Utility Systems Operator

Summary

This position serves as a Utilities System Operator within Engineering Service at WJB Dorn VA Medical Center, Columbia, South Carolina under the supervision of the Utility Systems Supervisor, with second level direction provided by the Maintenance Control Manager. This position performs a full range of tasks that are involved in the upkeep, maintenance and operation of the Boiler Plant, Engineering Control Center, and the Chiller Plant.

Duties

The Major Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to: The Utilities System Operator performs a variety of tasks on a regular and reoccurring basis, involved in Steam and Chilled Water Generating Plant along with water, sewage distribution, medium pressure air, medical air, vacuum tube system, and electricity generation. The work requires the ability to start, stop and regulate the utility or utilities for optimum efficiency and troubleshoot, maintain, and repair them, and knowledge of the locations and functions of all equipment in the systems. Utilities System Operator when working night shift, weekends and holidays, on a rotating basis, incumbent is unsupervised and acts in a decision-making capacity. During this time, incumbent is responsible for ensuring that all operational techniques and maintenance procedures are carried out. All calls that are received must be coordinated to see what corrective action can be taken and the incumbent must call Facility Management personnel in on overtime to make repairs as necessary. Plant Operations 75% Incumbent would perform work of operating and maintaining the Medical Center's centralized, multiple zone air conditioning plant that serves a complex of buildings on campus including laboratories, offices, support and other buildings. The incumbent utilizes the Honeywell Graphic Central and Landis Siemens Apogee Energy Management Computer Systems; controls and monitors the air conditioning plant that consists of multiple large capacity chillers. The system is complex as reflected by the large number of components and auxiliary equipment that are monitored and used as a basis for judgments and operating decisions. Some of the diverse areas served by the plant are computer and telecommunications areas, operating rooms, research laboratories, clinical laboratories and intensive care wards. These areas require precise control of temperature and humidity that cannot vary by more than plus or minus a few degrees. Various other utility and life support systems such as air handlers, exhaust fans, stand-alone air conditioning systems, dietetic refrigeration, steam distribution, solar heat, domestic hot and cold water, electrical switch gear, emergency generators, oxygen, nitrous oxide, vacuum, air, etc. are also monitored and controlled by the Energy Management Computer Systems. Incumbent will receive general supervision from the Supervisory Utility Systems as to work schedules, operating policies and procedures. Incumbent will work alone most of the time. The incumbent is responsible for preventive maintenance and repairs of all steam plant equipment and plant in a clean, safe working environment. He/she performs preventive maintenance and repair duties when operation of the boiler(s) does not demand immediate attention. Operators at this level need practical knowledge of electronic theory and design and ability to use theoretical concepts to devise solutions for operating or repair problems on one-of-a-kind systems in which novel engineering approaches have created unforeseen problems. They exercise skill in interpreting electronic, electrical, and mechanical drawings, specifications, and schematics of complete custom systems such as a new automated boiler and chiller controls. They require skill in troubleshooting complex electronic systems characterized by unusual circuit arrangements. Plant Testing 25% To accomplish his/her mission, the incumbent must be proficient in the use of all tools and testing devices associated with the above described trades, such as hand tools, multimeter, and electrical power tools. His/her work will be subject to spot checks for adherence to policies, quantity and quality of work. Work Schedule: Rotating Shifts- Mid-8am, 8am-4:30pm, 4:30pm-Mid. Position Description Title/PD#: Utility Systems Operator/PD11433-A Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.

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 Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 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. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary 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, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications and evaluation

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Applicants will be referred in the order in which they were received.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

How to apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 10/15/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13077692. 1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. 2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

Required documents

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.

Additional information

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer (TJO). Please visit the Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP), va.gov/EMPLOYEE/docs/The-Fair-Chance-to-Compete-Act.pdf for more information. VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. The following will be communicated to applicants for VA employment in a testing designated position and will also be included in all VA vacancy announcements for such positions: All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drugs use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. 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/. Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.