Utility Systems Operator

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Erie (Erie County); On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

US Department of Veterans Affairs at the Erie VA Medical Center seeks a Utility System Operator to maintain and operate steam boilers and large chillers, ensuring safe, reliable utility service. The role requires readiness to monitor alarms across medical gas, generators, and engineering systems, and to perform maintenance as needed.

The operator will be responsible for ensuring safe operation, coordinating with facilities management, and adhering to safety protocols and standards.

Qualifications

• Experience demonstrating training or work that shows ability to perform the duties of the position; may include paid or unpaid work.

Responsibilities

• Maintain, repair, and operate 3 Williams & Davis gas/oil combination boilers to produce steam and 600-ton centrifugal chillers.
• Monitor alarms for medical gas, generators, refrigerators/freezers, and engineering control systems.
• Ensure safe operation of utility systems and adhere to applicable safety standards.

Job description

The Utility System Operator (USO) is assigned to the Utility Plant, in Facilities Management Service, at the Erie VA Medical Center.
The USO is responsible for the maintenance, repair, and safe operation of 3 Williams & Davis gas/oil combination boilers, producing steam
capacity of 6,900 LBS/HR (1) and 13,800 (2) each; and (2) each 600-ton centrifugal chillers The USO monitors alarms for various systems including medical gas, generators, refrigerator/freezers, and engineering control systems.

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

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:

• Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair
• Interpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading)
• 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.