Utility Systems Operator

Summary

The position is at the full performance level located in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), at the Loma Linda, CA VA Medical Center (VAMC) in the Facility Management Service (FMS). The primary purpose of the Utility Systems Operator (USO) is to ensure the safe operation of the facility's centrally located boiler and chiller plant.

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Duties

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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 Plant's 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: Initially M-F 0600-1430 But hours are subject to change depending on need of organization (confirm with supervisor).

Position Description Title/PD#: Utility Systems Operator/PD10833A

Relocation/Recruitment Incentive: Not Authorized

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:

• 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.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Services Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• 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 dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this 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.

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 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.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

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. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

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.

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.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.