Merakey Jobs

Summary The employee works within the Maintenance Division of the Facilities Management service line at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System. The work of a Utility Systems Operator involves the efficient operation and timely completion of maintenance repairs, preventive maintenance, inspections, station level projects and development and project management of contracted construction projects. Responsibilities Major duties include: Inspect, adjust, and repair all boiler controls safety devices, instrumentation, flow meters, etc. Inspect repairs and adjustments made by contractors Use tools such as manometers, multi-meters, combustion analyzers, test gauges, infrared thermometers and dead-weight testers Perform repairs to equipment and operates in accordance with VA regulations and directives, ASME boiler and pressure vessel codes, facility policies, and best engineering practices Keep equipment clean and lubricated in accordance with preventive maintenance schedules Perform required inspections and tests Maintain hourly operational and maintenance logs and record sheets Conduct water analysis to determine proper chemical concentrations and feed chemicals into equipment as necessary Maintain the Energy Center in a clean, neat and orderly manner Work Schedule: Sunday - Saturday, generally 6:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. - 6:00 a.m. (24/7 coverage; tours are rotated for a 12-hour shift) (work hours may be further discussed during interview). Virtual: This is not a virtual position Position Description Title/PD#: Utility Systems Operator/PD60187A Relocation/Recruitment Incentive: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. EPA CERTIFICATION: This position requires the employee to possess the Universal EPA Section 608 Certification. If certification is not currently possessed, the employee will be required to pass the required exam and be certified no later than 90 days from date of hire. EXPERIENCE: 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. For this position, you must have the ability to do the work of a Utility Systems Operator without more than normal supervision in performing the full range of duties. Related experience includes: operate, inspect and troubleshoot boilers and chillers; keep equipment clean and lubricated; maintain hourly operational and maintenance logs and record sheets; and perform preventive and corrective maintenance on chillers, cooling towers, boilers, pumps, stem traps and associated piping and equipment. The potential eligibles are then rated against the remainder of the Job Elements: Dexterity and Safety Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair Interpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading) Measuring Instruments Operation of Equipment/Machinery Technical Practices 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. Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. The Operator will be assigned on a rotating shift basis to operate the boiler plant and/or the chiller equipment, all of which must be operated on a continuous 24-hour day, 7-day work basis. The Operator must observe safety regulations and use safe work methods in performing the job as he/she is unaccompanied for portions of the shift. The operator must be capable of occasionally lifting objects weighing over so pounds, lifting heavy tools and equipment such as motors, piping and valves. He/she must be capable of climbing over and under the equipment to reach obscure portions of the equipment. He/she must be capable of climbing onto catwalks, roof areas and other isolated areas. Working Conditions: Most of the time work is performed indoors. Occasionally works in areas of temperature extremes, i.e., 100 degrees Fahrenheit and above in the plant or is exposed to changes in temperature while working on outside cooling towers, roof exhausts and ventilating fans. Noise level is often high, sometimes requiring ear protection to prevent permanent damage to hearing. Other protective devices such as goggles, masks and gloves may be needed periodically. The incumbent is exposed to the possibility of burns when working on steam and hot water lines. Occasionally work is required in contaminated areas and is exposed to communicable diseases when changing filters, etc. Operators are also subject to noxious gases, cuts, bruises and broken bones while working around machinery and equipment. Education There is no educational substitution. Additional Information Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer (TJO). Please visit the Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP), va.gov/EMPLOYEE/docs/The-Fair-Chance-to-Compete-Act.pdf for more information. The following will be communicated to applicants for VA employment in a testing designated position and will also be included in all VA vacancy announcements for such positions: All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drugs use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website which can be found at https://www.opm.gov/. Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) as indicated in VHA Directive 1193.01.Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.