Utility Systems Operator

Utility Systems Operator

Department of Veterans Affairs

Veterans Health Administration

Summary

This primary purpose of the position is to operate and maintain the machinery
that provides power for heating, cooling, and ventilation in the VA Medical Center. Starts and
stops equipment and monitors meters and safety controls. Ensures that the systems operate safely
and economically by regularly inspecting meters, gauges, values, and instruments. Adjusts
equipment when needed. Keeps records of meter readings. Often uses hand or power tools to make
minor repairs to machinery.

This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency

This vacancy is open to all US Citizens

Duties

DUTIES INCLUDE BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

• operating and repairing of two 500 h.p. and one 350 h.p. Nebraska "D" type water tube multi-fuel gas/oil-fired high-pressure boilers which are capable of producing 46,750 lbs./hr. steam each at 125 P.S.I.
• operating and repairing of all equipment relevant to the operation of these boilers. This includes feed water pumps, fuel oil feed pumps, fuel oil transfer pumps, feedwater pumps, condensate make up/feed transfer pumps, values, regulating valves, reducing stations, unit heaters, emergencies repair of air compressor systems, all piping, condensate return tank, blow down tank, D.A. tank, and pollution control equipment.
• maintaining the water softeners and regenerating as necessary.
• testing and treatment of boiler water, condensate return water, water softeners, also maintaining the chemical injection

system.

• maintaining a pre-established chemical level in the boilers and handling of hazardous/toxic chemicals
• calculating efficiencies on the boilers in operation; figures make up water percentage, average O2, stack temperature, pollution emissions, feed water temperature, steam to out buildings, and the high low steam loads for the 24-hour period
• operating and repairing to the central air conditioning plant, equipment consisting of 1350 tons of electrically generated air conditioning capacity
• operating and repairing of all equipment related to the air conditioning plant such as 3- 450-ton Trane Compressor Centrifugal chillers using R134A refrigerant, two Baltimore Air coil Series 3000 Industrial Cooling Towers, pumps, and motors up to 25 Horsepower (chilled water, condenser water, refrigerant, etc.), chemical injection system and

all electrical and pneumatic controls.

• operating the Johnson METASYS Computer System which controls heat, ventilation, air conditioning (H.V.A.C.) throughout various locations of this station
• operating and monitoring of the fire alarm panel, phone, police radio, elevator alarms, medical gas alarms, emergency generators, all plant logs, and responsible for calculation of the VA Medical Center emergency needs during the shift and

running procedures for emergency call back and emergency preparedness plans

• monitoring the NETWORK fire alarm computer system and acts on all alarms
• repairing most major and minor preventative maintenance as well as all routine safety checks on all equipment located in both the Boiler and Air Conditioning Plants.

Location: Reno, NV

Salary: $29.05 - $33.90 per hour

Pay Scale & Grade: WG-9

Work Schedule: All Tours, Rotational
Position Description Title/PD#: Utility Systems Operator/PD02329A
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
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Pre-employment physical required
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 03/14/2025.

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:

• Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair
• Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading)
• Materials
• Measuring Instruments
• Technical Practices

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:
There can be a great deal of physical effort involved with this position as the equipment is large
and must be maneuvered into and out of specific locations while dismantling and reassembling.
The incumbent frequently carries and sets up parts and equipment that could weight up to 100
pounds. Incumbent makes repairs and installations from ladders, scaffolding and platforms where
the parts of systems worked on are frequently in hard-to-reach places, therefore, stooping, bending,
and kneeling maybe required for long periods of time. He/she needs to be familiar with lifting
dynamics and heavy object handling and must pass an annual physical for plant operators.

Working Conditions:
Most of the work is done inside, but the incumbent is frequently subject to sudden temperature
changes when working on equipment. Occasionally subject to cuts, electrical shocks, abnormal
heat, hazard of boiler burst, steam blowbacks, scalding water burns, toxic amounts of gas and
hazardous/toxic chemicals that can be harmful to skin and clothing.

• Normal Operations- Steel Toed Shoes, Leather Gloves, Safety Glasses, Flame Retardant Uniforms and Hearing Protection.
• Daily activities- Chemical testing and treatment of Boiler Water, Steam, Condensate, Chilled Water and Condenser Water. Face Shield/Safety Goggles, Rubber Gloves, Rubber Apron for daily chemical testing.
• Periodic Activities- Tyvek suites or Rain Gear, Respirator for cleaning Boilers, Tyvek suites or Rain Gear, Respirator for cleaning Chillers and Cooling Towers.

Education

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

Additional information

**The incumbent of this position performs operator and repairer duties on a rotating shift basis. The operators work a total of 10 days per pay period, that's 21 to 23 days a month. When fully staffed there are 2 operators working together for 4 days on day shift only. Swing and graveyard shift they work alone. The operator in charge works a rotating shift of days, swing shift, and graveyard shift. The Operator in Charge will work alone, exercising complete responsibility as when working the evening, night, or weekend shifts. The incumbent will have Operator in Charge duties 75% of the time.

**These plants provide 24 hour-a-day, 7 day-a week, and year round production of steam in a plant with a capacity of 46,750 pounds per hour, and for the generation of chilled water in a plant with the capacity of 1350 tons of refrigeration. As Operator-In-Charge (OIC), the incumbent must have a higher level of skill and knowledge of the entire utility system and user requirements to locate problems and initiate corrective actions. The OIC has the responsibility to decide whether to shut down operations or attempt to bypass problems is start additional equipment until corrective action has been completed. The OIC is the Facility Manager's representative during off hours and has the responsibility to determine what work must be completed and has the authority to approve overtime or call-in contractor support. The incumbent is responsible for relaying instructions to the next shift OIC including problems encountered and actions taken.

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.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

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.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $29.05 - $33.90 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Must be a U.S. Citizen

Ability to Commute:

• Reno, NV 89502 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Reno, NV 89502: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $29 - $34