Utility Systems Operator

Summary The Utility System Operator is assigned coverage of LVAHCS Sousley Campus for Facilities Management Service and the Medical Center. Operator's major duties include the operation, maintenance, and repair of three 500 HP Cleaver-Brooks low pressure gas and oil fired fire tube boilers rated at 12 PSI with a total capacity of 52,500 pounds of steam per hour, two 950-ton Carrier centrifugal chillers, one Mcquay 1500 ton centrifugal chiller, and all auxiliary components of each system. Learn more about this agency Duties The Utility Systems Operator operates, maintains and repairs three 500 HP Cleaver-Brooks low pressure gas and oil fired tube boilers rated at 12 PSI with a total capacity of 52,500 pounds of steam per hour, two 950-ton Carrier centrifugal chillers, one Mcquay 1500 ton centrifugal chiller, and all auxiliary components of each system. A Johnson Controls Metasys Facility Management Computer System (FMS) controls and monitors the entire Cooper Drive Division (CDD) heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) and environmental systems. As the Utility Systems Operator, the incumbent's duties include, but are not limited to: Familiarity with the operation of chiller plant equipment. Make independent decisions on the need to adjust, start or stop equipment to maintain energy efficiency. Operate, maintain, and repair high/low pressure steam boilers and condensing boilers. Recommends changes to schedules, priorities, and work sequences as necessary and make minor deviations in procedures or redirect resources under their control to overcome problems. Follows all departmental policies and procedures. Reviews electronic information including technical manuals and electronic drawings. Monitors pertinent information from gauges and thermometers, graphs, indicators, and other technical measuring devices. Interprets blueprints, diagrams, instructions and specifications. Understands critical alarms related to HVAC units, medical vacuum, medical air, oxygen, fire, fire dampers, life support equipment in surgery, recovery, coronary care, etc. Ensures inspections and adjustments are in accordance with set guidelines for operations. Familiarity with hand and power tools, calibration equipment, and chemical titration equipment. Maintain water treatment in the cooling towers, distribution systems and boilers, per instructions and chemical vendors recommendations. Utilize working knowledge of boilers, air conditioning and refrigeration equipment, controls and auxiliary machinery and equipment. Monitors and provides assistance with shutting down and resetting elevator operations and sewage lift station. Work Schedule: Rotating 8 Hour Shifts Position Description Title/PD#: Utility Systems Operator/PD30043A Physical Requirements/Working Conditions: The Utility Systems Operator must sometimes lift weight in excess of 50 pounds. At times works awkward and cramped positions. Must work from ladders while using hand-tools or holding a heavy object overhead. frequent standing, walking and climbing is also required. Utility Systems Operator will monitor and operate the FMS and ambient conditions, making independent decisions on the need to start and stop equipment. 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. Preferred Experience: Experience with building management systems and chilled water. 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: CommunicationsMechanicsOperation of Equipment/MachineryTroubleshootingUse Prints and DrawingsWithout more than normal supervision 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 This job does not have an education qualification requirement. 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. 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.