USA Staffing

Position Title: Utility Systems Operator
Agency: Veterans Health Administration
Announcement Number: CBTA-12716150-25-MM Opens in new window
Open Period: Monday, March 24, 2025 to Thursday, April 3, 2025

For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.

1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference?

A. No, I do not claim Veterans' Preference

B. 0-point Sole Survivorship Preference (SSP)

C. 5-point preference based on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces (TP)

D. 10-point preference for non-compensable disability or Purple Heart (XP)

E. 10-point preference based on a compensable service connected disability of at least 10% but less than 30% (CP)

F. 10 point preference based on widow/widower or parent of a deceased veteran, or spouse or parent of a disabled veteran (XP)

G. 10-point preference based on a compensable service connected disability of 30% or more (CPS)

1. Which of the following items describes your current or recent (within the last five years) political appointee service?

If you responded yes to any of the items below, you will need to include a SF-50 specifying your prior service.

A. Yes, I am considered a political appointee as described under 5 U.S.C. sections 5312 through 5316.

B. Yes, I am considered a Non-career Senior Executive Service (SES), Limited Term SES, Limited Emergency SES Executive Branch employee.

C. Yes, I am considered a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or appointee who served in a political capacity under agency-specific authority in the Executive Branch.

D. Yes, I am considered a political appointee in the Executive Branch (as described in a., b. or c above) in a covered position in an agency having an interchange agreement with OPM, which allows movement from the agency's system to the competitive civil service.

E. None of the above. I am not considered a current or recent (last 5 years) political appointee as described above in items a, b, c, or d.

Your resume must be submitted in English and include the following information for each job listed:

Job title Duties (be as detailed as possible)
Month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008)
Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)
Series and Grade, if applicable, for all Federal positions you have held
Please be aware that your answers will be verified against information provided on your resume. Be sure that your resume clearly supports your responses to all of the questions by addressing your work experience in detail.

Recommended: Even though we do not require a specific resume format, your resume must be clear so that we are able to fully evaluate your qualifications. To ensure you receive appropriate consideration, please list the duties you performed under each individual job title. If we are unable to match your experiences with the positions held, you may lose consideration for this vacancy. We cannot make assumptions regarding your qualifications. Do not include a photograph or video of yourself, or any sensitive information (age, date of birth, marital status, protected health information, religious affiliation, social security number, etc.) on your resume or cover letter. We will not access web pages or encrypted, and digitally signed documents linked on your resume or cover letter to determine your qualifications.

By submitting your application, you are certifying, to the best of your knowledge and belief, all the information submitted by you with your application for employment is true, complete, and made in good faith, and that you have truthfully and accurately represented your work experience, knowledge, skills, abilities and education (degrees, accomplishments, etc.). The information you provide as part of your application may be investigated. You are also certifying, and acknowledging, that misrepresenting your experience or education, or providing false or fraudulent information in, or with your application, may affect your eligibility for appointment and/or continued employment. False or fraudulent statements may be punishable by fine or imprisonment (18 U.S.C. 1001).

Assessment 1

Thank you for your interest in the Utility Systems Operator position at the Durham VA Medical Center.

Please answer the following questions by selecting the best answer that describes your qualifications. The selected skill level must be reflected in your resume.

The following questions are related to Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair.

Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.

1. Operates, installs, maintains, and repairs all types of mechanical equipment and complete operational systems.

A. I know little or nothing about this.

B. I have had study or training in this.

C. I have used my knowledge or ability, but I have been closely supervised.

D. I have used my knowledge or ability on my own, under normal supervision.

E. I am consulted by other journeypersons in difficult situations, or I am called on to do unusually difficult jobs.

2. Provides repairs and calibrations for equipment such as chillers, boilers, domestic water pumps, air compressors and water softeners.

A. I know little or nothing about this.

B. I have had study or training in this.

C. I have used my knowledge or ability, but I have been closely supervised.

D. I have used my knowledge or ability on my own, under normal supervision.

E. I am consulted by other journeypersons in difficult situations, or I am called on to do unusually difficult jobs.

The following questions are related to Operation of Equipment/Machinery.

Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.

3. Checks equipment throughout the boiler plant for any mechanical failures and diagnoses equipment issues with test equipment to include chillers, boilers, pumps, air compressors and water softeners.

