What are the responsibilities and job description for the Utility Systems Operator-Recruitment/Relocation Incentive Authorized position at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs?
Summary
The Utility System Operator works within Facilities Management service line at the Central Iowa VA Health Care System - located in Des Moines - Iowa. Work performed involves the efficient operation and timely completion of maintenance repairs - preventive maintenance - inspections - station level projects and development and project management of contracted construction projects in a central boiler and chiller plant.
Qualifications
Opening Date: June 18 - 2026 Closing Date: September 18 - 2026 First Cut-Off Date: July 1 - 2026 NOTE: This is an Open Continuous Announcement. Qualified candidates will be referred as vacancies occur. Eligible applications received after July 1 - 2026 - will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled. Final application disposition will be completed at the end of the open period stated in the announcement. In addition - due to the potential of a high volume of applicants - not all applicants may receive consideration. 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. Related experience includes: operate - inspect and troubleshoot boilers and chillers; keep equipment clean and lubricated; maintain hourly operational and maintenance logs and record sheets; and perform preventive and corrective maintenance on chillers - cooling towers - boilers - pumps - stem traps and associated piping and equipment. 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: Dexterity and Safety Equipment Assembly - Installation - Repair Interpret Instructions - Specifications (other than blueprint reading) Measuring Instruments 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. Physical Requirement: The work requires a considerable amount of standing - stooping - bending - kneeling - climbing - and working in tiring and/or uncomfortable positions. Incumbent must be in good physical condition - have good eyesight with or without glasses and cannot be colorblind. The incumbent regularly carries - lifts - and handles parts weighing up to 50 pounds. Occasionally lifts items weighing 80 pounds. You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. Work Environment: Frequently exposed to temperature extremes - drafts - dampness - water and noise for work conditions. The majority of work takes place in an industrial environment the work area may be dirty - wet - dusty - and greasy. Incumbent is subject to cuts - abrasions - burns - broken bones - electrical shock - infections - bites - exposure to inhalation of harmful chemical fumes - irritation of eyes - etc. The incumbent will wear protective clothing as needed.
Duties
The Utility System Operator works within Facilities Management service line at the Central Iowa VA Health Care System - located in Des Moines - Iowa. Work performed involves the efficient operation and timely completion of maintenance repairs - preventive maintenance - inspections - station level projects and development and project management of contracted construction projects in a central boiler and chiller plant.
Qualifications
Opening Date: June 18 - 2026 Closing Date: September 18 - 2026 First Cut-Off Date: July 1 - 2026 NOTE: This is an Open Continuous Announcement. Qualified candidates will be referred as vacancies occur. Eligible applications received after July 1 - 2026 - will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled. Final application disposition will be completed at the end of the open period stated in the announcement. In addition - due to the potential of a high volume of applicants - not all applicants may receive consideration. 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. Related experience includes: operate - inspect and troubleshoot boilers and chillers; keep equipment clean and lubricated; maintain hourly operational and maintenance logs and record sheets; and perform preventive and corrective maintenance on chillers - cooling towers - boilers - pumps - stem traps and associated piping and equipment. 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: Dexterity and Safety Equipment Assembly - Installation - Repair Interpret Instructions - Specifications (other than blueprint reading) Measuring Instruments 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. Physical Requirement: The work requires a considerable amount of standing - stooping - bending - kneeling - climbing - and working in tiring and/or uncomfortable positions. Incumbent must be in good physical condition - have good eyesight with or without glasses and cannot be colorblind. The incumbent regularly carries - lifts - and handles parts weighing up to 50 pounds. Occasionally lifts items weighing 80 pounds. You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. Work Environment: Frequently exposed to temperature extremes - drafts - dampness - water and noise for work conditions. The majority of work takes place in an industrial environment the work area may be dirty - wet - dusty - and greasy. Incumbent is subject to cuts - abrasions - burns - broken bones - electrical shock - infections - bites - exposure to inhalation of harmful chemical fumes - irritation of eyes - etc. The incumbent will wear protective clothing as needed.
Duties
- Major duties include: Responsible for the safe operation of the central boiler and chiller plant
- Maintains proper chemistry control of boiler water - condensate - chilled water - and cooling towers through daily testing and adjustment of chemical injection and blowdown rates
- Perform operator-level preventive and corrective maintenance on chillers - boilers - pumps - steam traps - and other associated equipment within the plant area
- Test - inspect - adjust - and repair all boiler controls safety devices - instrumentation - flowmeters - etc
- and be able to inspect repairs and adjustments made by contractors
- Use standard hand tools and specialty tools such as manometers - multi-meters - combustion analyzers - test gauges - infrared thermometers - and dead-weight testers
- Read the various charts - gauges - and meters in order to determine the amount of steam being produced - fuel being consumed - water being used - etc.
- Determine when it is necessary to change settings on the controls and valves in order to maintain the proper change from one fuel to the other with a minimal amount of steam pressure drop
- Operate the air conditioning chillers and all related equipment listed above
- Constant observation of the meters - charts - gauges - water levels - and temperatures to ensure that all systems are functioning properly
- Responsible for the operation - maintenance - and cleanliness of the plant and all related equipment located within the plant
- Work Schedule: 8:00am - 8:00pm or 8:00pm to 8:00am - Variable Days-Fixed shifts Position Description Title/PD#: Utility Systems Operator-Recruitment/Relocation Incentive Authorized/PD30262A Recruitment Or Relocation Incentive: May be authorized for an eligible highly qualified individual
- The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers
- This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest
- As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care - you will operate in a model with three core elements - seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran
- This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community
- This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.
Salary : $28 - $33