Utility Systems Operator

Summary This position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, at the VA San Diego Healthcare System, VA Medical Center in the Engineering Service, Central Plant. The primary purpose is to perform the duties of the Utility Systems Operator. This includes pipe fitting, medical air systems, and a variety of other systems. The incumbent will also perform maintenance, repair, and operation required by the facility. Learn more about this agency Duties *The closing date of this announcement has been extended to 4/3/2026. If you have already applied, you do not need to apply again. If you need to include additional documentation you are able to edit your application.* Major duties and responsibilities will include: Electrical Power generation and distribution Generation and distribution of utilities Operation of various equipment including boilers and emergency electrical power generators. Includes pumping, filtration and distribution system. Medical and utility air compressors and air dryers, medical vacuum pumps, Main and Reserve Bulk liquid oxygen storage; 180,000-gallon emergency backup water storage facility. Operates boiler plant high pressure natural gas/diesel filled fire tube and one high pressure water tube heat recovery boilers and pollution control systems. Operate, Monitor, control, maintain, troubleshoot and repair and replace components of a centralized, multiple zone air conditioning plant Maintains log for various systems Control, Monitor, troubleshooting complex Computerized and Programmable Logic Controllers for Industrial Equipment, apply knowledge of electronic controls and timing circuits to power controls, transfer switches, valve and pump operation and speed control. Prioritize and shed loads utilizing the current and predicted VASDHS load parameters, ambient temperature and thermal loads in order to provide Electrical power and steam to the Medical Center campus. Ability to use graphic control electric monitoring and control system Communicate with San Diego Fire Department for testing and alarm verification as well as Water, sewer, Stormwater, Electric and Natural Gas Utilities. Perform other related duties as assigned Work Schedule: Compressed/Flexible Schedule, Rotating Shifts: 24/7 coverage, Full Time (to include holidays and weekends). 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 To apply for this position, you must have the following qualifications: To qualify for this position at the WG-9 level, you must meet the following: English Language Proficiency - In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), No person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. You must be proficient in basic written and spoken English in order to meet the requirements of this position. AND SCREEN-OUT: Ability to do the work of a Utility Systems Operator without more than normal supervision. To qualify for this position, experience must include Related experience includes alters, remodels, relocation, operates, troubleshoots, maintains, adjusts, repairs, constructs and provides design review for a modern central power plant, operating various systems to ensure safe operation of the facility, uses electrical, mechanical systems and forklifts to lift motors, pumps and other machinery overhead for replacement of repair. (*If you answer yes to this question, your experience must be documented in your resume to receive full credit) A Quality Ranking Factor* has been requested by the facility to help determine which of the basically qualified applicants are likely to be better qualified for a position. The quality ranking factor for this position is: "Insert Quality Ranking Factor here." *Quality Ranking Factors are skills, knowledge, abilities, or other worker characteristics which could be expected to result in superior performance on the job. Quality ranking factors will not be used for screening, but may be used as ranking criteria. Applicants with higher proficiency levels may rank above those with lower proficiency levels on a quality ranking factor. The QRF for this position is: Possess a forklift operator license. NOTE: We cannot accept photographs, therefore please do not submit a copy of your license with your application package. If an interview is requested, you will be required to provide a copy of your current, valid Commercial Driver's License. (Note: We may not accept pictures. Please Do Not submit a copy of your license. This requirement will be verified if interviewed.) PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK CONDITIONS: PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Physical demands will involve frequently lifts and carries weights of various loads above 50 pounds, uses electrical, mechanical systems and forklifts to lift motors, pumps and other overhead machinery for replacement of repair. Extensive walking to inspect, troubleshoot and maintain plant equipment and take hourly readings, working on ladders and platforms, carrying equipment, parts and tools. WORKING CONDITIONS: You must wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as required for the job tasks, including footwear. Work shifts are 24/7/365. The power plant is not heated or Air Conditioned, there is an extreme amount of noise, dangerously high temperatures from the Cogeneration plant, steam heat exchangers, exhaust manifolds, boilers and rotating equipment, very high levels of electrical voltage and current, potential sources of Carbon Monoxide and unburned gasses, potential water, Natural gas, refrigerant and fuel oil leaks, long periods of standing heavy lifting, dirt, dust, vapor, grease, dangerous chemicals, outdoor tasks under varying conditions, night time work in unlit areas working alone, asbestos environments in the interstitial, which requires wearing respirators and protective clothing and working alone in the intestinal spaces between floors after hours. There are tasks that require working in restricted access and confined spaces as well as overhead work requiring ladders. 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: Equipment Assembly, Installation, RepairInterpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading)Measuring InstrumentsOperation of Equipment/MachineryQuality Ranking FactorWithout 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. Expand Hide  additional information 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.