Utility Systems Operator

Summary

Incumbent in this position is under the direct supervision of the Supervisory Utility System Operator, part of Maintenance & Operations (M&O) – Facilities Management Service located in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) – Northern Arizona VA Health Care System (NAVAHCS) in Prescott, AZ. The primary purpose of this position is the operation of the boilers, chillers, and primary response for emergency repairs throughout the facility for all maintenance items 24/7.

Applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. A specific length of training and experience is not required; however, evidence of training or experience of sufficient scope and quality must be provided. Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Federal Wage System Qualification Standards, with the prescribed screen‑out element (question 1 of the online questionnaire) determining eligibility for further rating.

Preferred Experience:

Commercial healthcare (or commercial/industrial) experience. Residential and handyman experience will not be considered.

Volunteer work (e.g., Peace Corps, Ameri Corps) is considered creditable. A full year of work is considered 35–40 hours per week. Part‑time experience will be credited on the basis of actual time spent.

• Alters, remodels, relocates, operates, troubleshoots, maintains, adjusts, repairs, constructs and provides design review for a modern central power plant on rotating shifts
• Works 7 days a week, 24 hours a day
• Performs all work at a full range of varied and complex engineering tasks requiring expertise of at least four craftsman‑level professionals and thorough knowledge of the remainder of the trades
• Ensures continuous operation of utilities to the medical center – including energy monitoring, control, and conservation
• Checks temperature sensing points in various building areas and adjusts controls to meet local requirements and preferences
• Starts, regulates, and stops air‑handling equipment from the central computer or local switches in fan or equipment rooms
• Starts, stops, and regulates air‑conditioning chillers, cooling‑tower fans, and other related support equipment in accordance with procedures and load conditions
• Logs results of water condition tests – dry and wet bulb temperatures, chiller oil level and pressure, water temperature entering and leaving condensers, voltage and ampere readings, vacuum pressure, refrigerant temperature and level, high and low pressure readings, humidity, and other readings
• Monitors combustion levels to ensure compliance with air pollution laws or regulations
• Operates, adjusts, and maintains auxiliary and pollution‑control equipment – electrical or steam‑driven pumps, forced and induced draft fans, air compressors, feed‑water heaters, economizers, fuel heaters and delivery equipment, and demineralizing systems
• Checks operation of safety equipment such as flame controls, low‑water cut‑outs, high‑pressure cut‑outs and purge‑type combustion safeties
• Work schedule:
  
  Monday through Friday, 6:00 PM – 6:00 AM (tours may vary depending on the needs of the service to include rotating days, nights, weekends, and holidays)
• Position Description Title/PD#:
  Utility Systems Operator/PD13772A

• Stand, bend, stoop, kneel, climb, crawl, and work in awkward positions for prolonged periods
• Handle and carry equipment, materials, and tools weighing up to forty (40) pounds
• Occasionally lift and carry objects over ninety (90) pounds with assistance or lifting devices
• Work can sometimes require strenuous physical exertion
• Operators must be able to work all shifts 24/7/365, including evenings, nights, and weekends