Utility Systems Repairer-Operator Job in Joliet, IL

Vacancy No. HN-12717298-25-AB Department Veterans Health Administration
Salary $33.42 to $38.96 Grade 10 to 10
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 3/27/2025 Close Date 4/7/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Joliet, IL


Summary

The incumbent serves as a Utilities Systems Repairer-Operator within the Facilities Management Service/Engineering Branch at the Joliet CBOC, located in Joliet, IL. Incumbent is supervised by the Boiler Plant Operator Supervisor whose duty station will rotate between the Hines VA and the Joliet CBOC.

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

This position is located at the Joliet CBOC located in Joliet, IL. The work involves testing, maintaining, troubleshooting, repairing, operations, and documenting all low pressure/ hot water boilers and associated systems on campus and air conditioning related equipment.

MAJOR DUTIES:

Boiler Plant Duties:

  • Test, maintain, troubleshoot, repair, and document all low pressure/ hot water boilers and associated systems on campus. Incumbent works from oral instructions, blueprints, work orders, SOPs, and directives and policies.
  • Complete all required boiler safety device testing for the low pressure/ hot water boilers.
  • Incumbent will take readings every 4 hours, monitoring chemical levels and adjusting the chemical makeup, adjusting the boiler settings and operation.
  • Perform preventive maintenance inspection of low pressure/hot water boilers and auxiliary equipment and make minor repairs and adjustments to prevent break down and to increase efficiency equipment.
Air Conditioning Equipment Duties:
  • Responds to emergency calls such as no heat or other troubles during operation and diagnose troubles and make necessary adjustments or repairs.
  • Respond to outbuilding trouble calls, domestic hot and cold-water systems, troubleshoot, repair, and maintain HVAC equipment.
  • Perform the full range of operations, maintenance and repair of steam and hot water boilers, chillers, air handlers, including related equipment and systems throughout the campus.
  • Conduct inspections of the facilities and equipment to ensure all meet OSHA, Life Safety, Joint Commission and industry standards.
Pipefitter Duties:
  • Repairs high pressure Johnson control valves, high pressure heat exchangers, check valves, pack high pressure gate valves, repairs high pressure bolted flanges, expansion joints, expansion tanks, fan coils, convectors, automatic relief valves, gauges, and other monitoring equipment.
  • Install and repair high pressure circulating and condensate lines and pumps, tests systems and equipment on completion of repair or modification to insure proper operation. Is sometimes required to make emergency repairs on high temperature and high-pressure hot water systems.
  • Works on piping from size 1/8" to 12" diameter; installs steam radiators, fins, Modine Heating Units, and other types of heating systems. Is responsible for the maintenance and repair of high-pressure steam traps and steam operated coils.
  • Drain and refill piping risers for maintenance work.

Work Schedule: 12:00AM to 8:00AM, Sunday - Thursday
Position Description Title/PD#: Utility Systems Repairer-Operator/PD13158A
Physical Requirements: Work assignments require high physical effort. The employee is frequently required to perform heavy lifting up to 50 pounds. They are continually required to stand while working and must frequently climb ladders and scaffolds. Frequent standing, walking, bending, crouching, reaching, and stooping is required. Routine climbing and work in high places on ladders and roof tops is be required.
Working Conditions: Work involves frequently climbs ladders and scaffolding and works in awkward positions. Assists in lifting and carrying assemblies to be installed. Subject to the hazards of the trade such as cuts, bruises, dust, dirt danger of falls from ladders or scaffolds, eye and hand injuries when working with power equipment or occasionally subject to work in foul air where animals or pets have been kept. May work on "locked" wards and contagious wards. May be exposed to moderate or high noise levels, sawdust, various fumes, and other hazards. May work outdoors and on buildings and may be exposed to inclement weather.

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. 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 dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.

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:
  • Mechanics
  • Planning and Evaluating
  • Systems Testing and Evaluation
  • 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

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 (TJO). Please visit the Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP), va.gov/EMPLOYEE/docs/The-Fair-Chance-to-Compete-Act.pdf for more 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
  • Other (1)
  • Resume
  • Separation Notice (RIF)
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action


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.

This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.201) for this occupation. Veterans' preference does not apply.

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/12717298.

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. You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.

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

Andrea Bell
Address
Edward Hines Junior Hospital
5000 South 5th Avenue
Hines, IL 60141
US

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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