirable for success in the field. Individuals selected follow a formal training plan for two years during which they are trained, coached, and supervised by a preceptor. Preceptors are selected annually, through an extensive application process, for their technical expertise, their commitment to training and the suitability of their facility as a training location. *Selectees will be required to sign Mobility, Training, and Continued Service Agreements. This is a developmental position leading to a GS-09, performing assignments intended to broaden skills and provide practical experience leading to progressively more complex assignments performed under progressively less supervision. 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. Duties included but not limited to: Performs light off, operates, secures, and maintains power boilers and auxiliary boiler plant equipment; inspects boilers and auxiliary boiler plant equipment and steam distribution systems. Performs water treatment and chemical testing of boiler feed water chemistry, condensate, softened water chemistry, and particulate levels. Performs water treatment and chemical testing to the chilled water system. Monitor all Boiler Control (BMS) and Chiller (Trane) Room critical alarm/monitoring systems, respond to emergencies, and follow all response procedures per local SOPs. Performs proper safety procedures prior to working on boiler plant equipment, HVAC/R equipment, fan motors, fans, pumps etc. Assists with preventative maintenance (PM), maintenance and repairs of boilers and associated steam production equipment, repairs discovered during performance inspections, normal operations, or as a result of equipment failure. Performs routine maintenance, making adjustments and repairs or replacing any component of the boiler plant equipment, auxiliary boiler plant equipment, steam distribution piping and steam distribution system components. Monitors and performs daily, weekly, and monthly required tasks and inspections, documenting the required EPA and information for regulatory reports; ensures all reports and data are tracked accurately and timely, ensuring that federal and state requirements are met. Performs the following tasks: turn on and operate chillers, and all @types of HVAC/R equipment. Inspect chillers, air handlers, exhaust fans, chilled water systems, etc. Manages and monitors the above ground fuel storage tanks throughout the Grand Junction VA Medical Center Campus, utilizing the computer monitoring and control system. Sets and tunes the combustion of the boilers using automated controls, a preferred controls combustion analyzer, and an O2 analyzer. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Position Description Title/PD#: Utility Systems Repairer-Operator (Technical Career Field (TCF) Trainee)/PD147650 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 identification 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, 06/18/2026. 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: Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading) 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. Position is a Trainee Developmental Target PD from dev PDs 14765-O (WG-5) and PD 147660-O (WG-8), to be promoted at Supervisor discretion. WG-09 -PD 14767-O - Full Performance - to be promoted at Supervisor discretion. Physical Requirements: Works from ladders, scaffolding, and platforms where parts of the system are in hard -to-reach places. Work is carried out in tiring positions such as standing, crouching, stooping, kneeling and prone for long periods of time. Occasionally, the incumbent will be required to lift items in the excess of 70 pounds and 100 pounds with assistance. Working Conditions: Exposed to hazards of refrigerants, fumes, boiler bursts, steam blow backs, flame blow backs, scalding water, burns and electrical shock. Exposed frequently to temperature extremes, high noise levels, drafts, dampness, and water, and noise for work outdoors, exposed to the elements. Incumbent will frequently encounter ladders, catwalks, confined spaces, and be subjected to hazards normally encountered in the trade and may be exposed to asbestos. Education This job does not have an education qualification requirement. 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.