A. I know little or nothing about this.

B. I have had study or training in this.

C. I have used my knowledge or ability, but I have been closely supervised.

D. I have used my knowledge or ability on my own, under normal supervision.

E. I am consulted by other journeypersons in difficult situations, or I am called on to do unusually difficult jobs.

4. Starts, operates, adjusts, and stops utility plant equipment to meet the utility demands of the medical center.

A. I know little or nothing about this.

B. I have had study or training in this.

C. I have used my knowledge or ability, but I have been closely supervised.

D. I have used my knowledge or ability on my own, under normal supervision.

E. I am consulted by other journeypersons in difficult situations, or I am called on to do unusually difficult jobs.

5. Responds to emergency calls from the medical center and triages facilities and medical equipment issues while communication with supervisor or appropriate authority to ensure appropriate response.

A. I know little or nothing about this.

B. I have had study or training in this.

C. I have used my knowledge or ability, but I have been closely supervised.

D. I have used my knowledge or ability on my own, under normal supervision.

E. I am consulted by other journeypersons in difficult situations, or I am called on to do unusually difficult jobs.

The following questions are related to Technical Practices.

Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.

6. Performs necessary corrective and preventive maintenance and ensures appropriate documentation of all medical, lab, and facilities equipment that is under the purview of the facility's utility management plan.

A. I know little or nothing about this.

B. I have had study or training in this.

C. I have used my knowledge or ability, but I have been closely supervised.

D. I have used my knowledge or ability on my own, under normal supervision.

E. I am consulted by other journeypersons in difficult situations, or I am called on to do unusually difficult jobs.

7. Uses technical judgement to prioritize the criticality of repairs needed based upon impacts to medical center operations.

A. I know little or nothing about this.

B. I have had study or training in this.

C. I have used my knowledge or ability, but I have been closely supervised.

D. I have used my knowledge or ability on my own, under normal supervision.

E. I am consulted by other journeypersons in difficult situations, or I am called on to do unusually difficult jobs.

8. Advises and assists other maintenance personnel in troubleshooting and repairing systems/components with the plant to include: boilers, steam headers, valves, OA tanks, condensate and fuel oil pumps, chilled water units, cooling towers, air handlers, control air pumps, circulating air pumps, medical air compressors, air dryers, receivers, regulators, filters, vacuum pumps, alarms, emergency diesel generators and auxiliary equipment, automatic transfer switches, power distribution controls, etc.

A. I know little or nothing about this.

B. I have had study or training in this.

C. I have used my knowledge or ability, but I have been closely supervised.

D. I have used my knowledge or ability on my own, under normal supervision.

E. I am consulted by other journeypersons in difficult situations, or I am called on to do unusually difficult jobs.

The following questions are related to Measuring Instruments.

Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.

9. Monitors alarms using computer-based alarm systems to include temperature monitoring system (TempTrak) that monitors temperature and humidity, supply of medical gases and supply of steam.

A. I know little or nothing about this.

B. I have had study or training in this.

C. I have used my knowledge or ability, but I have been closely supervised.

D. I have used my knowledge or ability on my own, under normal supervision.

E. I am consulted by other journeypersons in difficult situations, or I am called on to do unusually difficult jobs.

The following questions are related to Interpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading).

Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.

10. Maintains logs, records, and other plant data such as steam production and distribution systems, emergency electrical power systems, Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems, medical gas and vacuum systems, service/control air systems, energy management systems and domestic water systems.

A. I know little or nothing about this.

B. I have had study or training in this.

C. I have used my knowledge or ability, but I have been closely supervised.

D. I have used my knowledge or ability on my own, under normal supervision.

E. I am consulted by other journeypersons in difficult situations, or I am called on to do unusually difficult jobs.

The following questions are related to Dexterity and Safety.

Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.

11. Coordinates the safe and efficient operation, routine preventive maintenance, and repair of utility systems and their components.

A. I know little or nothing about this.

B. I have had study or training in this.

C. I have used my knowledge or ability, but I have been closely supervised.

D. I have used my knowledge or ability on my own, under normal supervision.

E. I am consulted by other journeypersons in difficult situations, or I am called on to do unusually difficult jobs.

12. Observes, adjusts and maintains utility plant equipment while adhering to all applicable safety guideline and standards.

A. I know little or nothing about this.

B. I have had study or training in this.

C. I have used my knowledge or ability, but I have been closely supervised.

D. I have used my knowledge or ability on my own, under normal supervision.

E. I am consulted by other journeypersons in difficult situations, or I am called on to do unusually difficult jobs.

Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).

13. Do you have the ability to do the work of the Utility Systems Operator WG-5406-9 without more than normal supervision?

A. Yes

B. No

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