Utility Systems Repairer-Operator

About the role

The incumbent will serve as a Utility Systems Repairer-Operator organizationally aligned to the Boiler-Chiller Plant, Facility Management, Engineering Service, VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System.

What you will do

• Operating and safely maintaining three 25,000 and two Patterson Kelley finned tubed C900 hot water units.
• Safely and efficiently maintaining five 1,200 ton centrifugal chillers, associated cooling towers and all related pumps and systems.
• Operating and safely maintaining two 200 ton process chillers, associated condensing units and all related pumps and systems.
• Completing and maintaining all official plant operational records including boiler plant log book, operational log, overtime call back log, hospital engineers log, chiller plant log book, plant production logs, chemical analysis logs and preventative maintenance work orders.
• Using pressure reducing valves, electric driven pumps, de-aerating feed water heaters, surge tanks, steam supply, effluent discharge systems. and the medical center's steam and natural gas domestic water system.
• Repairing, troubleshooting, installing and altering equipment and systems.
• Conducting rigorous preventative maintenance on a wide variety of complex fixed mechanical systems and/or movable mechanical equipment.
• Using hand tools and power operated shop equipment including grinding machines, drill presses, micrometers, veneer calipers, chain falls and hoists, arc welding, brazing and soldering.
• Handling refrigerants, mechanical, pneumatic and hydraulic operating characteristics of machinery and equipment.
• Using measuring instruments such as the volt-ohm multi-meter, amp meter, continuity testing equipment, voltage testing equipment, oscilloscopes, combustion analyzing equipment for pollution control and efficiency.
• Repairing and maintaining the boilers, chillers and auxiliary equipment including all medical center utility systems.
• Analyzing and chemically treating all waters associated with plant operations such as boilers, soft, condensate, chilled, and condenser.
• Completing preventative maintenance with Joint Commission requirements and equipment manufacture recommendation.
• Reading and interpreting technical manuals, blueprints, shop drawings, and other highly complex technical guides proficiently.
• Work Schedule: Rotating Schedules to include weekends and holidays.
• Position Description Title/PD#: Utility Systems Repairer-Operator/PD92968A Physical Requirements: Makes repairs and installations from ladders, scaffolding, platforms, and other hard-to-reach places, requiring standing, stooping, bending, kneeling, climbing, and working in tiring and uncomfortable positions.
• Carries tools, equipment, and parts that weigh up to 50 pounds.
• The work is performed both inside and outside, making repairs and installations in bad weather; in work areas that are noisy, dirty, dusty, greasy and extremely warm; on scaffolding or cranes at heights of 30 feet or more; and in close quarters such as manholes and attics.
• Occasional exposure to the possibility of injury from falling, electrical shock, burns, and rotary devices such as electrical motors.
• Frequently exposed to the possibility of cuts and bruises and occasionally exposed to the possibility of broken bones.
• May be required to wear appropriate safety gear such as protective eyewear.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job Subject to a background/suitability investigation 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 (***).
• 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.

How you will be evaluated

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.

Documents you must provide

• Documents Accepted: Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (Schedule A) Disability Letter (VA) License Other (1) Other (2) Other (3) Performance Appraisal Professional Certification Resume Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Documents Required: Resume 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.
• NOTE: Please provide a copy of current 3rd class stationary engineers license with your application if you are claiming it.
• 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.

What to expect next

After the vacancy announcement closes, applicants are evaluated to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email.

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 ***

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.

The VA has adopted Core Values and Characteristics that apply universally across the Department. The five Core Values define "who we are," our culture, and how we care for Veterans, their families and other beneficiaries. The Values are Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect and Excellence ("I CARE").

As a VA professional, your opportunities are endless. With many openings in the multiple functions of VA, you will have a wide range of opportunities and leadership positions at your fingertips. "VA Healthcare System Serving Ohio, Indiana and Michigan (VISN 10) advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers.

This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran.

This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community.

This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being." NOTE: This position is subject to consistency review and may be downgraded or upgraded at OPM's discretion.

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.