Duties to include, but not limited to:
- Provides daily direction and instruction in preventive maintenance schedules and shop activities.
- Conducts performance appraisals, interviews applicants, recommends hiring.
- Administers staffing requirements, workload assignments, approves leave.
- Repairs boilers, pumps, valves, regulators, and plant equipment.
- Conducts plant rounds, reads gauges/meters, and makes adjustments.
- Operates emergency generator systems.
- Conducts chemical tests; adjusts water treatment.
- Writes technical specifications for equipment/building modifications.
- Records instrument readings during boiler rounds.
- Performs tests on boiler water, steam flow, fuel usage, pressure.
- Reads/interprets blueprints, schematics, and technical manuals.
- Interprets work assignments and ensures subordinates understand requirements.
- Works safely with steam >300°F, chemicals, noise, and electrical hazards.
- Performs physical maintenance including lifting, kneeling and climbing.
- Other duties as assigned
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am-4:00pm
Position Description Title/PD#: Utility Systems Operator/PD146490
Physical Requirements: Regular walking tours of the plant, main hospital, and outbuildings to conduct inspections of equipment require the Incumbent to spend approximately four to six hours daily walking and standing, with approximately three to four hours daily doing desk type work. Some lifting may be required. which include some lifting, kneeling, standing, climbing and stooping. Maintenance and repairs frequently require working in awkward and cramped positions and lifting up to fifty (50) pounds. Frequent standing, walking, and climbing are required while checking equipment.
Driver's License Requirement: Incumbent must possess a current, valid state-issued driver's license for this position. (Please do NOT submit a copy of your license with your application package. You will be required to show your valid driver's license at the time of interview.)
- 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.
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: Preferred Experience: Knowledge of the following: Boiler operations on both natural gas and fuel oil; boiler safety device testing; computer controls and operations; use of Excel, Word and various other programs for administration purposes; records keeping for equipment; underground fuel systems operation and record keeping; water plant knowledge for micro filtration systems; EPA reporting for all tests required for potable water; distribution systems for potable water; collections systems; ordering/researching parts; DEQ requirements for underground fuel tanks and potable water systems; ordering fuel for various equipment around the facility and also propane; pumps, strainers, steam heating, HVAC systems, electrical and electronics systems to include low voltage up to high voltage; and LOTO experience for steam and electrical.
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:
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.
Working Conditions: Work is performed on a rotating shift basis. Plant coverage is 24/7 /365. Most work is done inside with routine exposure to: surrounding temperatures in excess of 100 degrees Fahrenheit, chemicals used in boiler, chiller, and water treatment, steam in excess of 300 degrees Fahrenheit, loud noise, and occasional inclement weather. The use of protective clothing or gear, such as rubber aprons, steel-toed boots, hearing protection, safety goggles, gloves or face shield, is frequently required. Incumbent will be issued with arc flash rated uniforms, to include: pants, long sleeve shirts, and cotton tee shirts that are required to be worn in full while on duty. Incumbent may also be exposed to the following dangers: Electrical shock, Hydrocarbon refrigerants, chemical splashes and burns, scalds, cuts, bruises, or broken bones.
There is no education requirement for this Federal Wage System (FWS) position. Qualification is based solely on your experience demonstrating the ability to lead or supervise in a boiler plant or utility systems environment, as shown in your resume.
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.
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.
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.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Applicants will be referred in the order in which they were received.
Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.
The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.
Documents Accepted:
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Cover Letter
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DD-214/ Statement of Service
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Disability Letter (Schedule A)
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Disability Letter (VA)
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License
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Other (1)
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PCS Orders
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Performance Appraisal
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Professional Certification
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Resume
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Separation Notice (RIF)
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SF-15
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SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
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Transcript
Documents Required:
Please review the above list(s) to ensure you have included all necessary documents required for your application.Not every applicant will require the same documents, therefore it is the applicants responsibility to ensure that their application package includes all necessary documents to determine qualifications and eligibility for appointment, such as a copy of your SF-50, transcript, ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).
You will not be contacted for additional information. Applicants will be deemed ineligible if supporting documentation is not submitted.
SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Time in Grade and/or Eligibility):
- Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee
- An SF-50 showing your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade
- Award 50's do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted for the purpose of verifying time-in-grade.
- Examples of appropriate SF-50's include:
- Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or
- Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or
- SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.
Veterans' Preference: Since the Direct-Hire Recruitment Authority is being used, traditional Veterans' Preference rules do not apply. Qualified veterans will, however, be given full consideration for this position.
Applications are accepted online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.
