Skip to main content
U.S. flag
 

Utility Systems Repairer-Operator Leader

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
Veterans Health Administration

Summary

This position serves as a Utility System Repairer Operator Leader located at the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center (RJDVAMC) under the supervision of the Boiler Plant Operations Supervisor and assigned to Facility Management Services (FMS).

Overview

Help
Accepting applications
Posted this week · Apply by 07/06/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on July 6, 2026
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$36.52 - $42.53 per hour
Pay scale & grade
WL 10
Promotion potential
None
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Not required
Appointment type
Permanent
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
Yes
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
CBSS-12989600-26-BS
Control number
874107600

Videos

Duties

Help

Major duties include but are not limited to:

  • Leading other workers in accomplishing equipment replacement and repair for the HVAC/chiller system, Boiler Plant, steam piping system, and the Building Automation System (BAS).
  • Assigning work tasks to be performed by the team.
  • Answering questions and providing guidance to other workers on procedures, policies, written instructions, directives, and technical orders.
  • Operates, monitors, adjusts, calibrates, and repairs various electronic elements of the building environmental monitoring control system, automated electronic combustion systems on power boilers, chillers, and other electronic programmable controllers related to steam, refrigeration, medical air/gas systems, pneumatic air systems, air conditioning systems, etc., to troubleshoot malfunctions of the complex systems under automated controls.
  • Responsible for Boiler Plant automation and Building Automation System (BAS) that integrates and uses special computers to store operating parameters and initiates adjustments when systems become out of range or in alarm conditions.
  • Records and documents boiler and condensate water tests, temperatures, pressures, water levels, and all other Boiler Plant operational readings as required.
  • Installs, repairs, replaces, and troubleshoots a variety of complex equipment and systems.
  • Perform HVAC/R duties consist of diagnosing, troubleshooting, repairing, replacing, maintaining, and operating all chillers, refrigeration, and HVAC mechanical systems.
  • Maintains inspection readiness on all Energy Center programs and ensures that all programs are ready for no-notice/short notice inspections.
  • Works in compliance with Engineering Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and VA Policies, standards and regulations
Work Schedule: The duties of this position require 24 hours a day coverage, 7 days a week, and may require working flexible and compressed schedules, as well as overnight, weekend, and holiday shifts.
Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Available
Position Description Title/PD#: Utility Systems Repairer-Operator Leader/PD10127A'
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not authorized
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Requirements

Help

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
  • Subject to background/security investigation
  • Pre-employment physical required
  • 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 identification 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 or 2-year trial 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 or trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/06/2026.

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)
  • Lead or Supervise
  • Materials
  • Measuring Instruments
  • Technical Practices
  • Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment


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: Subjected to sustained physical effort in the operation of power boilers, chillers, HVAC/Requipment, steam distribution systems, chilled water distribution systems; physical requirements may include working from ladders, scaffolds, and platforms where parts of the system are in hard-to-reach places. Work is carried out in tiring positions such as standing, crouching, stooping, kneeling, and prone for long periods of time. Occasionally, the incumbent will be required to lift items in the excess of 50 pounds and 100 pounds with assistance. The incumbent frequently lifts, carries, and sets up parts and equipment that weighs up to 50 pounds.

Working Conditions: Subject to hazards of refrigerants, fumes, boiler bursts, steam blow back, flame blow backs, scalding water, burns and electrical shock. Exposed frequently to temperature extremes, high noise levels, drafts, dampness, water, and noise for work conditions. The majority of work takes place in an industrial environment but does require work outdoors, exposed to the elements. Incumbent will frequently encounter ladders, catwalks, confined spaces, etc., and is subjected to hazards normally encountered in the trade and may be exposed to asbestos.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information


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.

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. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Veterans Health Administration


Veterans CHOOSE and TRUST Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center because of exceptional staff, with a heart for service, who pledge to provide service excellence in the delivery of high-quality health care. Dole VA is located in the heart of Wichita, Kansas, the largest city in the state of Kansas with a metro population of roughly 500,000. Wichita is charming in appearance with a reasonably priced housing market, 8 shopping districts, 28 art galleries, 33 museums, and award-winning cultural opportunities such as The Wichita Grand Opera, Music Theater of Wichita, and the Wichita Symphony Orchestra. Services offered at the Dole VA include (but not limited to):

  • Primary Care Services in Wichita, Dodge City, Hays, Hutchinson, Parsons, and Salina, serving over 24,000 veterans per year.
  • 22 Medical and Surgical Specialties, serving over 50,000 veterans per year.
  • 6 Surgery suites, performing 2,000 cases per year.
  • 9 bed Emergency Department, serving 22,000 veterans per year.
  • 30 bed Community Living Center combined with at 10 bed Hospice unit.
  • Behavioral Health provides support for over 65,000 veterans per year.
  • 8 bed Intensive Care Unit and 4 bed Step Down Unit.
  • 29 Medical/Surgical beds (soon to be all private rooms).
  • Home Based Primary Care serving over 200 veterans.
  • Telehealth services and other virtual care options available for all veterans.
  • Substance Abuse Residential Rehab Treatment Facility with 14 beds.

Agency contact information

Brett Schmalstieg
Phone
913-758-6457
Email
Brett.Schmalstieg@va.gov
Address
Robert J Dole VA Medical and Regional Office Center
5500 East Kellogg Drive
Wichita, KS 67218
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at Veterans Health Administration, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

https://www.va.gov/jobs/

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.