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.

The incumbent serves as a journeyman Utility Systems Operator (USO) responsible for the safe operation of the Energy Center, consisting of a combined boiler and chiller plant. If the situation dictates, the operator has the authority as acting Chief Engineer after normal hours to call in off-duty employees on an overtime basis and if the situation wan-ants, informing the supervisor, ACE/M&O and Chief Engineer of problems after-hours. They are responsible for maintaining an accurate and complete log of conditions and events during his tour, and the turn-over of items requiring further attention to the appropriate shop.


BOILER OPERATION:
Starts, operates, adjusts, stops, maintains, and performs various operation repairs on the steam plant consisting of three D-type pressurized water-tube power boilers, each developing 32,000 pounds of steam per hour and a Combined Heat and Power plant consisting of a SOLAR Mercury 50 gas-turbine electrical generator producing 4.6 MW of campus electricity per hour and a RENTECH Heat Recovery Steam Generator producing 14,000 - 45,000 pounds per hour of steam for a maximum of 141,000 pounds per hour operating 110-125 psig. The normal fuel supply is natural gas with #2 diesel fuel oil as a backup for the boilers, natural gas for the gas-turbine and the HRSG will fire on natural gas, biodiesel or #2 diesel.

Also operates all support equipment-Deaerator Tank, Condensate Storage Tanks, associated condensate and boiler feed pumps, natural gas compressor, glycol cooling system, chemical injection systems, and air-control systems. Incumbent starts and stops equipment and regulates the steam plant and associated equipment as steam load varies. He must anticipate load changes based on operations occurring at various times of the day such as laundry and changing weather conditions.

Incumbent continuously monitors gauges, meters, boiler water level indicators and computer control equipment and displays to detect changes in operation to keep system operating safely and efficiently.

CHILLER OPERATION:
Manages two (2) 1000-ton steam turbine-driven chiller units and four 1000- ton centrifugal chiller units in conjunction with a 3.25 million gallon chilled water thermal storage system, performing hourly checks of all operating equipment in the chiller plant, making shiftly inspections of the cooling towers and utility tunnels.

Operates a primary, secondary, tertiary chilled water pumping system, maintaining proper chilled water flows throughout the system to maintain required conditions in all zones of the Medical Center. Operator may be required to make manual adjustments to system to maintain system efficiency and integrity.

Operates chilled water thermal storage system, making manual adjustments to system water flows and chiller cycling to maintain system capacity and efficiency.

Performs preventive and corrective maintenance on chillers, cooling towers, boilers, pumps, steam traps, and other associated equipment. Performs major and minor repairs to equipment in accordance with VA regulations and directives, ASME boiler and pressure vessel codes, ASHRAE standards, facility policies, and good engineering practices.

FIRE SAFETY EQUIPMENT AND BUILDING SY STEMS:
Monitors 24/7 all hospital required emergency power systems including the fire alarm system, master medical gas alarm panel, emergency communications systems, elevator emergency call system and elevator monitoring computer for forty-two elevators campus-wide and
coordinates events as required to ensure life safety measures are taken. In the event of a fire alarm, notifies Safety, VA Police and Engineering personnel of the location of the alarm. After-hours, notifies the VA Police, Nursing Clinical Coordinator and responds to the scene. Coordinates with the responding fire department to declare the scene clear when safe.

CENTRALIZED BULK OXGYGEN PLANT:
Manages the bulk liquid oxygen (cryogenic) system,11,000 gallon primary source and 500 gallon reserve supply of medical oxygen throughout campus for direct patient care. Manages all deliveries, performs daily inspections, monitors regulating devices, pressure gauges and recording of tank levels. Operator manages portable bulk nitrogen supply, carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide systems that directly support the surgical suites.


Work Schedule: Work Schedule is rotating shifts as needed to staff Energy Center 24/7. Frequently requires 16 hour shifts.
Position Description Title/PD#: Utility Systems Operator/PDHA549-00769-A
Physical Requirements: Frequently work in confined areas in and around boilers. Requires moderate to strenuous effort and long periods of walking, standing, climbing, bending, and crouching. Frequently lift and carry boiler parts and chemical supplies weighing up to 40 pounds unassisted. Occasionally, and with assistance, carries items weighing over 40 pounds.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
• Subject to a background/suitability investigation
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• A complete application package; including Resume, Transcripts, etc. is 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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents).
• 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.

Beginning September 27, 2025, Federal agencies will only accept resumes up to two pages in length to comply with the Merit Hiring Plan. Resumes longer than two pages will result in ineligibility for further consideration for the position. USAJOBS will not allow you to upload or build resumes longer than two pages, and you will need to update the resumes in your profile before applying for a job. Resumes should include information relevant to the knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies of the position to which you are applying. VA is unable to make assumptions about qualifications if not clearly listed.

Resumes must be legible so they can be reviewed for eligibility, minimum qualifications and other position requirements listed in the job announcement.


As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 2-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:

• Dexterity and Safety
• Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair
• Interpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading)
• Machine Tools
• Measuring Instruments
• Technical Practices
• 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.

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.

Documents Accepted:

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• PCS Orders
• Performance Appraisal
• 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.

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