Summary The incumbent serves as Utility Systems Repairer Operator for the Facilities Management Service at the James J Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, New York, and is responsible for the operation, maintenance, and monitoring of the equipment in both the Air Conditioning Plant and the Boiler Plant.
Learn more about this agency Duties Help
This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until June 5, 2026. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be Thursday, May 7, 2026, with subsequent cut-off dates on Thursday of each remaining week. This announcement may be extended or removed from USAJobs.gov at any time.
Boiler Plant Duties (50%)
- The incumbent operates, maintains, monitors and repairs three (3) "D" Type Water Tube Boiler Plant of 1,200 HP, a total of 3,600 HP and an output of 40,000 lbs/hr at 130 lbs/sq. inch per boiler and all auxiliary equipment. Must inspect, adjust and repair various boiler controls, safety devices, feed pumps, condensate pumps, fuel oil pumps to ensure safe and efficient plant operation. Required to perform installations of minor and major repairs of equipment and operate according to VA regulations, ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Codes and Facility policies.
- Monitors four (4) 30,000 gallons of #2 ULTRAPURE fuel oil underground storage tanks and fuel oil delivery, INCON 2001 tank sentinel fuel oil monitoring device especially during boiler fuel oil operation and must maintain and monitor the opacity meter as per VA policy and EPA guidelines. Also monitors one (1) 30,000 gallons and two (2) 1,000 gallons undergrounds storage tanks of fuel for the operation of the Medical Center's emergency generators.
- Monitors two (2) 3,150 KVA Main Emergency Diesel Generators, one (1) 370 KVA Life Support Emergency Diesel Generator and one (1) 160 KVA Community Living Center (CLC) Emergency Diesel Generator during power outage until being relieved by the electrician.
- Tests and treats the boiler water, feed water, condensate return water, cooling tower water and city water as per JJP VAMC instructions and manufacturers recommendations and adjusts pump settings to maintain concentration of chemicals within the systems.
- Operates, monitors and repairs four (4) low pressure air compressors and three (3) air driers to sustain continuous supply of clean dry air for pneumatic controls of Boiler Plant, Air Conditioning Plant and Air Handling Units providing environment controlled climate throughout the medical center.
Air Conditioning Plant Duties (50%)- Operates, monitors and does emergency repairs on one (1) 1,400 ton, two (2) 1,200 ton, one (1) 1000 ton and one (1) 800 ton, a total of 5,600 ton Air Conditioning Plants and auxiliary equipment. All operation of equipment must be safe, efficient and as per manufacturer's instruction and JJP VAMC policies.
- Operates and monitors the one (1) computer known as FX40 Graphic Energy Building Automation Systems that controls the energy management systems and the air conditioning systems throughout the Medical Center.
- Keeps and maintains all daily records of plant operations and monitors fire alarm systems. Must respond on any emergency calls throughout the medical center such as fire alarm systems, plumbing, electrical, heating, cooling and hazard spills during WHEN hours.
- Operates high voltage switchgear that provide electricity to the Medical Center during the WHEN hours. This includes operation of the 5KV switchgear in coordination with Consolidated Edison of New York. It also includes locating tripped 480 Volt switchgear in the electrical network rooms and then charging and resetting these breakers. All switchgear operation is to be reported in the plant log and to the Electrical Shop Foreman.
- Performs all housekeeping tasks such as sweeping, mopping, waxing, etc., in both plants and storage areas.
- The incumbent is free to normally use his/her own judgment and initiative in the greater part of all assignments. Plants are operated and maintained 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on rotating schedule. Maybe required to work overtime on occasions.
- Performs other duties as assigned
Work Schedule: Rotating Shifts, 5 days a week. Shifts are from 12am - 8am, 8am - 4pm, and 4pm - 12am.
Position Description Title/PD#: Utility Systems Repairer Operator/PD11688A
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
Requirements Help
Conditions of employment - You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
- Subject to background/security investigation
- Pre-employment physical 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 dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
- Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to complete 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, 06/05/2026.
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
- Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading)
- Measuring Instruments
- Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
- 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.
Physical Requirements/Working Conditions: The position involves working with heights; working with moving parts and rotating machinery; electrical apparatus; noisy machines. Work is performed inside where the area is usually dry and heated, but short periods of time may be spent exposed to extreme and abnormal temperatures. The incumbent is exposed to greasy and dirty work as well as fumes from refrigerants and combustible gases. Hazards include the possibility of electrical shock, injury to eyes from handling chemicals and injury from burns in connection with steam piping and valves.
The employee is also required to work rotating shifts. Education There is no educational substitution at this grade level.
Additional information 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.
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.
NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and 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.
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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