Utility Systems Repairer - Operator

Utility Systems Repairer - Operator

The duties of the Utility Systems Repairing-Operating include:

Plant Operations - Boiler & Chiller Plants

• Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot centralized chilled water systems, including multiple 1000-ton chillers, pumps, cooling towers, and chemical treatment systems.
• Monitor and control steam and chilled water systems using Schneider Electric Facilities Energy Management System and BAS/SCADA platforms.
• Regulate temperature and humidity for critical spaces (ORs, labs, ICUs, IT, research areas) requiring precise environmental control.
• Perform field repairs, isolate defective equipment, and take corrective action during abnormal or alarm conditions to ensure uninterrupted hospital operations.
• Conduct daily water and condenser water analyses and adjust chemical concentrations for optimal system performance and corrosion control.
• Inspect, lubricate, adjust, and repair air handlers, fans, motors, valves, strainers, belts, coils, ductwork, dampers, and HVAC/R components.

High-Pressure Boiler Operations

• Operate high-pressure steam boilers producing up to 76,225 lbs/hr, including associated fuel systems, feedwater equipment, condensate systems, and auxiliary components.
• Perform combustion analysis, adjust fuel-air ratios, regulate pressure systems, and ensure compliance with safety, environmental, NFPA, and ASHRAE standards.
• Troubleshoot malfunctions in burners, safety devices, regulators, flue gas recirculation systems, steam traps, expansion joints, and condensate return systems.
• Execute emergency shutdowns/startups, respond to fuel supply interruptions, power outages, and equipment failures, ensuring continuous operation.

Electronic Industrial Controls

• Maintain, repair, and calibrate electronic control systems for boilers, chillers, feedwater systems, fuel delivery systems, and auxiliary equipment.
• Diagnose complex faults in analog/digital circuits using oscilloscopes, multimeters, signal generators, and software diagnostic tools.
• Interpret and update P&IDs, wiring diagrams, schematics, and technical manuals to support troubleshooting and repairs.
• Develop and implement custom control logic for PLC/DDC systems and integrate legacy equipment with modern BAS platforms.

Preventive Maintenance & System Testing

• Perform scheduled preventive maintenance on boilers, chillers, pumps, motors, refrigeration units, air handlers, water treatment systems, VFDs, exhaust systems, and distribution loops.
• Collect and analyze water samples from boilers, condensate tanks, deaerators, and softeners; adjust chemical feed rates and perform blow-down procedures.
• Complete repair and replacement of piping, steam traps, valves, gauges, pump motors, and related components.
• Maintain accurate operating logs detailing steam generation, boiler pressures, temperatures, fuel consumption, and system performance.

Emergency Response & Independent Shift Leadership

• Work unsupervised on night, weekend, and holiday shifts; act as lead operator ensuring safe operation of all plant systems.
• Respond to emergency trouble calls for all Medical Center utilities and coordinate corrective actions, including calling in off-duty personnel when necessary.
• Make critical decisions such as boiler shutdown/startup, load transfers, and system bypassing to maintain medical center operations.

Compliance, Documentation & Collaboration

• Ensure work complies with VA standards, NFPA codes, ASHRAE guidelines, environmental regulations, and Joint Commission requirements.
• Maintain records in CMMS (e.g., Maximo/TMA) and prepare documentation for internal audits and external inspections (EPA, Joint Commission).
• Collaborate with engineers, contractors, and maintenance personnel on upgrades, retrofits, commissioning, and SOP revisions.

Work Schedule: Position requires shift work to support 24/7 boiler plant operations. Tours of duty may include days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.

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 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.

US Department of Veterans Affairs