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:

• 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.

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.

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.