Utility Systems Operator

About the role

The primary purpose of the position is to operate and maintain the machinery that provides power for heating, cooling, and ventilation in the VA Central California Health Care System. Starts and stops equipment and monitors meters and safety controls. Ensures that the systems operate safely and economically by regularly inspecting meters, gauges, valves, and instruments. Often uses hand or power tools to make minor repairs to machinery. May operate computerized controls to regulate the systems.

Position Description Title/PD#: Utility Systems Operator/PD03232-A

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 to demonstrate 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 (usually question 1 in the online questionnaire). 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 eliminated. The potential eligibles are then rated against the remainder of the Job Elements:

• Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair
• Interpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading)
• Measuring Instruments
• Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment

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, religious, 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. 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.

Responsibilities

• Ability to troubleshoot complete systems using various testing techniques and test equipment
• Feed water pumps, fuel oil feed pumps, fuel oil transfer pumps, feedwater pumps, condensate make up/feed transfer pumps, valves, regulating valves, reducing stations, unit heaters, air compressor systems, all piping, condensate return tank, blow down tank, deaerator tank, blowdown control equipment and pollution control equipment
• Responsible for testing and treatment of boiler water, condensate return water, water softeners, also maintaining the chemical injection system
• Maintains proper chemistry of the boiler water and steam condensate through daily testing and adjusts automated chemical injection metering pumps and blowdown rates as required
• Logs all necessary readings on all equipment in operation and enters daily report on readings recorded
• Monitors parameters to ensure a proper and comfortable environment for staff and patient care throughout the campus
• Operation of the Johnson METASYS Computer System which controls heat, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) throughout various locations
• Other duties as assigned

Work Schedule

Shift varies

Physical Requirements

• Requires walking, standing, bending, lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling moderately heavy loads daily and occasionally heavy loads
• Incumbent must be in good physical condition, have good eyesight with or without glasses and cannot be colorblind
• Great deal of physical effort involved as equipment is large and must be maneuvered into and out of specific locations while dismantling and reassembling
• Frequently carries and sets up parts and equipment that could weigh up to 100 pounds
• Makes repairs and installations from ladders, scaffolding and platforms where parts of systems worked on are frequently in hard-to-reach places; stooping, bending, and kneeling may be required for long periods of time
• Needs to be familiar with lifting dynamics and heavy object handling
• Must pass an annual physical for plant operators

Working Conditions

• Exposed frequently to temperature extremes, drafts, dampness, water and noise
• Majority of work takes place in an industrial environment but typically requires work outdoors, exposed to the elements
• Frequently encounter ladders, catwalks, confined spaces, etc.
• Occasionally subject to cuts, electrical shocks, abnormal heat, hazard of boiler burst, steam blowbacks, scalding water burns, toxic amounts of gas and hazardous/toxic chemicals that can be harmful to skin and clothing

Additional Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen to apply
• 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 (see USCIS 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