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Utility Systems Operator

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
This job announcement has closed

Summary

The primary purpose of this position is to work as a Boiler Plant Operator in the boiler plant. The position will be supervised by the Utility Systems Repairer-Operator Supervisor at the Stratton VA Medical Center.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
11/22/2022 to 02/28/2023
Salary
$28.47 to - $33.34 per hour
Pay scale & grade
WG 10
Location
2 vacancies in the following location:
Albany, NY
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time - 2nd or 3rd Shift
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
CBTE-11735924-23-KH
Control number
690765600

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

ALL US CITIZENS DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.205) for this occupation. This is an open continuous announcement. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become available. Applications will remain on file until May 31, 2023.

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Duties

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This is an open continuous announcement. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become available. Applications will remain on file until May 31, 2023.

Physical Plant Operations

The incumbent answers and facilitates trouble calls from the hospital on off hours and perform first response actions and correct urgent problems. The incumbent may be called upon to perform duties normally considered outside the incumbent's expertise, exercising judgement and using creativity to solve problems. If the situation dictates excessive time or assistance, the operator has the authority to call in off-duty employees on an overtime basis and if the situation warrants, informing the USRO Supervisor, M&O Supervisor, M&O Manager, and /or the Chief Engineer.
Instrumentation
The incumbent works independently to troubleshoot, repair, modify, overhaul, test, calibrate and install a variety of multi- component industrial and precision instruments and equipment as it relates to both the Boiler Plant and Chiller Plant. The equipment and systems normally serviced are interdependent electrical, mechanical and Hydraulic devices which control and regulate flows, pressures and levels. The incumbent will work using operating principles, blueprints, diagrams, technical manuals, test equipment trade tools.
Plumbing
The incumbent performs plumbing related duties which include planning, layout, and routing or piping systems. The incumbent must be able to work from sketches and blueprints or other technical data. The cumbent will work on the installation and repair of different types of piping which include copper, galvanized steel, black iron, PVC, Carbon Steel, Plastic tubing, Stainless tubing as well as transition couplings and valves associated with these materials. All plumbing and piping must meet trade standards, Material specifications and codes for Water, Air, High pressure steam, Boiler Condensate, Fuel oil, and Natural gas. Other duties include repairing various pumps and general plumbing maintenance.
Electrical
The incumbent has experience with various Electrical systems, AC, DC, single phase and 3 phase, Machinery Control Centers, control isolation and read circuit diagrams pertaining power supply, boiler controls, pump controls, Fan controls, DDC panels, UPS supplies, electric actuated control valve systems and various instrumentation. Incumbent will independently trouble shoot and repair electrical circuits, single phase and 3 phase motors, switches, starter circuits, Variable Frequency drives, and other process controls. Have knowledge of the NFPA Electrical code and electrical lock out tag out procedures.
Boiler Plant Operator
The incumbent starts, operates, adjusts, stops, maintains, and performs various operational repairs on single or multiple fuel power boilers and associated auxiliary and pollution control equipment. The boilers operated at this facility are duel fuel utilizing both oil and natural gas to produce the steam required to meet changing load demands. The boilers require constant attention to maintain efficiency and control the formation of pollutants. He or she maintains efficient combustion levels and ensure compliance with air pollution laws or regulations. Through the use of both manual and automatic control systems, boiler plant operators monitor, adjust, and control all phases of boiler plant operations.
Air Conditioning Equipment Operator
The incumbent operates a centralized, multiple zone system, checking temperature sensing points in the buildings, adjust controls, start, regulate, stop air handling equipment, and reset temperature controls and steam spray valves for humidity control. He or she log gauge readings, test water in cooling towers and record results of water condition tests, perform operator maintenance, and replace minor parts. Due to the size and complexity of the facility
and end users (e.g., industrial, computer and telecommunications areas, hospital operating rooms, special research laboratories that contain sensitive measuring equipment, clinical laboratories, or intensive care wards) the incumbent requires a more extensive knowledge and skillset when compared to other facilities. Perform other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: 2nd Shift 4:00pm - Midnight OR 3rd Shift; Midnight - 8:00am
Position Description Title/PD#: Utility Systems Operator/PD21l91O
Physical Requirements: The position will frequently work in confined areas in and around boilers and support equipment. The work requires moderate to strenuous effort and long periods of walking, standing, climbing, bending, and crouching. The position frequently will lift and carry boiler parts and chemical supplies weighing up to 18 kilograms (40 pounds) unassisted and occasionally items weighing over 18 kilograms (40 pounds) with assistance of other workers or weight handling equipment.

Requirements

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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

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. 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:

  • Ability to Do the Work of the Position without More Than Normal Supervision
  • Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (Other Than Blueprint Reading)
  • Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation, and Repair, etc.
  • Operation of Job Family Specify Equipment, Machinery, etc.
  • Technical Practices (Theoretical, Precise, Artistic)
  • Use of Measuring Instruments


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.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website which can be found at https://www.opm.gov/.

Receiving Service Credit for 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.

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

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, 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. Applicants will be referred in the order in which they were received. .

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