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.

Duties

Pipefitting -Troubleshoots, repairs and installs equipment used by the Kitchen, Canteen and rest of the facility and for heating at locations throughout the station. Typical items of equipment include dishwashers, steam cookers, steam and electrical hot water heaters. Troubleshoots, repairs and installs various components of the steam, condensate, fire sprinklers, water and drainage/sewer systems. This involves repair and/or replacement of piping, valves, pressure regulators, pumps, traps, lagging, packing, gauges and heat exchangers. Incumbent performs preventive and corrective maintenance on pumps, steam traps, and other associated equipment. -Inspect, adjust, calibrate and repair all devices, instrumentation, flow meters, etc. and be able to inspect repairs and adjustments made by contractors. -Uses tools such as manometers, multi-meters, combustion analyzers, test gauges, infrared thermometers, and dead-weight testers. -Performs ·major and minor repairs to equipment and operate in accordance with VA regulations and directives, facility policies, local standard operating procedures and good engineering practice -Maintains and installs a variety of pluming fixtures including sinks, toilets, showers, tubs, and their components. -Maintains and stores tools and equipment of plumbing/pipefitting trades such as hand tools, pipe threaders, augers, drills, torches, welders, etc. -Performs preventative maintenance on equipment and utility systems as scheduled. Works with and guides the work of patients, temporary employees and apprentices. The incumbent will be called upon to assist in small scale asbestos abatement projects as necessary. Boiler Plant Operations -Responsible for as needed operation coverage at the BP which has a VHA boiler plant facilities operate on a 7-day, 3-shift plan. Incumbent could work any of all three (3) shifts and weekends as necessary to cover boiler plant shifts when regularly scheduled boiler plant operator is unavailable for more than one week at a time and during long absences could work long periods of time as an operator. -Ensures safe, efficient, and continuous operations of four, high-pressure fire tube boilers at all times while protecting property, equipment and systems from damage and preventing the loss of human life due to failures that may result from excessive boiler pressures or furnace explosions. -Uses electronic and pneumatic controls, charts, recorders, meters, gauges, and computer-generated data to determine adjustments or corrections necessary for proper boiler operations or changing load requirements. I Incumbents operate, adjust, maintain and repair auxiliary equipment including: unfired pressure vessels, centrifugal pumps, rotary pumps, piston pumps, forced draft fans, atomized air compressors, water softening units, fuel oil strainers and filters, steam traps and straitiers, piping and valves. -Tests, adjusts, maintains, and repairs boiler safety devices such as flame safeguard systems, pressure switches, pressure differential switches, limit switches, timers, water column safety devices, electric/electronic probes and sensors, steam safety valves, and automatic and manual fuel valves for the purpose of preventing major .pressure vessel failures and/or furnace explosions. -Incumbent 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. Through the use of manual, automatic, semi-automatic, microprocessor controls or systems, the Incumbent monitors, adjusts and controls all phases of boiler plant operations. -Performs preventive and corrective maintenance on boilers, pumps, steam traps, and other associated equipment. The incumbent must inspect, adjust, calibrate and repair all boiler controls safety devices, instrumentation, flow meters, etc. and be able to inspect repairs and adjustments made by contractors. He/she uses tools such as manometers, multi-meters, combustion analyzers, test gauges, infrared thermometers, and dead-weight testers. Work Schedule: Sunday- Saturday 8:00am-4:00pm or 4:0pm-12:00am; or 12:00pm-8:00pm. Position Description Title/PD#: Utility Systems Repairer-Operator/PD80444A

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
• Subject to a background/suitability investigation
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• May serve a probationary period
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

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, RepairInspectOperation of Equipment/Machinery 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: The work requires moderate to heavy physical exertion while lifting, carrying, handling, moving, pulling, pushing, transporting or setting up; equipment, ladders, materials, parts, scaffolds, tools up to 50 pounds unaided. Occasionally required to lift and move items weighing in excess of 100 pounds, with the help of weight handling equipment or with assistance from other workers. The position requires manual dexterity, good physical condition and stamina. Works from catwalks, ground level, climbing and working on ladders, platforms, scaffolds, or hard-to-reach places requiring climbing and/or crawling, bending, walking and stomping, reaching over and under while in cramped, awkward, tiring, and or uncomfortable positions; applying hand, eye, leg, and body coordination. Work requires kneeling, stretching, pushing, pulling, crouching, stooping, bending, climbing, walking, considerable crawling and standing for long periods on concrete floors and corrugated steel catwalks and negotiating confined spaces. Must be able to perform work at heights in excess of thirty feet and inside confined spaces requiring entry and exit through standard manual openings. Must be able to use appropriate respiratory protective equipment while working in conditions involving adverse elements such as carbon, cement, fire clay, fibrous glass, silica and soot dust; chemical and organic vapors. Must have vision of no less than 20/40 (corrected) and be able to distinguish basic shades of color. Must have ability to assess equipment/system operating conditions during all hours in often remote locations while working alone and respond with sound judgment and ingenuity to stressful situations. Ability to maintain a high degree of mental alertness and concentration at all hours for up to twelve hours at a time. Incumbents will receive annual physicals to ensure they are physically fit to perform the assigned duties.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Contacts

• Address Jonathan M Wainwright Memorial VA Medical Center 77 Wainwright Drive Walla Walla, WA 99362 US
• Name: Tami Sweet
• Phone: 916-213-9783
• Email: [email protected]