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Summary The Utility Systems Repairer-Operator, WG-4742-10, at the Johnathan M Wainwright VA Medical Center in Walla Walla, WA will fill in on various shifts and perform duties within the Boiler Plant Section, Facilities Management Service. The closing date for this announcement was extended until 7/24/2025. If you previously applied, you do not need to reapply. However, you may update your application packet during this time. Responsibilities Duties include, but not limited to: Makes periodic visual checks of equipment to ensure proper operation. Checks steam, airflow, gas, and/or oil meters and fuel gas-temperature records. Collects/draws boiler, condensate, feed, and soft water samples and conducts water tests. Analyzes results determining acidity, causticity, and alkalinity by using prescribed reagents, color slides, or other standards. Accomplishes system/equipment repairs or adjustments noting technical difficulties in system/equipment operations (e.g., rerolls tubes; repairs refractories and pumps; replaces fan motors. Uses varied hand and power tools in maintaining systems/equipment and making minor repairs or adjustments. Operates and tests fire/disaster alarm equipment and emergency communications. Work involves installing, recognizing the problem or cause of faulty equipment, and making repairs on a variety of electric and gas hot water boilers and their compressors, condensers, coils, fans, electrical/air operated control systems. Install, modify, and repair by setting up piping routes and equipment locations, placing and cutting openings in floors, walls, and ceilings that may be constructed of concrete, wood, plaster, metal, etc. Assesses and inspects, several times per day, low pressure hot water boilers located in multiple buildings across the Walla Walla VA campus. Uses proper materials and to have the knowledge of various codes or procedures to complete the jobs in order to layout a job. Skill to read and interpret results of devices such as gauges and meters. Working knowledge of how various high temperature/pressure piping systems and equipment are installed and operate. Plans and lays out the installation, modification, or repair to systems or equipment according to acceptable trade practices and codes. Work Schedule: Sunday- Saturday 8:00am-4:00pm or 4:00pm-12:00am; or 12:00pm-8:00pm. Position Description Title/PD#: Utility Systems Repairer-Operator/PD80444A Physical Requirements: Work requires moderate to heavy physical exertion (40 pounds) while lifting, transporting, carrying, pulling, moving, handling, or setting up Ladders, scaffolds, materials, tools, equipment, etc. Repairs, maintenance, and/or observation work requires kneeling, stretching, pushing, pulling, crouching, stooping, bending, climbing, and walking/standing for long periods of time and negotiating confined spaces. Works from ladder, scaffold, platform, ground level, or hard to reach places requiring climbing ladders, reaching over and under while in cramped, awkward, tiring, and/or uncomfortable positions. Uses hand, eye, leg, and body coordination while performing assigned work. Requirements Conditions of Employment 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. The screen-out element is ability to do the work of the position without more than normal supervision. Examples include: Knowledge of automatic/manual gas/oil fired fire tube high pressure boilers and auxiliary equipment sufficient to operate, maintain, test, and repair a complete boiler plant steam generating system. Experience with water softening systems sufficient to operate and maintain system including conduct of periodic water testing, regeneration, and backwashing. Basic operations of station fire alarm control panel equipment and related emergency procedures. Boiler water treatment and water sample collecting techniques sufficient to perform chemical tests to determine alkalinity, acidity, or causticity. Functions, operations, and maintenance requirements of a wide variety of flow meters, recorders, charts, meters, gauges, alarms, and signals reflecting steam production, demand, and pressure; fuel use; fuel/air ratio; excess air boiler steam, and water temperatures; boiler water level; make-up demand; and stack gas composition. Steam generation systems, plant layout, auxiliary equipment, and control systems sufficient to quickly locate problems or trouble and determine appropriate action necessary to maintain safe and adequate steam production. Skill and ability to accomplish system/equipment repairs and/or adjustments; operates, maintains, repairs, and adjusts coordinated operation and maintenance requirements of a complex steam generation system. 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 (includes blueprint reading) Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment 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. Working Conditions: Rotates shifts on a recurring basis providing 24 hour-per- day coverage seven days a week. Works without oversight during evening, night, weekend, and holiday tours of duty and is completely in charge of boiler plant operations during these hours and is responsible for ensuring safe and efficient plant operations adequate to meet station needs. Responsible for conducting tests of boiler safety devices (e.g., flame detection scanner, low water cutoffs, high pressure steam alarm, etc.); compiling daily and monthly efficiency reports; and performing all preventive maintenance on boilers and equipment. Responsible for prioritizing assignments to accomplish work efficiently and effectively. Responsible for independent accomplishment of work assignments by interpreting/reading results and determining nature/extent of maintenance or repair required. Responsible for planning and proper layout of work; planning work sequences, selecting tools/materials or equipment, determining work methods/techniques, and accomplishing in accordance with trade practices. Responsible for use/safekeeping of tools, materials, and equipment. Responsible for exercising sound judgment and initiative in coping with unusual, extraordinary work circumstances/situations. The incumbent works indoors in adequately lighted and ventilated conditions. The BPO is exposed to high ambient temperatures from boilers and equipment noise. Danger of boiler bursts; gas line ruptures; carbon monoxide poisoning; scalds/burns; gas, oil, or sulfur fumes; water treatment/test chemicals; and/or hazards of working with large scale combustion processes, steam under high pressure vessels, or moving machinery. Works recurring rotational shift assignments including nights, weekends, and holidays proving continuous 7 day 24-hours coverage. Education This job does not have an education qualification requirement. Additional Information Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer (TJO). Please visit the Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP), va.gov/EMPLOYEE/docs/The-Fair-Chance-to-Compete-Act.pdf for more information. The following will be communicated to applicants for VA employment in a testing designated position and will also be included in all VA vacancy announcements for such positions: All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drugs use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website which can be found at https://www.opm.gov/. Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.