Utility Systems Operator Supervisor Job in San Diego, CA

Vacancy No. CBSX-12654467-25-TS Department Veterans Health Administration
Salary $38.48 to $44.83 Grade 9 to 9
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 1/7/2025 Close Date 4/7/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
San Diego, CA


Summary

The Utility Systems Operator Supervisor position is located in the Central Plant of the Operations Section within the Engineering Service at the Veterans Affairs Healthcare System San Diego; a tertiary care General Medicine, Spinal Cord Injury unit, Surgery, Healthcare and Research Facility.

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

The Utilities System Operators Supervisor is in charge of the operations and maintenance of the Central plant. This includes two dual fire 24,000 lb. per hour boilers, three 1,200-ton centrifugal chillers, one 500-ton absorption chiller, and all other pertinent plant equipment including economizers, four 650 KW emergency generators, one 4.6 MW turbine cogeneration unit with 24,000 PPH waste heat boiler, electrical switchgear, medical gases, fuel and water storage systems.

Major duties include but are not limited to:

  • The incumbent sets performance standards, evaluates employees, recommends advancements, incentive awards, etc., counsels employees and initiates disciplinary and adverse actions as needed. The incumbent keeps and submits time sheets for all plant operators. Incumbent also prepares shift schedules for all shifts which must be prepared in advance for leave purposes. He/she directs work of all operators and maintains a first-class plant so that it is efficiently and safely run and accomplishes energy conservation constantly. He/she is responsible for assuring the efficient and economical accomplishment of work assignments by his/her subordinates within the work schedules set. He/she is to maintain accurate records and is responsible for preparation of administrative and technical reports relative to the Operations Section. He/she maintains an inventory of supplies as required and determines the level of inventory to be carried and the intervals at which to reorder. The incumbent prepares memorandums and recommends replacement, repair, and/or modifications to equipment, utilities and structures in order to facilitate both long and short-range planning.
  • The incumbent is responsible to respond to hospital emergency calls as the Engineering Emergency Responder after regular working hours (weekends, evenings, nights, and holidays) including locating the source of the problem (may require interstitial access) and taking necessary action to correct the deficiency. In the event where the incumbent is unable to successfully correct the problem, he/she has the authorization to call in staff for overtime, notify and dispatch 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. In absence of written contingency procedures, the incumbent has the responsibility to decide whether to shut down or attempt to bypass problems until corrective action has been completed or if the equipment remaining in operation is sufficient to handle the facility load.
  • The Central plant generates, pumps, treats, and distributes all uninterrupted utilities throughout the VASDHS Campus. On a regular and recurring basis, the incumbent alters, remodels, relocates, operates, troubleshoots, maintains, adjusts, repairs, constructs and provides design review for a modern central power plant on rotating shifts; 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Performs all work at a full range of varied and complex Engineering tasks requiring the expertise of 4 or more at the journeyman level and thorough knowledge of the remainder of the trades. Duties and responsibilities involve Pipe Fitting, Medical Air systems; Utility Air systems; Bulk Oxygen; Medical Air Compressors; Medical Vacuum; Filters and air dryers. Electrical and Electronic systems and components, High pressure Steam, Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC), Refrigeration, Control Systems; Electrical Generation, control and distribution: 4.6 Megawatt High Voltage Natural Gas Cogeneration Plant which provides 90% of normal electrical power to the entire medical center campus; 2.5 Megawatt diesel generators for Emergency Power for the entire Medical Center Campus, Fuel Oil storage, monitoring and distribution; Open and Closed Loop treated water systems, Domestic water Distribution and treatment, Deionized and Reverse Osmosis Water generation, storage and distribution; Natural Gas systems, piping, metering and control, Pneumatics, Mechanical Cooling systems, Pumping, Data input, Acquisition and Analysis, Hazard materials exposure control, Central Plant Safety, Ensures continuous operations of Utilities to the Medical Center, Energy monitoring, control and conservation using Building Management Systems.
Work Schedule: Rotating Shifts 24/7 coverage
Position Description Title/PD#: Utility Systems Operator Supervisor/PD11037A
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, must be able to work all shifts 24/7/365, including evenings, nights, weekends and holidays.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
  • Subject to a background/suitability investigation
  • 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
  • Pre-employment physical required

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:
  • Ability to Lead or Supervise
  • Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair
  • Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading)
  • Lead or Supervise
  • 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.

Other Significant Facts - Certifications Required: A physical examination is required prior to being hired for this position. Clearance to wear a respirator is required as well as annual re-certification. Must pass a physical examination including a treadmill and annual re-examination. This position is subject to medical monitoring for asbestos and annual hearing tests. Must be able to communicate fluently in English; verbally and in writing.
In order to maintain Air Pollution Control District Permit to operate conditions, must obtain Certification for Boiler Pollution Controls adjustment in Oxygen monitoring and trim control in order to maintain the proper fuel-air ratio of a properly tuned boiler and burner under varying load conditions. This will be obtained from the local representative of the Boiler and Burner Manufacturer. Uses the Veterans Health Information & Technology Architecture (VISTA) to enter data to and access the Engineering work order, equipment and Facility Space File system. Uses MS office software to access and compile data, write reports and electronic mail. Rotating Shift work will be required in order to operate the plant on a 7-day, 24-hour basis.
Must have or be able to obtain a forklift operator license. Obtain EPA certification for refrigerants

Education

There are no education requirements for this position.

Additional information

Physical Demands: Must wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as required for the job tasks including footwear. Work shifts are 24/7/365. 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 the proper PPE and working alone in the intestinal spaces between floors after hours. There are tasks that require working in restricted access and confined spaces as well as overhead work requiring ladders.

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.

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)
  • Resume
  • 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 04/07/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12654467.

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

Tonya Stewart
Address
San Diego VA Medical Center
3350 La Jolla Village Drive
San Diego, CA 92161
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.


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