This position is located within the Maintenance & Operations section of the VA Medical Center in Des Moines, IA. The Utility Systems Operator works in a plant consisting of the following: One (1) 20,000 lb./per hour and Two (2) 15,000 lb./per hour gas/oil fired, water tube boilers which are operated at 105 pounds of steam pressure and are equipped with the essential equipment necessary to make a complete, safe and operable steam generating plant.

Duties

The major duties include but are not limited to: Utilizes responsibility for the safe operation of the plant operations, a central boiler and chiller plant; Records steam production and other operating data at hourly intervals as required on the boiler log sheet, changes flow charts and computes daily use of makeup water, steam production and average outside temperature; Performs hourly inspections of operating equipment, records diesel fuel tank levels and diesel fuel usage daily; Maintains proper chemistry control of boiler water, condensate, chilled water and cooling towers through daily testing and adjustment of chemical injection and blowdown rates as required; Utilizes responsibility for the operation of the chiller units in the absence of the Maintenance Mechanic; Performs hourly checks of all operating equipment in the chiller plant, monitors gages, chiller and pump operation, cooling based building management system and checks the alarm screen at least hourly; Monitors the fire alarm system; Maintains an accurate and complete log of conditions and events during the tour of duty; Performs operator-level preventative and corrective maintenance on chillers, boilers, pumps, steam traps and other associated equipment within the plant area; Tests, inspects, adjusts and repairs all boiler controls safety devices, instrumentation, flow meters, etc.; Performs major and minor repairs to equipment; Performs minor electrical troubleshooting and repairs; and Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:00am to 3:30pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved

Requirements

Qualifications

PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK CONDITIONS: The work requires a considerable amount of standing, stooping, bending, kneeling, climbing and working in tiring and/or uncomfortable positions. The person in this position must be in good physical condition, have good eyesight with or without glasses and cannot be colorblind. The person in this position regularly carries, lifts and handles parts weighing up to 50 pounds. Occasionally lifts items weighing 80 pounds. Frequently exposed to temperature extremes, drafts, dampness, water and noise for work conditions. The majority of work takes plan in an industrial environment where the work area may be dirty, wet, dusty and greasy. The person in this position is subject to cuts, abrasions, burns, broken bones, electrical shock, infections, bites, exposure to inhalation of harmful chemical fumes, irritation of eyes, etc. and will wear protective clothing as needed. Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Federal Wage System Qualifications. For this position, the job element method is used to match what you, the applicant, can do against what the work calls for. Your knowledge, skills and abilities will be compared to the knowledge, skills and abilities (called job elements) needed for success. Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element (WG-2 and higher only; screen-outs are not applicable to WG-1). Applicants who appear to meet the screen out element are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated from consideration. The potential eligibles are rated against the remainder of the job elements. While a specific length of training and experience is not required, your responses to the questionnaire must be supported by detailed descriptions of your experience on your resume. You will be rated on the following Job Elements as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Dexterity and SafetyEquipment Assembly, Installation, RepairInterpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading)Measuring InstrumentsOperation of Equipment/MachineryTechnical Practices IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. 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. 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; religious; 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.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Contacts

• Address VA Central Iowa Health Care System 3600 30th St Des Moines, IA 50310 US
• Name: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Phone: (844)456-5208
• Email: [email protected]