The VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System is committed to Diversity and Inclusion. Together, we strive to create and maintain a working and learning environment that promotes professional growth and teamwork. We offer an inclusive, equitable, and welcoming environment where we celebrate our individual differences and unite as a team toward a common goal of providing outstanding service to our Nation's Veterans.

Duties

This position serves as a Boiler Plant Equipment Mechanic located at the Eastern Kansas VA both in the Dwight D. Eisenhower VA Medical Center, Leavenworth, Kansas, and the Colmery O'Neil VA Medical Center in Topeka, Kansas and assigned to the Boiler Plant of the Facilities Management Service (FMS). The primary purpose of this position is to accomplish equipment replacement, maintenance, repair, and operations for the entire Boiler Plant, steam piping system, and monitoring of the Building Automation System (BAS). The physical plant consists of many highly technical and sophisticated systems that support the critical equipment that supports Medical Center functions and ensures the operations of the VA Medical Center which provides vital patient care to the Veteran community. Duties include but are not limited to: Operates, monitors, adjusts, calibrates, and repairs various electronic elements of the building environmental monitoring control system, automated electronic combustion systems on steam boilers, and other electronic programmable controllers related to steam, feedwater control and pneumatic air systems, etc., to troubleshoot malfunctions of the complex systems under automated controls. Monitors Building Automation Systems (BAS), and initiates adjustments when systems become out of range or in alarm conditions in order to maintain patient care and a safe environment throughout the Medical Center. Documents and notifies appropriate personnel within the Medical Center of the alarm and makes appropriate adjustments/repairs either manually or via the boiler automation controls or the BAS to bring the utilities back within range. Directs VA staff to the location of emergencies that cannot be solved through automation, and follows all local policy, guidance, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that govern these types of situations. Responsible for repairing, operating, and maintaining multiple boilers operating on dual fuel (natural gas or oil) fired boilers, which use No. 2 oil as a standby energy source and all associated equipment such as burners with Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) for combustion air, electronic combustion control systems, centrifugal feed water pumps with VFDs, drum level controls, steam transmitters, de- aerating tank, water softeners and condensate storage tanks. Performs mandated checks of the steam boilers, plant auxiliary equipment, and the system automation control to ensure proper operation - adjusting as needed. Starts, stops, and operates steam boilers and all auxiliary equipment. Records and documents boiler and condensate water tests, temperatures, pressures, water levels, and all other Boiler Plant operational readings as required. Checks and makes necessary adjustments to the steam boiler and auxiliary plant equipment for hazards that could endanger personnel and equipment, and complies with safety requirements, general and special rules, instructions, and the Medical Center Facilities Management Service SOPs. Performs annual teardowns and maintenance on steam boilers and prepares the boiler for annual inspections which involves, wash-down of the water side of the boiler, cleaning of the fires side of the boiler, cleaning tube sheets and tube, calibrating multiple types of gauges, calibrating critical safety devices, and replacing worn and faulty boiler controls components. Answers trouble calls on the Facilities Management work order phone line. Monitors the work order system for emergent work/service requests and responds appropriately; verifies the emergent request, communicates with the requesting individual, and determines the appropriate engineering response to the emergent request. Communicates with Medical Center administration, coordinating and communicating the proper engineering response. Each shift operator is qualified to work any shift as a member of a self-directed work team that will work evenings, days, nights and holidays as Operator in Charge that can direct emergency responses. These responses can include, correcting the issues themselves, coordinating with other staff on-site, calling in off duty staff or calling Facilities Management Leadership to initiate emergent contractor assistance to perform services required to remedy the issue. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Shift work: days, nights, weekends, and holidays. Determined by Supervisor. Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description Title/PD#: Boiler Plant Equipment Mechanic/PD10258A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure: Not Required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/10/2024. 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: Ability to Do the Work of the Position without More Than Normal SupervisionDexterity and SafetyElectric DrawingsElectrical EquipmentEquipment Assembly, Installation, RepairInterpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading)Troubleshooting (Electronic Equipment) 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: Most of the work is performed indoors, but occasionally service is performed outdoors and subject to adverse weather conditions. Employee is 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. Tool Inspections and Cleaning. Frequently encounters ladders, catwalks, confined spaces, etc., and is subjected to hazards normally encountered in the trade. This also includes working weekends, holidays and shift work based on seniority and boiler plant needs. May be exposed to asbestos and lead. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Contacts

• Address VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System 2200 SW Gage Blvd Topeka, KS 66622 US
• Name: Randy Pass
• Phone: 913-682-2000 X62503
• Email: [email protected]