Utility Systems Operator

Veterans Health Administration•Lexington, KY

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Utility Systems Operator provides 24/7 coverage for Engineering and the Medical Center on 12-hour rotating shifts. The primary duty station is Graphic Control, located in the Boiler Plant at Copper Drive Division (CDD). The operator runs, maintains, and repairs the facility’s boiler, chiller, HVAC, and auxiliary systems, using a Johnson Controls Metasys Facility Management Computer System (FMS) to monitor and control CDD heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and environmental systems. The role also involves monitoring system conditions and alarms, maintaining water treatment, and responding to operational needs across critical medical and utility systems. The position is full-time with a compressed rotating schedule of 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.–8:00 a.m. Applicants must provide resume evidence of training or experience sufficient in scope and quality to demonstrate their ability to perform the work; no specific length of training or experience is required. There is no educational substitution for this position.

Requirements

Must be a U.S. citizen.
Must meet the experience requirement by the announcement closing date: no specific length of training or experience is required, but applicants must demonstrate sufficient training or experience to perform the work, supported by detailed resume descriptions.
Must meet the position’s screen-out element and be rated against job elements including mechanics, use of prints and drawings, operation of equipment/machinery, communications, troubleshooting, and working without more than normal supervision.
Must sometimes lift more than 50 pounds.
Must work in awkward or cramped positions at times.
Must work from ladders while using hand tools or holding a heavy object overhead.
Frequent standing, walking, and climbing are required.
Must monitor and operate the FMS and ambient conditions and make independent decisions about starting and stopping equipment.
Must complete a pre-employment physical and background/security investigation.
Applicants tentatively selected for a testing-designated position must undergo urinalysis for illegal drug use before appointment; refusal results in denial of employment.
Selective Service registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program as a condition of employment for VA Health Care Personnel.
Must complete a one-year probationary period or two-year trial period, as applicable.
Must complete the online onboarding process and provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements.

Nice To Haves

Experience with building management systems and chilled water systems is preferred.

Responsibilities

Operate, maintain, and repair three 500 HP Cleaver-Brooks low-pressure gas- and oil-fired tube boilers rated at 12 PSI, with a combined capacity of 52,500 pounds of steam per hour.
Operate, maintain, and repair two 950-ton Carrier centrifugal chillers, one McQuay 1,500-ton centrifugal chiller, and their auxiliary components.
Use the Johnson Controls Metasys Facility Management Computer System to monitor and control CDD HVAC and environmental systems.
Make independent decisions about adjusting, starting, or stopping equipment to maintain energy efficiency.
Operate, maintain, and repair high- and low-pressure steam boilers and condensing boilers.
Recommend changes to schedules, priorities, and work sequences; make minor procedural deviations or redirect controlled resources to resolve problems.
Follow departmental policies and procedures.
Review electronic technical manuals and drawings; interpret blueprints, diagrams, instructions, and specifications.
Monitor gauges, thermometers, graphs, indicators, and other technical measuring devices.
Recognize and respond to critical alarms related to HVAC units, medical vacuum, medical air, oxygen, fire, fire dampers, and life-support equipment in areas including surgery, recovery, and coronary care.
Conduct inspections and adjustments in accordance with operational guidelines.
Use hand and power tools, calibration equipment, and chemical titration equipment.
Maintain water treatment in cooling towers, distribution systems, and boilers according to instructions and chemical vendors’ recommendations.
Apply working knowledge of boilers, air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment, controls, and auxiliary machinery and equipment.
Monitor and assist with shutting down and resetting elevator operations and the sewage lift station.
Perform other duties as assigned.