Utility Systems Operator

Veterans Health Administration; Loma Linda (CA); On-site; USD 44,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

The Veterans Health Administration at the Loma Linda VA Medical Center seeks a Utility Systems Operator to ensure the safe operation of the facility's boiler and central plant. You will monitor the chiller plant, AHUs, and SCADA systems to maintain reliable hospital operations.

You will inspect boiler settings, perform maintenance, balance generator loads, and respond to operational anomalies. The role requires meticulous logging and coordination with HVAC technicians.

Qualifications

• Operates and maintains boiler and chiller plants.
• Monitors HVAC equipment and adjusts AHU performance.
• Manages emergency power generation and switchgear operations.
• Performs maintenance using blueprints and instructions.
• Monitors and documents plant conditions and logs activities.

Responsibilities

• Controls and operates electrical emergency power generation.
• Inspects boiler settings and refractory linings for deterioration.
• Responds to HVAC performance issues to keep systems within parameters.
• Maintains two domestic hot water heaters and monitors water quality.
• Balances electrical load between generators and maintains stability.
• Tests and maintains boiler safety devices and sensors.

Skills

Emergency power generation

Boiler operation

HVAC systems

SCADA monitoring

Maintenance

Tools

SCADA system

Job description

• Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

The position is at the full performance level located in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), at the Loma Linda, CA VA Medical Center (VAMC) in the Facility Management Service (FMS). The primary purpose of the Utility Systems Operator (USO) is to ensure the safe operation of the facility's centrally located boiler and chiller plant.

Key Responsibilities

Major duties include, but are not limited to the following: Controls, operates and maintains efficient and reliable operation of the electrical emergency power generation. Manually runs emergency generator and perform manual operation of switchgears when necessary to maintain power supply to the hospital.

Visually inspects boiler settings and refractory linings for signs of deterioration and failure due to heat stress resulting in flue gases escaping into the plant and endangering on-duty personnel. Controls, operates and maintains HVAC equipment inside the chiller plant and cooling tower yard. Responds to hot and cold calls by analyzing the chiller plant and air handling units' (AHU) performance and make necessary adjustments to bring the HVAC system within parameters.

Analysis includes AHU set points, air filter condition, outside air supply temperature and humidity, damper/economizer positions, chilled water valve opening, humidifier percent opening, fan speed and its relationship to the static pressure. Perform necessary temporary adjustments to keep hospital or space at an acceptable HVAC condition. Write notes in the log book of all work performed and adjustments made to be reported to USO Supervisor and briefing HVAC technicians.

Controls and operates two-domestic hot water heaters. Observes and documents information such as pressures, temperatures, water levels, and detectors to identify signs of trouble. Monitors and performs Plant's chemical water treatment including testing of water hardness coming from the tap and water softener. Monitors plant status with Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) computer system.

Performs thorough housekeeping of boiler, electrical, chiller plants and cooling tower yard. Keeps the Plant in an orderly manner, painting, sweeping and mopping and dusting off Plant equipment. Operator makes independent decisions and judgments regarding troubleshooting techniques, and modification and repair procedures. Controls or operates a Supervisory Control Data Acquisition (SCADA) computer to control and operate life support equipment.

Performs maintenance on plant equipment using blueprints, specifications, sketches, and from oral or written instructions. Balances electrical load between generators. Maintains circuit voltage and frequency constant when generators are added to or removed from the system. Responsible for monitoring the fire alarm system, medical gas alarm panel and elevator emergency call system for the entire facility.

Adjusts equipment as necessary for efficient operation, including such equipment as alarm devices, proper size burner tips, automatic combustion controls, feed water deaerator, and heaters, chillers, internal chemical injection equipment, automatic stop valves, forced and induced draft fans, fuel and steam pressure control and relief valves, feedwater regulators and pumps. Perform operational testing of equipment and systems to determine their efficiencies.

Works with engineering to determine performance parameters for reliable operation. Tests, adjusts, maintains, and repairs boiler safety devices such as flame safeguard systems, pressure switches, pressure differential safety switches, timers, water column safety devices, electric/electronic probes and sensors, steam safety valves, steam pressure reducing valves and automatic and manual fuel valves for preventing major pressure vessel failures and/or furnace explosions.

Work Schedule: Initially M-F 0600-1430 But hours are subject to change depending on need of organization (confirm with supervisor). Position Description Title/PD#: Utility Systems Operator/PD10833A Relocation/Recruitment Incentive: Not Authorized As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.

In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: Performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $31.92 – $37.26/hr.

What security clearance is required?

This position requires a Other security clearance.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-10-23.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Fed Transition' hiring path.