Utility Systems Repairer-Operator

This position serves as a Utility System Repairer-Operator located at the VA St. Louis Health Care System (VASTLHCS) under the supervision of the Energy Plant Operations Supervisor and assigned to the Energy Plant of the Facilities Engineering Services (FES). The Energy Center consists of 6 chillers, water pumps, and piping systems, roof top package units, building pressure controls, refrigeration, mini-split HVAC systems, split HVAC systems, air handlers, and whole building exhaust systems., Major duties include, but are not limited to:

• Energy Plant
• Responsible for Boiler Plant automation and BAS that integrates and uses special computers to store operating parameters and initiates adjustments when systems become out of range or in alarm conditions.
• Responsible for repairing, operating, and maintaining three 1000 hp at 35,000 lbs/hr boilers; one 350 hp boiler and two 600 hp boilers operating on dual fuel (natural gas or oil) fired boilers.
• Chillers and HVAC/R
• Responsible for the operation, maintenance, and repair of Building Automation Systems (BAS) and all types and brands of temperature, humidity, and all volumetric controls, both individually and in any combination.
• Diagnoses, troubleshoots, modifies, repairs, replaces, and installs critical and special purpose HVAC/R equipment and systems that provide specific and critical climatic conditions throughout the entire Medical Center.
• Engineering Response Coordination
• Communicates with Medical Center administration and determines and coordinates the proper engineering response.
• Correcting issues themselves including work performed by air conditioning equipment operators (through BAS), electronic industrial controls mechanics (for controls sequencing at component controllers), air conditioning equipment mechanics (at air handler units via variable frequency drives and at terminal units), electricians (resetting of tripped breakers) and pipefitting/plumbing (repair of systems that are non-operational).
• Administrative Duties
• Calculates, tracks, documents, and creates reports for all energy consumptions and utilities for the entire campus and records the data.
• Drafts Interim Safety Measures (ISMs) for critical power boilers and auxiliary boiler equipment, ensuring the continued safe and efficient operations of the Boiler Plant to prevent the shutdown of the Medical Center.
• Performs other related duties as assigned., * A complete application package; including Resume, Transcripts, etc. is required
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents).
• Effective May 7, 2025, driver’s licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.

Beginning September 27, 2025, Federal agencies will only accept resumes up to two pages in length to comply with the Merit Hiring Plan. Resumes longer than two pages will result in ineligibility for further consideration for the position. USAJOBS will not allow you to upload or build resumes longer than two pages, and you will need to update the resumes in your profile before applying for a job. Resumes should include information relevant to the knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies of the position to which you are applying. VA is unable to make assumptions about qualifications if not clearly listed., As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial 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:

• your 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 or trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest., * Ability to Do the Work of the Position without More Than Normal Supervision

• Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading)
• Materials
• Shop Practices
• Technical Practices
• Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
• Use of Measuring Instruments

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 Requirements/Working Conditions: Subjected to sustained physical effort in the operation of power boilers, chillers, HVAC/R equipment, steam distribution systems, chilled water distribution systems; physical requirements may include working from ladders, scaffolds, and platforms where parts of the system are in hard-to-reach places. Work is carried out in tiring positions such as standing, crouching, stooping, kneeling, and prone for long periods of time. Occasionally, the incumbent will be required to lift items in the excess of 50 pounds and 100 pounds with assistance. The incumbent frequently lifts, carries, and sets up parts and equipment that weighs up to 50 pounds. Subject to hazards of refrigerants, fumes, boiler bursts, steam blow back, flame blow backs, scalding water, burns and electrical shock. Exposed frequently to temperature extremes, high noise levels, drafts, dampness, water, and noise for work conditions. Most of the work takes place in an industrial environment but does require work outdoors, exposed to the elements. Incumbent will frequently encounter ladders, catwalks, confined spaces, etc., and is subjected to hazards normally encountered in the trade and may be exposed to asbestos., Documents Accepted:

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Other (1)
• PCS Orders
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Documents Required:

• Resume

Please review the above list(s) to ensure you have included all necessary documents required for your application.Not every applicant will require the same documents, therefore it is the applicants responsibility to ensure that their application package includes all necessary documents to determine qualifications and eligibility for appointment, such as a copy of your SF-50, transcript, ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).You will not be contacted for additional information. Applicants will be deemed ineligible if supporting documentation is not submitted.

Veterans’ Preference: Since the Direct-Hire Recruitment Authority is being used, traditional Veterans’ Preference rules do not apply. Qualified veterans will, however, be given full consideration for this position.

Applications are accepted online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application., After the vacancy announcement closes, applicants are evaluated to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email.

Do you have experience in Split-system HVAC systems?, 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., This job does not have an education qualification requirement., Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution., Security clearance Not Required Drug test No Position sensitivity and risk Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk Trust determination process

• Credentialing
• Suitability/Fitness

Financial disclosure No Bargaining unit status

$33.87 - $39.53 an hour - Permanent, Full-time, A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

Duty Station: Jefferson Barracks Division; however, the duty station may be changed to one of multiple locations within the VA St. Louis Health Care System based on the needs of the facility., 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/.