Summary This position is located within Facilities Management Service (FMS), Engineering Section. Incumbent is assigned to the operations, maintenance, and repair of a state-of-the-art combination natural gas/fuel oil/biomass steam generation plant with electrical cogeneration, and reverse osmosis and softening plant where steam is generated for heat, sterilization, cooling, and heating of water. Responsibilities Duties include, but are not limited to: Lights off, operates, secures, and maintains power boilers, electrical cogeneration turbine and associated auxiliary and pollution control equipment without other higher graded operators present. Maintains efficient combustion levels and ensure compliance with air pollution laws or regulations and determine which of four boiler systems to operate. Skills in adjusting various combustion settings to compensate for the varying qualities and types of fuels. Makes decisions on type of fuel to use to maintain efficiency of operation. Determines when to operate the electrical co-generation units by comparing overall facility steam loads to efficient plant operation. Determines when to operate absorption chillers by comparing overall facility steam loads to efficient plant operation. Operates and repairs centralized air conditioning plant consisting of a variety of commercial and industrial systems including 6 large compressors, 75 air handling units, 51 water pumps, 5 condenser water pumps, cell cooling towers, 15 air compressors, 39 ice machines, 39 nourishment centers, 40 visible frequency drivers, 65 water coolers, 10 heat converters, 95 floor converters, and 24 fume hoods. Takes compressors, pumps, air handlers, cooling towers and fans off-line or places additional ones on-line to maintain precise conditions for critical care areas (e.g., MRI Unit, Nuclear Medicine, chemistry labs, isolation rooms, hemodialysis units, environmental growth chambers, operating rooms). Work Schedule: Full-Time schedule; to include three 12 hour shifts one week and four 12 hour shifts the second week to equal a total of 80 hours per pay period. Possible hours include, 12:00 a.m. to 12:00p.m. or 12:00p.m. to 12:00a.m. on one day of the week (Monday through Sunday). Holidays may be included and weekends required. Schedule will be determined upon selection to meet the needs of the agency. Position Description Title/PD#: Utility Systems Repairer-Operator/PD92815A Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Requirements 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 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) A current, valid state-issued Driver's License is required for this position. (Please do not submit a copy of your license within your application package.) 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, 10/10/2025. 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: Without more than normal supervision Operation of Equipment/Machinery 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/Working Conditions: Operator is required to work from ladders, scaffolding, platforms, and elevated catwalks. Work requires standing, reaching, bending, climbing, lifting, and stooping as the work site dictates. Work may at or above ground level. Lifting, carrying, and handling material up to 100 lb. may be required. Operators frequently work in confined areas in and around boilers and support equipment. Work is performed both inside and outside, in all kinds of weather. Inside conditions may be hot and noisy. Operator is exposed to possible boiler scalds, gas, oil or sulfuric fumes, chemical poisoning, acid burns. Cuts, burns, bruises, and broken bones may result from accidents while working around machinery and equipment. Due to the equipment involved, and the operator working alone, the operator must be alert at all times. Education Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or 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. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. 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 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. VA Healthcare System Serving Ohio, Indiana and Michigan (VISN 10) advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.