Duties

Summary

The incumbent serves as a Utility Systems Repairer / Operator (Operator-In-Charge) performing tasks involved in the operation, maintenance, and repair of the Washington, D.C. VAMC Utility Plants. The Operator-In-Charge is assigned full shift responsibility during shifts assigned. Incumbent will work under the supervision of the Utility Systems Supervisor, with second level direction provided by the Maintenance and Operations General Foreman.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

The incumbent serves as a Utility Systems Repairer / Operator (Operator-In-Charge) performing tasks involved in the operation, maintenance, and repair of the Washington, D.C. VAMC Utility Plants. The Operator-In-Charge is assigned full shift responsibility during shifts assigned. Incumbent will work under the supervision of the Utility Systems Supervisor, with second level direction provided by the Maintenance and Operations General Foreman. This position performs a full range of tasks that are involved in the upkeep, maintenance and operation of the Boiler Plant, Building Automation System (BAS) and the Chiller Plant onsite and at various Community Based Outpatient Clinics in the local commuting area.

The incumbent is required to perform these duties, but are not limited to the following:

• Perform hourly rounds on equipment and records readings in accordance with policies and procedures.
• Maintain Plant log books and records and provide proper shift turnover to oncoming Operator.
• Perform troubleshooting and diagnostics on all equipment as assigned and make repairs as necessary and required.
• Perform routine scheduled preventive maintenance. Maintain logs of scheduled and daily operations. Write, complete, and close work orders as required.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, schematics, and diagrams.
• Ability to select and use hand tools, power tools, and test equipment in the course of assignments and repairs.
• Perform repairs, i.e. rebuilding pumps, replacing items such as mechanical seals, bearings, valves, pipefitting's, and motors. Repairing insulation, repacking valves and re-piping systems is also required along with various other repairs as determined by the Plant Supervisor.
• Occasionally install new equipment and systems that fall within the scope of journeyman level work as determined by Operations General Foreman and Plant Supervisors.
• Monitor and communicate with appropriate persons per medical center policy concerning station fire alarms, disaster notification and various other alarms systems.
• Perform all operations in a safe and efficient manner. Equipment must be started and stopped to match load and to maintain maximum efficiency.
• Perform various housekeeping functions within the assigned Plant and other duties, as assigned, as they relate to the overall mission of FMS and the Washington, DC VAMC.
• Incumbent ensures that all steam heat exchangers, coils and associated equipment are operated IAW manufacturer recommendations and VA Heating Plant Operations policies.
• Operate and / or monitor graphic control systems and various metering systems for the chiller plant, and Medical Center HVAC systems.
• Routinely collect samples in the Chiller Plants, condensate, and makeup water systems. Perform and analyze chemical tests on collected samples and chemically treats water systems to maintain proper chemical levels.
• Operate, maintain, and repair a Chilled Water Plant that consists of two (2) 1200 ton, one (1) 1500 ton, two (2) 400 ton and two (2) 600 ton hermetic centrifugal chillers, four(4) cooling towers, and associated equipment.
• Operate and / or monitor graphic control systems and various metering systems for the Chiller Plant, and Medical Center HVAC systems.
• Routinely collect treated water, chilled water loops, cooling tower, and heating loops samples from the Chiller Plant. Perform and analyze chemical tests on collected samples and chemically treat water systems to maintain proper chemical levels.
• Perform repairs to large air handling units, rebuild pumps, replace items such as mechanical seals, bearings, valves, pipefitting's, and motors. Repairing insulation, repacking valves and re-piping systems is also required along with various other repairs as determined by the Operations Foreman.
• Perform diagnostics and repairs to both DDC and pneumatic controls and control systems.19. Incumbent shall wear a half face or full face respirator when required to operations and repairs.

Work Schedule: Shift Work; Tour of Duty: 6:00am-2:00pm, 10:00pm-6:00am, 2:00pm-10:00pm
Position Description Title/PD#: Utility Systems Repairer-Operator/688-20037-A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
None

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Pre-employment physical required
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Current, valid EPA Universal Certification

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/10/2020.

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:

• Building and Construction
• Critical Thinking
• Customer Service
• Decision Making
• Mechanical
• Project Management
• Troubleshooting

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.

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions: Regular walking tours of the plant, main hospital, and outer buildings to conduct inspections of
equipment which include some lifting, kneeling, standing, climbing and stooping. Maintenance and repairs frequently require working in awkward and cramped positions and lifting up to fifty (50) pounds. Frequent standing, walking, and climbing are required while checking equipment.

Work is performed on a rotating shift basis. Plant coverage is 24/7/365 days and is normally between the hours of 10 p.m. - 6 a.m., 6 a.m. - 2 p.m. and 2 p.m. - 10 p.m. Most work is done inside with routine exposure to surrounding temperatures in excess of 100 degrees Fahrenheit, chemicals used in chiller, and water treatment, steam in excess of 300 degrees Fahrenheit, loud noise, and occasional inclement weather. The use of protective clothing or gear, such as rubber aprons, steel-toed boots, hearing protection, safety goggles, gloves or face shield, is frequently required. Incumbent will be issued with arc flash rated uniforms, to include pants, long sleeve shirts, and cotton tee shirts that are required to be worn in full while on duty. Incumbent may also be exposed to the following dangers: Electrical shock, Hydrocarbon refrigerants, chemical splashes and burns, scalds, cuts, bruises, or broken bones.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or 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.

Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator.

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified (have a final rating of 85 or more) for this vacancy. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/ .

Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Financial disclosure not required.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application .

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.

Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
No

Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Trust determination process
Suitability/Fitness

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• EPA Universal Technician Certification
• Resume

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• EPA Universal Technician Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx .