Utility Systems Operator

Veterans Health Administration • Prescott, AZ

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Utility Systems Operator works under the direct supervision of the Supervisory Utility System Operator in Maintenance & Operations, Facilities Management Service, at the Northern Arizona VA Health Care System in Prescott, Arizona. The position operates boilers, chillers, and other utility systems and provides primary response for emergency repairs throughout the facility. The work supports continuous utility service to the Medical Center, including energy monitoring, control, and conservation.

The operator performs complex engineering and maintenance work in a modern central power plant, including operating, troubleshooting, maintaining, adjusting, repairing, constructing, and reviewing designs for utility systems. Duties include monitoring and controlling air-handling and cooling equipment, recording system and water-condition readings, ensuring combustion complies with air-pollution regulations, maintaining auxiliary and pollution-control equipment, and checking the operation of safety equipment.

The work is performed on rotating shifts, including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays. The stated schedule is 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM, though tours may vary based on service needs. Physical work can be strenuous and involves prolonged standing and working in awkward positions, as well as handling tools and equipment.

Requirements

• Evidence of training or experience of sufficient scope and quality to demonstrate the ability to perform the work; no specific length of training or experience is required.
• A current, valid state-issued driver's license.
• Ability to work all shifts on a rotating basis, including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.
• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by a background investigation.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Ability to complete required onboarding and provide acceptable identification.
• Ability to meet the physical demands of the work, including standing, bending, stooping, kneeling, climbing, crawling, working in awkward positions, and handling and carrying equipment, materials, and tools weighing up to 40 pounds; occasionally lifting and carrying objects over 90 pounds with assistance or lifting devices.
• Successful completion of a one-year probationary period, subject to written certification for continued employment.

Responsibilities

• Operate, troubleshoot, maintain, adjust, repair, construct, and provide design review for a modern central power plant.
• Respond to emergency repairs throughout the facility for maintenance items.
• Ensure continuous utility operations for the Medical Center, including energy monitoring, control, and conservation.
• Check temperature-sensing points in building areas and adjust controls to meet local requirements.
• Start, regulate, and stop air-handling equipment using central computer controls or local switches.
• Operate air-conditioning chillers, cooling-tower fans, and related support equipment according to procedures and load conditions.
• Log water-condition test results and equipment readings, including temperatures, pressure, voltage, amperage, humidity, refrigerant levels, and other measurements.
• Monitor combustion levels for compliance with air-pollution laws and regulations.
• Operate, adjust, and maintain auxiliary and pollution-control equipment, pumps, fans, compressors, heaters, fuel-delivery equipment, and demineralizing systems.
• Check safety equipment, including flame controls, low-water cut-outs, high-pressure cut-outs, and purge-type combustion safeties.

Benefits

• Comprehensive federal employee benefits package for employees and their families.
• VA may offer credit for job-related non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service when determining annual leave accrual, subject to approval.

What This Job Offers

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