Utility Systems Operator, Supervisor

Summary Employee will serve as a Utility Systems Operator Supervisor assigned to the Maintenance and Operations (M&O) Section of Engineering Service located at the Veterans Healthcare Administration in Des Moines, IA. Duties This position is responsible for the direction and supervision of journeyman Air Conditioning (AC) Mechanics, AC Operators, Boiler Operators, Refrigeration Mechanics, Maintenance Mechanics, Plumbers, Pipefitters and other as assigned in the maintenance, installation, and repair of all Utility systems and apparatus. Duties will include, but may not be limited to the following: Planning: plans and coordinates the use of workers, equipment, facilities and materials on a daily or by project basis. Tracks and reports progress on work assignments and requests authority to adjust assignments and use of overtime, equipment and materials to meet schedules. Recommends changes to schedules, priorities and work sequences, making deviations or redirects resources to overcome problems such as equipment failure, material delays, or unplanned absences. Work Direction and Supervision: assigns work to subordinates via oral and written instructions utilizing work orders, current job analysis, and standard operating procedures (SOPs). Provides on-the-job training and technical direction in accomplishing difficult work processes. Observes work in progress to anticipate and resolve problems. Inspects work for quality and work order requirements. Reports actual and/or possible work delays to superiors. Administration: participates in the development of employee performance plans and makes recommendations. Regularly reviews subordinate work and provides guidance/direction and continuous feedback on strengths/weaknesses. Recommends appropriate recognitions and corrective actions, as needed, in performance management. Recommends most suitable applicants for vacant positions and restructuring of positions to achieve most effective and economical utilizations of personnel. Investigates grievances/complaints, resolving them informally where possible, and notifies supervisor of those of sufficient importance or seriousness. Maintains work reports and records (e.g., progress, production, cost, personnel, equipment, materials, and time and attendance). Materials, Supplies, Equipment: orders materials, maintains stock levels, including inventory of all chemicals used in the shop. Ensures compliance of contract requirements, quality assurance, etc. Continually studies new literature to keep current in the trade supervised due to rapidly changing technology. Initiates work orders for repairs and maintenance of equipment. Performs other related supervisory duties as necessary to ensure efficient and continuous hospital various utility systems operations. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:00am-3:30pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved 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 Pre-employment physical required 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 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 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 The Utility System Operator Supervisor has experience in a hospital environment directing and supervising journeyman Air Conditioning (AC) Mechanics, AC Operators, Boiler Operators, Refrigeration Mechanics, Maintenance Mechanics, Plumbers, Pipefitters in the maintenance, installation, and repair of all Utility systems and apparatus; this position has experience that includes planning (assigns work, provides on-the-job training and technical direction in accomplishing difficult work processes, observes work in progress to anticipate and resolve problems, and inspects work for quality, work order requirements, and reports actual and/or possible work delays to superiors; participates in the development of employee performance plans and makes recommendations, and provides feedback on employee strengths/weaknesses. I have investigated grievances/complaints, resolving them informally where possible. This position maintains work reports and records (e.g., progress, production, cost, personnel, equipment, materials, and time and attendance). This position orders materials, maintained stock levels, including inventory of all chemicals used in the shop; and ensures compliance of contract requirements, quality assurance, etc. PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK CONDITIONS: The selectee must be physically capable of monitoring accomplishment of the tasks assigned to the Operations section. They must be able to do moderate walking, bending, crawling, climbing and standing. This position does not need to qualify to operate steam boilers. Work is performed in an office, maintenance shop, or jobsite. There is frequent exposure to dirt, grease, noise, and machinery. They may be required to trouble-shoot equipment in remote areas. There is a possibility of exposure to asbestos, contagious disease, and physical hazards. Occasionally work may be in excessive hot and cold temperature, both inside and outside. May also work around equipment and machinery that has excessive noise. Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Federal Wage System Qualifications. For this position, the job element method is used to match what you, the applicant, can do against what the work calls for. Your knowledge, skills and abilities will be compared to the knowledge, skills and abilities (called job elements) needed for success. Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element (WG-2 and higher only; screen-outs are not applicable to WG-1). Applicants who appear to meet the screen out element are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated from consideration. The potential eligibles are rated against the remainder of the job elements. While a specific length of training and experience is not required, your responses to the questionnaire must be supported by detailed descriptions of your experience on your resume. You will be rated on the following Job Elements as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Dexterity and Safety Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair Interpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading) Measuring Instruments Operation of Equipment/Machinery Technical Practices Without more than normal supervision IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. 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. 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; religious; 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. Education This job does not have an education qualification requirement. Additional information Note: Per "Executive Order 14251: Exclusions from Federal Labor-Management Relations Programs", this position is no longer eligible for bargaining unit participation. 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. Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.