Summary This Utility Systems Operator position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network, VISN 6, Facilities Management Service, Operations, Durham VA Medical Center. This position works as a shift plant operator with shift responsibility for operation, maintenance and repair of the Air Conditioning Plant and the Boiler Plant that includes an Energy Management Control System. Responsibilities Duties and include but are not limited to: This position is responsible for operating and maintaining Boiler Plant equipment and systems, HVAC equipment and systems, routine and preventative maintenance and repair to Utilities Support Systems Electrical Distribution, Emergency Power, BMS, HVAC, Water, Steam, Oxygen, Fire Alarm, Vacuum. Medical Air, Communication, Plumbing/Sewer, Nitrogen, Nitrous Oxide, Carbon Dioxide, and Air Production. Perform complex maintenance and repair on Utilities Support Systems Electrical Distribution, Emergency Power, (BMS): HVAC, Water, Steam, Oxygen, Fire Alarm, Vacuum, Medical Air, Communication, Plumbing/Sewer, Nitrogen/Nitrous Oxide/Carbon Dioxide/ Air Production - Hand/Power Tools/ Pneumatic tools. Performs normal repetitive functions of operations, observations, inspections, tests, repairs and preventive maintenance on the Air Conditioning Plant and the Boiler Plant as per standing shift orders and daily operation orders. Operates, monitors, and maintains three (3) supplementary reciprocating electric driver chiller units. Operates three (3) 17,000 pounds per ABCO fire tube high-pressure steam boilers gas and oil-fired. This position is responsible for 24/7 monitoring, maintenance and operation of the medical air, gas and vacuum system. Medical air is comprised of 12 individual oil-less scroll @type compressors which is in the Chiller Plant. Utilizes and troubleshoots highly complex systems of electronic sensing and control, specifically the Siemens Apogee Insight Building Automation System which is an operating system that controls the building's Energy Management System and main Chiller Plant operations by direct digital controls and line code programming. Observes, inspects, performs necessary test, measures key temperatures, pressures, humidity, and resets control points as conditions require. Makes chemical test of water systems for the Boiler Plant and Air Conditioning Plant. Makes adjustments to water by adding chemicals or blow down to maintain proper and effective water treatment. Check boilers and auxiliary and pollution control equipment to insure the operational efficiency of equipment and safety of personnel. Boiler checks are done hourly, and readings are recorded. Responsible for remotely adjusting environmental conditions and performing PMs and routine maintenance to AC equipment. Guidelines exists such as laws, regulations, manufacturer specifications, operating manuals, industry standards, facility SOPs, and written and oral instructions. Work Schedule: 12 Hour Shift Position Description Title/PD#: Utility Systems Operator/PD07002A Physical Requirements: Must lift and carry heavy equipment needed in the maintenance and repair work of plant equipment. Works in cramped positions at times and must be continuously alert to the many hazardous conditions that prevail in the A/C and Boiler Plants to prevent unscheduled downtime and failures. 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. 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: Ability to Do the Work of the Position without More Than Normal Supervision Dexterity and Safety Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair Interpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading) Measuring Instruments Operation of Equipment/Machinery Technical Practices 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 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.
