Utility Systems Operator-Recruitment/Relocation Authorized

Veterans Health Administration•Des Moines, IA

13d•Onsite

About The Position

The Utility Systems Operator works within the Facilities Management service line at the Central Iowa VA Health Care System in Des Moines, Iowa. The position is responsible for the efficient operation and timely completion of maintenance repairs, preventive maintenance, inspections, station-level projects, and development and project management of contracted construction projects in a central boiler and chiller plant. The operator is responsible for safe plant operations, water chemistry control, equipment maintenance and repair, and continual monitoring of plant systems. The role includes operating boilers, chillers, and related equipment; inspecting and adjusting controls and safety devices; maintaining and cleaning the plant; and documenting operational and maintenance activities. The VA Midwest Health Care Network uses a Whole Health System of care intended to empower Veterans to manage their health and well-being through personalized health plans, healing relationships, healing environments, and connection to the Veteran’s community.

Requirements

Must be a U.S. citizen.
Must meet the selective service registration requirement if male and born after December 31, 1959.
Must complete a background/suitability investigation and required onboarding steps.
Must serve a one-year probationary period.
Must demonstrate training or experience of sufficient scope and quality to perform the work; no specific length of training or experience is required.
Related experience includes operating, inspecting, and troubleshooting boilers and chillers; keeping equipment clean and lubricated; maintaining operational and maintenance logs; and performing preventive and corrective maintenance on chillers, cooling towers, boilers, pumps, steam traps, piping, and associated equipment.
Must meet the screen-out element and demonstrate the relevant job elements, including dexterity and safety, equipment assembly and repair, interpreting instructions and specifications, using measuring instruments, operating equipment and machinery, and technical practices without more than normal supervision.
Must be in good physical condition, have good eyesight with or without glasses, and not be colorblind.
Must be able to stand, stoop, bend, kneel, climb, work in tiring or uncomfortable positions, and regularly carry, lift, and handle parts weighing up to 50 pounds; occasionally lift items weighing 80 pounds.
Must participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the hiring process.

Nice To Haves

An eligible, highly qualified individual may be authorized a recruitment or relocation incentive.

Responsibilities

Safely operate the central boiler and chiller plant.
Maintain boiler water, condensate, chilled water, and cooling-tower chemistry through daily testing and adjustment of chemical injection and blowdown rates.
Perform operator-level preventive and corrective maintenance on chillers, boilers, pumps, steam traps, and other plant equipment.
Test, inspect, adjust, and repair boiler controls, safety devices, instrumentation, and flowmeters.
Inspect repairs and adjustments performed by contractors.
Use hand and specialty tools to test and maintain plant systems.
Read charts, gauges, and meters to determine steam production, fuel consumption, water use, and other operating conditions.
Adjust controls and valves as needed to maintain proper fuel changeover with minimal steam-pressure drop.
Operate air-conditioning chillers and related equipment.
Continuously monitor meters, charts, gauges, water levels, and temperatures to verify proper system operation.
Operate, maintain, and keep the plant and related equipment clean.
Complete maintenance repairs, preventive maintenance, inspections, station-level projects, and development and project management of contracted construction projects.
Maintain hourly operational and maintenance logs and record sheets, as applicable to related experience.