Utility Systems Operator

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Prescott (AZ); On-site; USD 85,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Northern Arizona VA Health Care System (NAVAHCS) in Prescott, AZ, seeks a skilled Utility Systems Operator. The incumbent operates the boilers, chillers, and related systems and serves as the primary response for emergency repairs across facility maintenance on a 24/7 basis.

The role requires supervising and coordinating withMaintenance & Operations, ensuring continuous utility operations and energy management for the Medical Center.

Qualifications

• Applicants must demonstrate training or experience showing ability to perform the work.
• Credit for volunteer work; qualifications evaluated per federal standards.
• Note: A full year equates to 35–40 hours per week; part-time is credited accordingly.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain a modern central power plant on rotating shifts.
• Provide 24/7 operations coverage, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Monitor energy use, temperature controls, and water conditions.
• Start, regulate, and stop air handling equipment and chillers.
• Record and log temperatures, pressures, voltages, and other readings.

Job description

Summary

This incumbent in this position is under the direct supervision of the Supervisory Utility System Operator - part of Maintenance & Operations (M&O) - Facilities Management Service located in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) - Northern Arizona VA Health Care System (NAVAHCS) located in Prescott - AZ. This position's primary purpose of the operation of the boilers - chillers and primary response for emergency repairs throughout the facility for all facility maintenance items 24/7.

Summary

This incumbent in this position is under the direct supervision of the Supervisory Utility System Operator - part of Maintenance & Operations (M&O) - Facilities Management Service located in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) - Northern Arizona VA Health Care System (NAVAHCS) located in Prescott - AZ. This position's primary purpose of the operation of the boilers - chillers and primary response for emergency repairs throughout the facility for all facility maintenance items 24/7.

Qualifications

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 Measuring Instruments Operation of Equipment/Machinery Technical Practices Without more than normal supervision Special Placement Factor: Universal EPA Certification & Drivers License 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.

Duties

• The major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to: Alters - remodels - relocates - operates - troubleshoots - maintains - adjusts - repairs - constructs and provides design review for a modern central power plant on rotating shifts
• 7 days a week - 24 hours a day
• Performs all work at a full range of varied and complex Engineering tasks requiring the expertise of 4 or more at the Craftsmen level and thorough knowledge of the remainder of the trades
• Ensures continuous operations of Utilities to the Medical Center - Energy monitoring - control and conservation
• Checks temperature sensing points in various building areas and adjust controls to meet local requirements and desires
• Starts - regulates - and stops the various items of air handling equipment from the central computer or local switches in fan or equipment rooms
• Starts - stops and regulates the air conditioning chillers the cooling tower fans - and other related support equipment in accordance with procedures and load conditions
• Logs results of water condition test - dry and wet bulb temperatures - chiller oil level and oil pressure - water temperature entering and leaving condensers - volt and ampere readings - vacuum pressure - refrigerant temperature and level - high and low pressure readings - humidity - and other readings
• Monitors combustion levels to ensure compliance with air pollution laws or regulations
• Operates - adjusts - and maintains auxiliary and pollution control equipment - electrical or steam driven pumps - forced and induced drafts fans - air compressors - feed water heaters - economizers - fuel heaters and delivery equipment - and demineralizing systems
• Checks the operation of safety equipment such as flame controls - low water cut-outs - high pressure cut-outs and purge type combustion safeties
• Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday - 6:00PM - 6:00AM - but tours may vary depending on the needs of the Service to include rotating days - nights - weekends and holidays
• Position Description Title/PD#: Utility Systems Operator/PD13772A Physical Requirements: Incumbent is required to stand - bend - stoop - kneel - climb - crawl - and work in awkward positions for prolonged periods
• The incumbent handles and carries equipment - materials and tools weighing up to forty (40) pounds
• Occasionally lifts and carries objects over ninety (90) pounds - with the assistance of others or lifting devices
• The work can sometimes require strenuous physical exertion
• All work is on a rotating shift basis - operators must be able to work all shifts 24/7/365 - including evenings - nights and weekends.