Utility Systems Operator Job in Albany, NY

Vacancy No. CBTE-12470805-24-KH Department Veterans Health Administration
Salary $31.46 to $36.83 Grade 10 to 10
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 7/3/2024 Close Date 7/9/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Albany, NY


Job Description (Please follow all instructions carefully)

Summary

This position is located in FMS at the Albany VAMC.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

ALL US CITIZENS DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.201) for this occupation.

Duties

Duties include but are not limited to:

Physical Plant Operations

The incumbent answers and facilitates trouble calls from the hospital on off hours and perform first response actions and correct urgent problems. The incumbent may be called upon to perform duties normally considered outside the incumbent's expertise, exercising judgement and using creativity to solve problems. If the situation dictates excessive time or assistance, the operator has the authority to call in off-duty employees on an overtime basis and if the situation warrants, informing the USRO Supervisor, M&O Supervisor, M&O Manager, and /or the Chief Engineer.

Instrumentation
The incumbent works independently to troubleshoot, repair, modify, overhaul, test, calibrate and install a variety of multi- component industrial and precision instruments and equipment as it relates to both the Boiler Plant and Chiller Plant. The equipment and systems normally serviced are interdependent electrical, mechanical and Hydraulic devices which control and regulate flows, pressures and levels. The incumbent will work using operating principles, blueprints, diagrams, technical manuals, test equipment trade tools.

Plumbing
The incumbent performs plumbing related duties which include planning, layout, and routing or piping systems. The incumbent must be able to work from sketches and blueprints or other technical data. The cumbent will work on the installation and repair of different types of piping which include copper, galvanized steel, black iron, PVC, Carbon Steel, Plastic tubing, Stainless tubing as well as transition couplings and valves associated with these materials. All plumbing and piping must meet trade standards, Material specifications and codes for Water, Air, High pressure steam, Boiler Condensate, Fuel oil, and Natural gas. Other duties include repairing various pumps and general plumbing maintenance.

Electrical
The incumbent has experience with various Electrical systems, AC, DC, single phase and 3 phase, Machinery Control Centers, control isolation and read circuit diagrams pertaining power supply, boiler controls, pump controls, Fan controls, DDC panels, UPS supplies, electric actuated control valve systems and various instrumentation. Incumbent will independently trouble shoot and repair electrical circuits, single phase and 3 phase motors, switches, starter circuits, Variable Frequency drives, and other process controls. Have knowledge of the NFPA Electrical code and electrical lock out tag out procedures.

Boiler Plant Operator
The incumbent starts, operates, adjusts, stops, maintains, and performs various operational repairs on single or multiple fuel power boilers and associated auxiliary and pollution control equipment. The boilers operated at this facility are duel fuel utilizing both oil and natural gas to produce the steam required to meet changing load demands. The boilers require constant attention to maintain efficiency and control the formation of pollutants. He or she maintains efficient combustion levels and ensure compliance with air pollution laws or regulations. Through the use of both manual and automatic control systems, boiler plant operators monitor, adjust, and control all phases of boiler plant operations.

Air Conditioning Equipment Operator
The incumbent operates a centralized, multiple zone system, checking temperature sensing points in the buildings, adjust controls, start, regulate, stop air handling equipment, and reset temperature controls and steam spray valves for humidity control. He or she log gauge readings, test water in cooling towers and record results of water condition tests, perform operator maintenance, and replace minor parts. Due to the size and complexity of the facility and end users (e.g., industrial, computer and telecommunications areas, hospital operating rooms, special research laboratories that contain sensitive measuring equipment, clinical laboratories, or intensive care wards) the incumbent requires a more extensive knowledge and skillset when compared to other facilities. Perform other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: 2nd Shift (4:00pm - 12:00am) OR 3rd Shift (12:00am - 8:00am)

Position Description Title/PD#: Utility Systems Operator/PD38783A
Physical Requirements: The position will frequently work in confined areas in and around boilers and support equipment. The work requires moderate to strenuous effort and long periods of walking, standing, climbing, bending, and crouching. The position frequently will lift and carry boiler parts and chemical supplies weighing up to 18 kilograms (40 pounds) unassisted and occasionally items weighing over 18 kilograms (40 pounds) with assistance of other workers or weight handling equipment.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
  • Subject to a background/suitability investigation
  • Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
  • May serve a probationary period
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
  • A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc.
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

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
  • Interpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading)
  • Measuring Instruments
  • Operation of Equipment/Machinery
  • Technical Practices


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

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 https://www.opm.gov/.

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.

Benefits

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.

Review our benefits

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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Applicants will be referred in the order in which they were received.

Required Documents

Documents Accepted:

  • Cover Letter
  • DD-214/ Statement of Service
  • Disability Letter (Schedule A)
  • Disability Letter (VA)
  • License
  • Other (1)
  • PCS Orders
  • Professional Certification
  • Resume
  • Separation Notice (RIF)
  • SF-15
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
  • Transcript

Documents Required:
  • Resume

Please review the above list(s) to ensure you have included all necessary documents required for your application.Not every applicant will require the same documents, therefore it is the applicants responsibility to ensure that their application package includes all necessary documents to determine qualifications and eligibility for appointment, such as a copy of your SF-50, transcript, ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).You will not be contacted for additional information. Applicants will be deemed ineligible if supporting documentation is not submitted.

Veterans' Preference: Since the Direct-Hire Recruitment Authority is being used, traditional Veterans' Preference rules do not apply. Qualified veterans will, however, be given full consideration for this position.

Applications are accepted online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.

How to Apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online.

To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 07/09/2024 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12470805.

1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.

2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.

To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

Agency contact information

Kim Howell
Address
Samuel S Stratton VA Medical Center - Albany
113 Holland Ave
Albany, NY 12208
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

After the vacancy announcement closes, applicants are evaluated to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.