Utility Systems Repairer-Operator

Summary The position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration (VHA) at West Palm Beach (WPB) VA Medical Center (VAMC) under direct supervision of the Operations Shop Supervisor, and is assigned to the Energy Center of the Engineering Service. The Energy Center consists of a Chiller Plant - four (4) 1000 ton centrifugal chillers with variable frequency/variable speed drives (VFSD), including 5 cooling towers and pumps. 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 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) Qualifications To qualify for this position you must meet the below requirements. Screen out: .You must have the ability to do the work of the position without more than normal supervision. Performing preventative maintenance and repairs on all boilers to include repairing and replacing valves, water pipes, pumps, motors, gauges, steam lines, burner controls, fans, refractory, and oxygen analyzing equipment, bearings, insulation, strainers, and pneumatic controls and on large capacity chillers, pumps, cooling towers and automated control equipment; repairing, operating, and maintaining large centrifugal chillers found in large commercial infrastructures. AND PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK CONDITIONS: PHYSICAL EFFORT Light to medium physical effort is required in observing equipment and adjusting controls. The work requires continual standing and walking also lifting up to 50 fifty pounds and more with assistance. Occasionally works in awkward and cramped conditions when making repairs. Some standing, stooping, bending, and working on ladders is required. WORKING CONDITIONS Work is performed in the Energy Center, which includes the Chiller Plant, Boiler plant. and EMCS; and Cooling Tower and also in Mechanical rooms, sometimes outside, occasionally in inclement weather. Incumbent is exposed to the possibility of boiler bursts and steam blowback, toxic gases, refrigerants, fumes, and scalds, subject to cuts, bruises, and broken bones while working around machinery and equipment. Noise level is often high and ear protection is required, other protective devices such as goggles, masks, and gloves will be worn. 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: Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading) Materials Measuring Instruments Technical Practices Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment 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. Education This job does not have an education qualification requirement. Additional information 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. 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. Read more Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window Learn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.