The position is located at the Loma Linda VA Healthcare System in the Facility Management Service (FMS). The primary purpose of the Utility Systems Operator (USO) is to ensure the safe operation of the facility's centrally located boiler and chiller plant. Controls, operates and maintains boiler plant equipment including high pressure fire-tube boilers, condensate water tank and pumps, deaerator tank, feed water pumps, and steam pressure reducing stations.

Duties

Major duties include, but are not limited to the following: Applies complete and comprehensive knowledge of the operations, operational maintenance, and repair program of high-pressure steam-generating plant multi-fuel fired power boilers and monitors plant status with Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) computer system. Fire high-pressure boilers with natural gas, fuel oil, or other steam plant operating experience that can be demonstrated to correlate with boiler plant operations. Operate the boiler plant under normal and emergency conditions in a safe and reasonable manner with little or no immediate supervisory direction. Start, stop, operate, and maintain a power boiler facility, in either manual or automatic mode, to meet the steam demands of the facility. Read and analyze information from gages, meters, recorders, analog displays, and computer-generated data to determine the operational status of plant facilities and make necessary adjustments. Use tools, equipment and material required to calibrate, adjust maintain and repair boiler and burner safety devices. Maintain operations, operational maintenance and repair program for all boiler safety devices, all associated auxiliary equipment, piping systems, control systems, burner management systems with interlocks, water treatment and fuel systems. Apply knowledge of the principles and theories of fuel combustion, heat transfer, and steam generation, the structural characteristics of boilers, and mechanical, electromechanical, and pneumatic principles to properly operate, adjust, troubleshoot, and maintain the equipment and systems. Determine actual concentrations or levels of alkalinity, chlorides, dissolved oxygen, hardness, PH and phosphates of waters, determining and applying proper treatment methods and dosages based on test results and specific operating conditions. Apply water treatment procedures and analysis using standard test procedures such as sampling and testing condensate, boiler water, feed water. Utilize computers using Microsoft Windows and Windows-based systems. Know plant piping systems to by-pass equipment or components in order maintain steam service during unusual conditions. Work Schedule: Variable shifts Position Description Title/PD#: Utility Systems Operator/PD10833A Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/20/2024. 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: Equipment Assembly, Installation, RepairFollow DirectionsOperation of Equipment/MachineryTroubleshootingWithout 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 Requirements: Work requires frequent walking, standing, pushing carts and wheelbarrows, as well as bending for long periods of time. The incumbent works outside in cool, hot, and inclement weather; works with ladders, in wet areas and waterways, uses gas powered pumps and large power hand tools. At times, incumbent will be required to perform heavy lifting up to 90 pounds. Working Conditions: Work is done mostly outside where the incumbent is subject to smog, hot sun, and inclement weather conditions. The incumbent is also exposed to dirt, soil, water, dust, and mud. The incumbent must wear protective gear such as gloves, safety shoes, face mask, and rubber clothing. Incumbent is subject to minor injuries, such as bruises, cuts, and scrapes. There is a possibility of broken bones from falls and back injuries. The incumbent is exposed to bites from insects and other life-threatening hazards such as snakes.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Contacts

• Address Jerry L Pettis Memorial Veterans Hospital 11201 Benton Street Loma Linda, CA 92357 US
• Name: Joshua Purpura
• Phone: (385) 560-4320
• Email: [email protected]