Veterans Health Administration Logo
Position Title
Utility Systems Operator
Agency
Veterans Health Administration
Announcement Number
CBSX-12744535-25-TS Opens in new window
Open Period
Tuesday, June 3, 2025 to Friday, June 13, 2025
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference? (limit characters)
Preferences
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.
(limit characters)
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.
(limit characters)
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). (limit characters)
2. I authorize my application information being shared with hiring managers for similar positions. I understand this option may not result in further consideration for additional positions nor will it impact my application for this announcement. (limit characters)
Assessment 1
Thank you for your interest in the Utility Systems Operator WS-5406-09 position with the VA. Please provide an answer to each question. Answering "no" or failing to respond to any of the below questions will result in an ineligible rating. (limit characters)
Select the appropriate answer to the following questions based on your ability to perform the duties of this position. When answering the questionnaire, remember that your answers are subject to verification by investigation. You may be asked to provide specific examples or documentation of your knowledge or skills as proof to support your answers, or you may be required to verify a response by a practical demonstration of your claimed ability to perform a task. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
1. WITHOUT MORE THAN NORMAL SUPERVISION (SCREEN-OUT): Are you able to perform the duties of Utility Systems Operator without more than normal supervision? Experience includes: Pipe Fitting, Medical Air systems; Bulk
Oxygen, Medical Air Compressors, Medical Vacuum, Filters and air dryers. Electrical and Electronic systems and components, High pressure Steam, Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC),Refrigeration, Control Systems; Electrical Generation, control and distribution: 4.6 Megawatt High Voltage Natural Gas Cogeneration Plant which provides 90% of the electrical power to the entire medical center campus; 2.5 Megawatt diesel generators for Emergency Power for the entire Medical Center Campus, Fuel Oil storage, monitoring and distribution; Open and Closed Loop treated water systems, Domestic water Distribution and treatment, Deioniozed and Reverse Osmosis Water generation, storage and distribution; Natural Gas systems, piping, metering and control, Pneumatics, Mechanical Cooling systems, Pumping, Data input, Acquisition and Analysis, Hazard materials exposure control, Central Plant Safety, Ensures continuous operations of Utilities to the Medical Center, Energy monitoring, control and conservation.(*Your experience must be detailed in your resume to receive full credit.)
(limit characters)
2. Adjust and regulate automatic or manually controlled HVAC equipment to ensure maximum operating efficiency of systems
(limit characters)
3. Perform preventive maintenance and operational repairs for HVAC systems
(limit characters)
4. Analyze system efficiencies, diagnose problems, and troubleshoot maintenance requirements for heating and air conditioning systems
(limit characters)
5. Control, monitor, troubleshoot, repair and replace complex Computerized and Programmable Logic Controllers for Industrial Equipment, Metasys, Siemens, Trane Tracer, etc.
(limit characters)
6. Operate plant in a safe efficient manner to abide by all standards set forth by EPA, OSHA, NAFTA
(limit characters)
7. Operate Cogeneration Plant: 4.6 Mega Watt Natural Gas fired generator and a 15000 pound per hour heat recovery boiler, High voltage switchgear and Utility synchronizing switch gear. Respond to Utility and in house power outages.
(limit characters)
8. Operate Emergency Electrical Power Generators, Automatic transfer switches, paralleling and load shed switchgear.
(limit characters)
9. Operate Boiler Plant: Two High Pressure Natural Gas fired 700 horsepower fire tube and one High Pressure 25,000 pound per hour water tube heat recovery boilers and pollution control system.
(limit characters)
10. Operate Chiller Plant: Three 1200 ton centrifugal and one 500 ton absorption chillers and associated cooling towers for space cooling, electronic controls and variable speed drives.
(limit characters)
11. Operate Central Plant Auxiliary Systems: Pumping systems, compressors, Water treatment, water storage and distribution.
(limit characters)
12. Operate Energy Management and Control System (EMCS) computer using specialized software programs for proper operation of HVAC and Boiler systems.
(limit characters)
13. Read gauges and meters, record readings, and make needed adjustments for HVAC systems, etc.
(limit characters)
14. Use voltmeters, ammeters, ohmmeters, continuity testers, feeler gauges, frequency counters, etc to isolate malfunction.
(limit characters)
15. Use pressure and temperature digital and analog gages, transmitters and sensors.
(limit characters)
16. Read, understand, and apply information gathered from multiple sources, including documentation (e.g., manufacturers' manuals or established procedures and instructions), chemical analyses, and maintenance test results.
(limit characters)
17. Document pertinent observations and adjustments for plants using established checklists, forms, worksheets, and log books.
(limit characters)
18. Respond to instructions verbally and in writing from previous shift as well as Central Plant Supervision.
(limit characters)
19. Interpret readings, data loggers, trend analysis and perform actions.
(limit characters)