Utility Systems Repairer-Operator Job in Walla Walla, WA

Vacancy No. CBSV-12753856-25-SL Department Veterans Health Administration
Salary $32.36 to $37.76 Grade 10 to 10
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 6/25/2025 Close Date 7/24/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Walla Walla, WA


Summary

The Utility Systems Repairer-Operator, WG-4742-10, at the Johnathan M Wainwright VA Medical Center in Walla Walla, WA will fill in on various shifts and perform duties within the Boiler Plant Section, Facilities Management Service.

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 not limited to:

  • Makes periodic visual checks of equipment to ensure proper operation.
  • Checks steam, airflow, gas, and/or oil meters and fuel gas-temperature records.
  • Collects/draws boiler, condensate, feed, and soft water samples and conducts water tests.
  • Analyzes results determining acidity, causticity, and alkalinity by using prescribed reagents, color slides, or other standards.
  • Accomplishes system/equipment repairs or adjustments noting technical difficulties in system/equipment operations (e.g., rerolls tubes; repairs refractories and pumps; replaces fan motors.
  • Uses varied hand and power tools in maintaining systems/equipment and making minor repairs or adjustments.
  • Operates and tests fire/disaster alarm equipment and emergency communications.
  • Work involves installing, recognizing the problem or cause of faulty equipment, and making repairs on a variety of electric and gas hot water boilers and their compressors, condensers, coils, fans, electrical/air operated control systems.
  • Install, modify, and repair by setting up piping routes and equipment locations, placing and cutting openings in floors, walls, and ceilings that may be constructed of concrete, wood, plaster, metal, etc.
  • Assesses and inspects, several times per day, low pressure hot water boilers located in multiple buildings across the Walla Walla VA campus.
  • Uses proper materials and to have the knowledge of various codes or procedures to complete the jobs in order to layout a job.
  • Skill to read and interpret results of devices such as gauges and meters.
  • Working knowledge of how various high temperature/pressure piping systems and equipment are installed and operate.
  • Plans and lays out the installation, modification, or repair to systems or equipment according to acceptable trade practices and codes.

Work Schedule: Sunday- Saturday 8:00am-4:00pm or 4:00pm-12:00am; or 12:00pm-8:00pm.
Position Description Title/PD#: Utility Systems Repairer-Operator/PD80444A
Physical Requirements: Work requires moderate to heavy physical exertion (40 pounds) while lifting, transporting, carrying, pulling, moving, handling, or setting up Ladders, scaffolds, materials, tools, equipment, etc. Repairs, maintenance, and/or observation work requires kneeling, stretching, pushing, pulling, crouching, stooping, bending, climbing, and walking/standing for long periods of time and negotiating confined spaces. Works from ladder, scaffold, platform, ground level, or hard to reach places requiring climbing ladders, reaching over and under while in cramped, awkward, tiring, and/or uncomfortable positions. Uses hand, eye, leg, and body coordination while performing assigned work.

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. The screen-out element is ability to do the work of the position without more than normal supervision. Examples include: Knowledge of automatic/manual gas/oil fired fire tube high pressure boilers and auxiliary equipment sufficient to operate, maintain, test, and repair a complete boiler plant steam generating system. Experience with water softening systems sufficient to operate and maintain system including conduct of periodic water testing, regeneration, and backwashing. Basic operations of station fire alarm control panel equipment and related emergency procedures. Boiler water treatment and water sample collecting techniques sufficient to perform chemical tests to determine alkalinity, acidity, or causticity. Functions, operations, and maintenance requirements of a wide variety of flow meters, recorders, charts, meters, gauges, alarms, and signals reflecting steam production, demand, and pressure; fuel use; fuel/air ratio; excess air boiler steam, and water temperatures; boiler water level; make-up demand; and stack gas composition. Steam generation systems, plant layout, auxiliary equipment, and control systems sufficient to quickly locate problems or trouble and determine appropriate action necessary to maintain safe and adequate steam production. Skill and ability to accomplish system/equipment repairs and/or adjustments; operates, maintains, repairs, and adjusts coordinated operation and maintenance requirements of a complex steam generation system.


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 (includes blueprint reading)
  • Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
  • 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.

Working Conditions: Rotates shifts on a recurring basis providing 24 hour-per- day coverage seven days a week. Works without oversight during evening, night, weekend, and holiday tours of duty and is completely in charge of boiler plant operations during these hours and is responsible for ensuring safe and efficient plant operations adequate to meet station needs. Responsible for conducting tests of boiler safety devices (e.g., flame detection scanner, low water cutoffs, high pressure steam alarm, etc.); compiling daily and monthly efficiency reports; and performing all preventive maintenance on boilers and equipment. Responsible for prioritizing assignments to accomplish work efficiently and effectively. Responsible for independent accomplishment of work assignments by interpreting/reading results and determining nature/extent of maintenance or repair required. Responsible for planning and proper layout of work; planning work sequences, selecting tools/materials or equipment, determining work methods/techniques, and accomplishing in accordance with trade practices. Responsible for use/safekeeping of tools, materials, and equipment. Responsible for exercising sound judgment and initiative in coping with unusual, extraordinary work circumstances/situations. The incumbent works indoors in adequately lighted and ventilated conditions. The BPO is exposed to high ambient temperatures from boilers and equipment noise. Danger of boiler bursts; gas line ruptures; carbon monoxide poisoning; scalds/burns; gas, oil, or sulfur fumes; water treatment/test chemicals; and/or hazards of working with large scale combustion processes, steam under high pressure vessels, or moving machinery. Works recurring rotational shift assignments including nights, weekends, and holidays proving continuous 7 day 24-hours coverage.

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 following will be communicated to applicants for VA employment in a testing designated position and will also be included in all VA vacancy announcements for such positions: All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drugs use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.

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.

Resume Reminder - Your resume must include the following information for each job listed:

  • Job title
  • Duties (be as detailed as possible)
  • Month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008)
  • Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)
  • Salary/Rank etc.
  • Series and Grade, if applicable, for all Federal positions you have held
  • References, current or recent supervisor

Do not include the following types of information in your resume:

  • Classified or Government sensitive information
  • Social Security Number (SNN)
  • Photos of yourself
  • Personal information, such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.

Please be aware that your answers will be verified against information provided on your resume. Be sure that your resume clearly supports your responses to all of the questions by addressing your work experience in detail. The experience stated in your resume must support your assessment responses.

Required Documents

Documents Accepted:

  • Cover Letter
  • DD-214/ Statement of Service
  • Disability Letter (Schedule A)
  • Disability Letter (VA)
  • License
  • Other (1)
  • 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.

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 07/03/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12753856.

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

Sandy Lee
Address
Jonathan M Wainwright Memorial VA Medical Center
77 Wainwright Drive
Walla Walla, WA 99362
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.