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 include but not limited to:

Utility System Repair:

• You will install, recognize 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.
• You will 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. Shall perform work typical of a journeyman plumber; shall install, modify, and repair utility systems and equipment such as water, gas, and supply, drain, condensate return and vent lines.
• You will be responsible for developing a good working knowledge of the Department of Veterans Affairs boiler safety directive 1810 and other applicable VA policies and procedures.
• You will perform major and minor repairs to equipment and operate in accordance with VA regulations and directives, facility policies, local standard operating procedures and good engineering practice.
• You use equipment instruction sheets, blueprints, drawings, and oral or written instructions. Performs work using tools of the general mechanic trade, pipe wrenches, gas welding torches, grinders, drill presses, small hand tools, and electrical diagnostic meters.

Boiler Operator:

• You will make periodic visual checks of equipment to ensure proper operation; operates manual and automatic control instruments and high pressure gas/oil fired boilers required for continuous Boiler Plant Operation.
• You will checks and make adjustments to feed water regulators and pumps. Checks steam, airflow, gas, and/or oil meters and fuel gas-temperature records. Fires on oil eight hours or more each month. Fires up or takes boilers offline. Frequently checks water levels and steam pressure gauges; opens intake valves to add water or to blow off steam. Ensures proper operation of heat recovery system to maximize heat recovery and minimize thermal pollution.
• You will calculate treatment requirements, making determination of required chemicals to be added to boilers and de-aerating tank to treat water or control corrosion/scale formation.
• You will accomplish system/equipment repairs or adjustments noting technical difficulties in system/equipment operations (e.g., rerolls tubes; repairs refractories and pumps; replaces fan motors; dismantles/cleans/repacks valves, pistons, and/or seals; mounts, connects, and adjusts transformers, motors, electrodes, relays; solenoids, rheostats, aqua-stats, stack switches, and/or ducts.
• You will operate and test fire/disaster alarm equipment and emergency communications. Services key role in sounding station fire/disaster alarms and maintaining emergency communications with local public safety offices/officials.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Sunday- Saturday 8:00am-4:00pm or 4:00pm-12:00am; or 12:00am-8:00am.
Position Description Title/PD#: Utility Systems Repairer-Operator/PD80444A
Recruitment/Relocation Incentive: Not Authorized.

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.
• General restriction on movement after competitive appointment 5 CFR 330.502.
• Upon selection a Valid, State's driver license is required.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Required Documents" below for details

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within the 30 days of 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:

• Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair
• Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading)
• Materials
• Operation of Equipment/Machinery
• Technical Practices
• 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.

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.

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.

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)
• Series and Grade, if applicable, for all Federal positions you have held

DO NOT include the following types of information in your resume:

• Classified or Government Sensitive Information
• Social Security Number (SSN)
• 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.

Recommended: Even though we do not require a specific resume format, your resume must be clear so that we are able to fully evaluate your qualifications. To ensure you receive appropriate consideration, please list the duties you performed under each individual job title. If we are unable to match your experiences with the positions held, you may lose consideration for this vacancy. We cannot make assumptions regarding your qualifications.

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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.