Clarification from the agency

Status Candidates {Current and former competitive service Federal employees, and people eligible under special hiring authorities. This includes all Merit Promotion sources: Status (Transfers, Reinstatements), VEOA, Permanent Canteen (VCS) employees, CTAP, ICTAP, Non-Competitive Eligible and certain Excepted Service Employees (i.e., Interchange Agreements).

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Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Operate, maintain and repair multiple utility systems.
• Address, troubleshot, stabilize and/or resolve emergency situations requiring Facilities Management Involvement.
• Maintain a detailed log/account of all shift activities including an explanation of his/her decision.
• Required to make timely sound judgements to minimize and prevent damage to property and ensure safe conditions for patients and staff.
• Keep all pertinent personnel aware of any emergencies that arise (VA Police, Shop Supervisors, Service Chiefs and Safety).
• Report to the Medical Center as needed during emergency situations.
• Operate, troubleshoot, maintain and repair utility systems including but not limited to: Boiler Plant, Chiller Plant, Pneumatic Tube System, Medical Gas Systems and Steam Distribution Systems.

Work Schedule: Compressed, 12hr shift
Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Authorized
Position Description Title/PD#: Utility Systems Operator/PD11140A
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Pre-employment physical required
• 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.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 04/25/2025.

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. The potential eligibles are then rated against the remainder of the Job Elements:

• Dexterity and Safety
• Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair
• 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: The employee must be in a satisfactory physical and mental condition and fit for duty at all times, excluding body maintenance items. They may frequently work in confined spaces and will be required to stand, stoop, bend, kneel, crawl, walk, jump and climb for moderate time durations. They will have to install and make repairs to equipment from ladders, scaffolding, platforms and hard-to-reach spaces. They must be able to lift equipment, parts, supplies and chemicals weighing up to 5O lbs. They efforts will vary depending on the task to be performed.

Working Conditions: The employee may be subject to very uncomfortable and possibly dangerous working conditions. He/she will be required to work in varying degrees of temperature, constant noise, dirt soot, oil, grease and hot steam piping. Generally employee works indoors, may be required to work outdoors occasionally for short periods of time and will be exposed to weather conditions. They is required to work on ladders, catwalks, mechanical rooms and carry heavy objects up and down stairs. He/she may be exposed to hazards such as electrical shock, cuts, bruises, burns, inhalation of fumes from chemicals and combustible gases. They is required to utilize personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks, ear plugs, safety goggles, hard hats, gloves, and Arc flash gear. They is expected to always keep a safe and clean working environment. They tours of duty are accomplished independently on a rotating shift plan including weekends and holidays.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.