Utility Systems Operator

Veterans Health Administration • Loma Linda, CA

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The position is at the full performance level located in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), at the Loma Linda, CA VA Medical Center (VAMC) in the Facility Management Service (FMS). The primary purpose of the Utility Systems Operator (USO) is to ensure the safe operation of the facility's centrally located boiler and chiller plant.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Services Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• 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.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.
• 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
• Follow Directions
• Operation of Equipment/Machinery
• Troubleshooting Without more than normal supervision
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Responsibilities

• Controls, operates and maintains efficient and reliable operation of the electrical emergency power generation.
• Manually runs emergency generator and perform manual operation of switchgears when necessary to maintain power supply to the hospital.
• Visually inspects boiler settings and refractory linings for signs of deterioration and failure due to heat stress resulting in flue gases escaping into the plant and endangering on-duty personnel.
• Controls, operates and maintains HVAC equipment inside the chiller plant and cooling tower yard.
• Responds to hot and cold calls by analyzing the chiller plant and air handling units' (AHU) performance and make necessary adjustments to bring the HVAC system within parameters. Analysis includes AHU set points, air filter condition, outside air supply temperature and humidity, damper/economizer positions, chilled water valve opening, humidifier percent opening, fan speed and its relationship to the static pressure.
• Perform necessary temporary adjustments to keep hospital or space at an acceptable HVAC condition.
• Write notes in the log book of all work performed and adjustments made to be reported to USO Supervisor and briefing HVAC technicians.
• Controls and operates two-domestic hot water heaters.
• Observes and documents information such as pressures, temperatures, water levels, and detectors to identify signs of trouble.
• Monitors and performs Plant's chemical water treatment including testing of water hardness coming from the tap and water softener.
• Monitors plant status with Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) computer system.
• Performs thorough housekeeping of boiler, electrical, chiller plants and cooling tower yard.
• Keeps the Plant in an orderly manner, painting, sweeping and mopping and dusting off Plant equipment.
• Operator makes independent decisions and judgments regarding troubleshooting techniques, and modification and repair procedures.
• Controls or operates a Supervisory Control Data Acquisition (SCADA) computer to control and operate life support equipment.
• Performs maintenance on plant equipment using blueprints, specifications, sketches, and from oral or written instructions.
• Balances electrical load between generators.
• Maintains circuit voltage and frequency constant when generators are added to or removed from the system.
• Responsible for monitoring the fire alarm system, medical gas alarm panel and elevator emergency call system for the entire facility.
• Adjusts equipment as necessary for efficient operation, including such equipment as alarm devices, proper size burner tips, automatic combustion controls, feed water deaerator, and heaters, chillers, internal chemical injection equipment, automatic stop valves, forced and induced draft fans, fuel and steam pressure control and relief valves, feedwater regulators and pumps.
• Perform operational testing of equipment and systems to determine their efficiencies.
• Works with engineering to determine performance parameters for reliable operation.
• Tests, adjusts, maintains, and repairs boiler safety devices such as flame safeguard systems, pressure switches, pressure differential safety switches, timers, water column safety devices, electric/electronic probes and sensors, steam safety valves, steam pressure reducing valves and automatic and manual fuel valves for preventing major pressure vessel failures and/or furnace explosions.

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.
• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed