Summary This position serves as a Utility Systems Maintenance Work Leader located at the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center, Poplar Bluff, MO and assigned to the Central Boiler Plant of the Facilities Management Service (FMS). Responsibilities Boiler Plant Operations Operates, maintains, troubleshoots, and repairs three 250 HP high pressure fire-tube boilers and all associated auxiliary equipment. Performs adjustments and calibrations on combustion controls, feedwater systems, economizers, blow down equipment, air compressors, and gas systems. Conducts regular testing of boiler water chemistry and performs treatment to maintain optimal conditions. Maintains operational readiness of all boiler plant systems and holds the qualifications to independently operate the boilers across all shifts. Ensures maintenance of parts inventory and minimizes equipment downtime. Plumbing, Pipefitting, Water Treatment, and Legionella Mitigation Installs, repairs, and maintains plumbing systems including fixtures, supply lines, drains, traps, and mixing valves. Inspects systems for leaks, malfunctioning valves, and dry traps. Installs and repairs copper, galvanized, black iron, PVC, cast iron, and other piping materials. Measures, cuts, threads, bends, and installs pipe in steam, condensate, water, air, and vacuum systems. Performs repairs on low-, medium-, and high-pressure piping systems through soldering, threading, and minor welding. Performs chemical testing and treatment on boiler water, condensate, and domestic water systems. Implements and maintains the facility's Legionella water management plan, including scheduling, documenting, and performing flushing operations in accordance with all directives and SOPs. Completes required training and ensures compliance with all federal, VA, and facility water treatment regulations. HVAC, Refrigeration, and Electronic Controls Installs, maintains, troubleshoots, and repairs air conditioning and refrigeration units, chiller plants, cooling towers, heating systems, and hot water systems. Calibrates and maintains building automation and control systems including BAS, SCADA, NEXUS, and Hays Cleveland controllers. Programs, monitors, and adjusts electronic, electric, and pneumatic control systems to ensure proper environmental operation. Work Leadership Serves as a work leader of multiple employees in accomplishing trades and labor work. Trades led include but not limited to pipefitting, boiler plant equipment maintenance and operation, electronic industrial control maintenance, and HVAC maintenance and operation. Documentation, Compliance, and Technical Review Reads and interprets blueprints, schematics, diagrams, technical manuals, and repair drawings. Completes all required logs, inspection documentation, preventive maintenance records, and work orders. Ensures compliance with the Privacy Act, VHA policies, building codes, NFPA standards, and medical center regulations. Work Schedule: Full-Time, 8:00am - 4:30pm Position Description Title/PD#: Utility Systems Repairer-Operator Leader/PD105590 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 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, 09/08/2026. 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) Lead or Supervise Materials Measuring Instruments 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. Physical Requirements: Work is carried out in tiring positions such as standing, crouching, stooping, kneeling, and prone for long periods of time. Some duties require the use of ladders, scaffolds, and platforms where parts of the system are in hard-to-reach places. Occasionally, the incumbent will be required to lift items in excess of 50 pounds and 100 pounds with assistance. The incumbent frequently lifts, carries, and sets up parts and equipment that weighs up to 50 pounds. Working Conditions: Works both inside and outside. When inside, frequently exposed to drafts, changing temperatures, and noise. When outside, is exposed to bad weather, wet or icy conditions. Either inside or outside the employee is exposed to irritations and discomfort from dust, grease, heat, and fumes. Typically inspects parts, equipment, and systems, which are dirty, hot, oily, or greasy. Subject to cuts, burns, chemical irritations, bruises, electrical shock, and injuries from falls while positioning and moving equipment. Follows prescribed safety practices and uses safety equipment such as protective hearing devices, hard hats, hard-toe shoes, gloves, and protective clothing. Some safety equipment may be hot and uncomfortable and will be worn for long periods of time. 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.
