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 VA San Diego Healthcare System, VA Medical Center (VAMC) in the Engineering Service, Central Plant. The primary purpose of the position is to serve the Veteran under the supervision of the Supervisor, Central Plant.

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Duties

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he Utility Systems Operator is responsible for all Engineering Utility equipment, monitoring and distribution systems throughout the Medical Center after normal working hours. The Operator shall assess the calls received and based on the information provided by the caller physically evaluate the situation. If not resolved or adequately contained, the operator shall escalate the issue thru the designated supervisor channel, notify and Contactors, Research, Engineering, Safety, Housekeeping, IT and other support staff after normal working hours. This is an extremely critical position for the entire Medical Center. The Operators will not, at any time, leave the Central plant unattended or be relieved by unqualified personnel not in the role as Central Plant Supervisor or Plant Operator.

Major duties include but are not limited to: Operate, Adjust, troubleshoot, repair, replace, monitor and control, manual, backup and bypass systems. including those listed below: Includes manual adjustment of controls for temperatures, valves, Variable frequency drives, water flow, coolant flow, refrigerant flow, damper openings, fire and heat control valves, variable flow equipment, systems and valves in order to meet utility requirements for the entire medical center campus and meet energy conservation goals.

• Refrigeration - Chiller plant, cooling towers and associated equipment
• Graphic Control Operations - Computer Monitoring and Control of the entire central plant computer network for all Central Plant Equipment, and all medical Center HVAC control, fire alarm, Medical Gas distribution and alarm systems, emergency procedures and communications. Troubleshoot all utility control and alarm systems including fire alarm notifications; adjust temperatures manually in order to obtain required space temperature and utility control, initiates work requests for modifications or repairs to utility systems, work with contractors for changes to the utility systems.
• Electronics Controls - Monitoring, adjustment, repair and troubleshooting of utility monitoring and control subsystems on the network, head-end and field equipment.
• Normal Power High Voltage Electrical Power Generation and distribution- Cogeneration Plant High Voltage Electrical (12,000 volts) Power Generation High pressure Natural Gas, Steam production High Voltage distribution: Protective relays, make load shed decisions in order to maintain electrical power to critical functions of the medical center, open and close substations, Oil Switches, Vacuum Breakers and paralleling Switchgear.
• Emergency Power Generation and distribution - switchboard control and synchronization, Transfer switches, prioritize load shedding, manual and bypass operation of all Control Systems, control and operate normal and backup fuel supply controls and pumping systems.
• Boiler Plant Steam Generation and distribution: Natural Gas, Diesel Fuel and heat recovery boilers, production, distribution and operation ensures adherence to pollution control requirements by operating the air and flame ratios to maintain required NOx levels.
• Monitors and reports deficiencies in the elevator system and is required to call in the Elevator Repair Company when needed for Elevator repairs or Elevator Entrapment.
• Notify and authorize overtime for Engineering employees and call in Emergency contract services. Notify Housekeeping, Safety, Hazmat, Radiation Safety, Research, City, County, State and Federal Agencies as necessary.

Work Schedule: Rotating Shifts, 24/7 coverage

Position Description Title/PD#: Utility Systems Operator/PD09766A

Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Requirements

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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 identification 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 will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial 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 or trial 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, 10/30/2026.

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:

• Ability to Do the Work of the Position without More Than Normal Supervision
• Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair
• Interpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading)
• Measuring Instruments
• Operation of Equipment/Machinery

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 : Frequently lifts and carries weights of various loads above 50 pounds. Uses electrical, mechanical systems and forklifts to lift motors, pumps and other machinery overhead for replacement of repair. Extensive walking to inspect, troubleshoot and maintain plant equipment and take hourly readings, working on ladders and platforms, carrying equipment, parts and tools. All work is on a rotating shift basis, operators must be able to work all shifts 24/7/365, including evenings, nights, weekends and holidays.

Working Conditions: Must wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as required for the job tasks including footwear. The Power plant is not heated or Air Conditioned, there is an extreme amount of noise, dangerously high temperatures from the Cogeneration plant, steam heat exchangers, exhaust manifolds, boilers and rotating equipment, very high levels of electrical voltage and current, potential sources of Carbon Monoxide and unburned gasses, potential water, Natural gas, refrigerant and fuel oil leaks, long periods of standing heavy lifting, dirt, dust, vapor, grease, dangerous chemicals, outdoor tasks under varying conditions, night time work in unlit areas working alone, asbestos environments in the interstitial, which requires wearing respirators and protective clothing and working alone in the intestinal spaces between floors after hours.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

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. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. 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.

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.

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.