Utility Systems Operator

Major duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Controls operates and maintains efficient and reliable operation of the electrical emergency power generation.
• Manually runs emergency generator and perform manual operation of switchgears when necessary to maintain power supply to the hospital.
• Visually inspects boiler settings and refractory linings for signs of deterioration and failure due to heat stress resulting in flue gases escaping into the plant and endangering on-duty personnel.
• Controls operates and maintains HVAC equipment inside the chiller plant and cooling tower yard.
• Responds to hot and cold calls by analyzing the chiller plant and air handling units (AHU) performance and make necessary adjustments to bring the HVAC system within parameters.
• Analysis includes AHU set points air filter condition outside air supply temperature and humidity damper/economizer positions chilled water valve opening humidifier percent opening fan speed and its relationship to the static pressure.
• Perform necessary temporary adjustments to keep hospital or space at an acceptable HVAC condition.
• Write notes in the log book of all work performed and adjustments made to be reported to USO Supervisor and briefing HVAC technicians.
• Controls and operates two-domestic hot water heaters.
• Observes and documents information such as pressures temperatures water levels and detectors to identify signs of trouble.
• Monitors and performs Plants chemical water treatment including testing of water hardness coming from the tap and water softener.
• Monitors plant status with Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) computer system.
• Performs thorough housekeeping of boiler electrical chiller plants and cooling tower yard.
• Keeps the Plant in an orderly manner painting sweeping and mopping and dusting off Plant equipment.
• Operator makes independent decisions and judgments regarding troubleshooting techniques and modification and repair procedures.
• Controls or operates a Supervisory Control Data Acquisition (SCADA) computer to control and operate life support equipment.
• Performs maintenance on plant equipment using blueprints specifications sketches and from oral or written instructions.
• Balances electrical load between generators.
• Maintains circuit voltage and frequency constant when generators are added to or removed from the system.
• Responsible for monitoring the fire alarm system medical gas alarm panel and elevator emergency call system for the entire facility.
• Adjusts equipment as necessary for efficient operation including such equipment as alarm devices proper size burner tips automatic combustion controls feed water deaerator and heaters chillers internal chemical injection equipment automatic stop valves forced and induced draft fans fuel and steam pressure control and relief valves feedwater regulators and pumps.
• Perform operational testing of equipment and systems to determine their efficiencies.
• Works with engineering to determine performance parameters for reliable operation.
• Tests adjusts maintains and repairs boiler safety devices such as flame safeguard systems pressure switches pressure differential safety switches timers water column safety devices electric/electronic probes and sensors steam safety valves steam pressure reducing valves and automatic and manual fuel valves for preventing major pressure vessel failures and/or furnace explosions.

Work Schedule: M-F 0600-1430 (confirm with supervisor)
Position Description Title/PD#: Utility Systems Operator/PD10833A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentive: Not AuthorizedAs 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 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.

• 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 ( May 7 2025 drivers licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.

Beginning September 27 2025 Federal agencies will only accept resumes up to two pages in length to comply with the Merit Hiring Plan. Resumes longer than two pages will result in ineligibility for further consideration for the position. USAJOBS will not allow you to upload or build resumes longer than two pages and you will need to update the resumes in your profile before applying for a job. Resumes should include information relevant to the knowledge skills abilities and competencies of the position to which you are applying. VA is unable to make assumptions about qualifications.Resumes must be legible so they can be reviewed for eligibility minimum qualifications and other position requirements listed in the job announcement.Your resume must be 5MB or less. We recommend saving and uploading your resume as a PDF to maintain formatting and number of pages. We also accept GIF JPG JPEG PNG RTF TXT PDF ODT or Word (DOC or DOCX). We do not accept PDF portfolio files. We recommend using a sans-serif font size like Lato if available. 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.

• 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.

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:

• Equipment Assembly Installation Repair
• Follow Directions
• Operation of Equipment/Machinery
• Troubleshooting
• Without 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.