Utility Systems Repairer-Operator

About the role

This position serves as a Utility System Repairer Operator located at the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center (RJDVAMC) under the supervision of the Boiler Plant Operations Supervisor and assigned to Facility Management Services (FMS). DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.201) for this occupation.

Veterans' Preference: Since the Direct-Hire Recruitment Authority is being used, traditional Veterans' Preference rules do not apply.

What you will do

• Operating, monitoring, adjusting, calibrating, and repairing various electronic elements of the building environmental monitoring control system, automated electronic combustion systems on power boilers, chillers, and other electronic programmable controllers related to steam, refrigeration, medical air/gas systems, pneumatic air systems, air conditioning systems, etc., to troubleshoot malfunctions of the complex systems under automated controls.
• Responsible for Boiler Plant automation and BAS that integrates and uses special computers to store operating parameters and initiates adjustments when systems become out of range or in alarm conditions.
• Responsible for repairing, operating, and maintaining three 500 hp gas fired boilers using No. 2 oil as a standby energy source and all associated equipment such as burners with Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) for combustion air, electronic combustion control systems, centrifugal feed water pumps with VFDs, drum level controls, steam transmitters, de-aerating tank, and condensate storage tanks.
• Performs duties required for Boiler Plant operations such as periodic checks of the power boilers, plant auxiliary equipment, and the system automation control to ensure proper operation and to make adjustments as needed.
• Starts, stops, and operates power boilers and all auxiliary equipment.
• Records and documents boiler and condensate water tests, temperatures, pressures, water levels, and all other Boiler Plant operational readings as required.
• Checks and makes necessary adjustments to the power boiler and auxiliary plant equipment for hazards that could endanger personnel and equipment, and complies with safety requirements, general and special rules, instructions, and the Energy Center's SOPs.
• Diagnosing, troubleshooting, repairing, replacing, maintaining, and operating 17 Chillers with 1665 tons of cooling capacity, with a mixture of centrifugal chillers, rotary liquid chillers, screw type chillers with variable frequency/variable speed drives (VFSD), 34 VFSD chilled water pumps and piping, chilled water piping systems, multiple roof top package units, building pressure controls, kitchen refrigeration, pharmaceutical refrigeration, process cooling for the MRI, process heating for Sterile Process Department, mini-split HVAC systems, split HVAC systems, air handlers, whole building exhaust systems.
• Responsible for the operation, maintenance, and repair of Building Automation Systems (BAS) and all types and brands of temperature, humidity, and all volumetric controls, both individually and in any combination.
• Diagnoses, troubleshoots, modifies, repairs, replaces, and installs critical and special purpose HVAC/R equipment and systems that provide specific and critical climatic conditions throughout the entire Medical Center.
• Performs preventative and scheduled maintenance on chillers, chilled water distribution pumps, and the chilled water loops, air handlers, HVAC split systems, HVAC mini-split systems, roof top package units, VAVs, building exhaust systems, chilled water VFD pumps and motors, kitchen refrigeration, pharmaceutical refrigeration, mortuary, ice machines, water coolers, pumps, motors, and all auxiliary chiller and HVAC/R equipment according to manufacturer's specifications, VHA regulations and direction of the Boiler Plant supervisor.
• Work Schedule: Rotating shifts, night, day, and second shift, compressed tours, weekends and holidays.
• Subject to on call for emergencies.
• Position Description Title/PD#: Utility Systems Repairer-Operator/PD589A7-09635A Physical Requirements: Subjected to sustained physical effort in the operation of power boilers, chillers, HVAC/R equipment, steam distribution systems, chilled water distribution systems; physical requirements may include working from ladders, scaffolds, and platforms where parts of the system are in hard-to-reach places.
• Work is carried out in tiring positions such as standing, crouching, stooping, kneeling, and prone for long periods of time.
• Occasionally, the incumbent will be required to lift items in the excess of 50 pounds and 100 pounds with assistance.
• The incumbent frequently lifts, carries, and sets up parts and equipment that weighs up to 50 pounds.

Requirements

• 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 (***).
• 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.
• 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 if not clearly listed.
• Resumes must be legible so they can be reviewed for eligibility, minimum qualifications and other position requirements listed in the job announcement.
• 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) PCS Orders 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.
• 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 ***

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.