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This position is responsible for the direction and supervision of journeyman Air Conditioning (AC) Mechanics, AC Operators, Boiler Operators, Refrigeration Mechanics, Maintenance Mechanics, Plumbers, Pipefitters and other as assigned in the maintenance, installation, and repair of all Utility systems and apparatus.
Duties will include, but may not be limited to the following:

• Planning: plans and coordinates the use of workers, equipment, facilities and materials on a daily or by project basis. Tracks and reports progress on work assignments and requests authority to adjust assignments and use of overtime, equipment and materials to meet schedules. Recommends changes to schedules, priorities and work sequences, making deviations or redirects resources to overcome problems such as equipment failure, material delays, or unplanned absences.
• Work Direction and Supervision: assigns work to subordinates via oral and written instructions utilizing work orders, current job analysis, and standard operating procedures (SOPs). Provides on-the-job training and technical direction in accomplishing difficult work processes. Observes work in progress to anticipate and resolve problems. Inspects work for quality and work order requirements. Reports actual and/or possible work delays to superiors.
• Administration: participates in the development of employee performance plans and makes recommendations. Regularly reviews subordinate work and provides guidance/direction and continuous feedback on strengths/weaknesses. Recommends appropriate recognitions and corrective actions, as needed, in performance management. Recommends most suitable applicants for vacant positions and restructuring of positions to achieve most effective and economical utilizations of personnel. Investigates grievances/complaints, resolving them informally where possible, and notifies supervisor of those of sufficient importance or seriousness. Maintains work reports and records (e.g., progress, production, cost, personnel, equipment, materials, and time and attendance).
• Materials, Supplies, Equipment: orders materials, maintains stock levels, including inventory of all chemicals used in the shop. Ensures compliance of contract requirements, quality assurance, etc. Continually studies new literature to keep current in the trade supervised due to rapidly changing technology. Initiates work orders for repairs and maintenance of equipment.
• Performs other related supervisory duties as necessary to ensure efficient and continuous hospital various utility systems operations.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:00am-3:30pm
Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Pre-employment physical required
• Subject to background/security investigation
• 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.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

The Utility System Operator Supervisor has experience in a hospital environment directing and supervising journeyman Air Conditioning (AC) Mechanics, AC Operators, Boiler Operators, Refrigeration Mechanics, Maintenance Mechanics, Plumbers, Pipefitters in the maintenance, installation, and repair of all Utility systems and apparatus; this position has experience that includes planning (assigns work, provides on-the-job training and technical direction in accomplishing difficult work processes, observes work in progress to anticipate and resolve problems, and inspects work for quality, work order requirements, and reports actual and/or possible work delays to superiors; participates in the development of employee performance plans and makes recommendations, and provides feedback on employee strengths/weaknesses. I have investigated grievances/complaints, resolving them informally where possible. This position maintains work reports and records (e.g., progress, production, cost, personnel, equipment, materials, and time and attendance). This position orders materials, maintained stock levels, including inventory of all chemicals used in the shop; and ensures compliance of contract requirements, quality assurance, etc.

PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK CONDITIONS: The selectee must be physically capable of monitoring accomplishment of the tasks assigned to the Operations section. They must be able to do moderate walking, bending, crawling, climbing and standing. This position does not need to qualify to operate steam boilers. Work is performed in an office, maintenance shop, or jobsite. There is frequent exposure to dirt, grease, noise, and machinery. They may be required to trouble-shoot equipment in remote areas. There is a possibility of exposure to asbestos, contagious disease, and physical hazards. Occasionally work may be in excessive hot and cold temperature, both inside and outside. May also work around equipment and machinery that has excessive noise.

Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Federal Wage System Qualifications. For this position, the job element method is used to match what you, the applicant, can do against what the work calls for. Your knowledge, skills and abilities will be compared to the knowledge, skills and abilities (called job elements) needed for success. Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element (WG-2 and higher only; screen-outs are not applicable to WG-1). Applicants who appear to meet the screen out element are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated from consideration. The potential eligibles are rated against the remainder of the job elements. While a specific length of training and experience is not required, your responses to the questionnaire must be supported by detailed descriptions of your experience on your resume.

You will be rated on the following Job Elements as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position:

• Dexterity and Safety
• Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair
• Interpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading)
• Measuring Instruments
• Operation of Equipment/Machinery
• Technical Practices
• Without more than normal supervision

IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. 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.

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; religious; 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.

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. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s).

Your responses to the assessment questionnaire will be reviewed along with the information provided in your resume and supporting documentation to determine if you are qualified for the position. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your rating may be lowered and/or you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

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.

Candidates who apply under All U.S. Citizens announcements will be rated and ranked using Category Rating procedures. Qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category. The categories are defined as follows:

• Best qualified - applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are highly proficient in all requirements of the job and can perform effectively in the position;
• Well qualified - applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in some, but not all, of the requirements of the job; and
• Qualified - applicants possessing experience and/or education that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors.

Application of Veterans' Preference: Category rating and selection procedures place those with veteran's preference above non-preference eligibles within each category. Preference eligible applicants that meet the eligibility and qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent are listed in the highest quality category.

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

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.