Summary

The primary purpose of the Utility Systems Repairer-Operator (USRO) combines the duties of a Boiler Plant Operator and a Boiler Plant Equipment Mechanic and is responsible for the operation, maintenance, and repair of the facility's boiler plant and auxiliary utility systems. This position is also regularly given shift-level responsibility as the "operator in charge" for the SLC VAMC Engineering Department while operating the plant on nights, weekends, and holidays.

This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

Federal employees whose job, agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants.

Clarification from the agency

ALL US CITIZENS DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.201) for this occupation.

Duties

Duties - Utility Systems Repairer Operator responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Journeyman-level acquired training and/or experience in the repair and operation of boilers and auxiliary equipment in plants of this size.
Broad knowledge of all phases of boiler plant operation and be able to use that knowledge to grasp the interrelations between the various processes found in the boiler plant and associated systems.
A proficiency in reading and interpreting blueprints, schematics, and diagrams.
An analytical ability when it comes to taking logs, viewing trends, and interpreting what the data means and how it can help predict situations that may be occurring so that they operator can anticipate changes before they possibly become catastrophic.
The ability to select and use proper hand tools, power tools, and test equipment used for maintenance and repairs.
Computer skills to be able to navigate the Siemens and Johnson Controls panels, the VistA Work Order System, as well as the ability to proficiently use the Microsoft Office suite of programs.
The ability to complete their required duties in a timely manner, without mistakes, with little to no supervision.
Excellent customer service and communication skills when working with both hospital staff and other engineering trade personnel.
Operating all controls of the boiler plant in both automatic and manual modes of operation, as the situation requires.
Perform hourly rounds on equipment and recording readings in accordance with the facility's policies and procedures.
Maintain the Boiler Plant Logbooks and records and providing proper shift turnover to oncoming Operator.
Operate and monitor graphic control systems and various metering systems for the boiler plant. Analyze the chemistry of the boiler water, feed water, water softening, and condensate systems using standard chemical tests. If any of these tests are found to be out of specification, take required actions to correct the discrepancy, which can include adjusting the pumps or modifying the electronic control system.
Communicate with appropriate personnel per medical center policy concerning station fire alarms, disaster notification and various other alarm systems.
Performing various housekeeping functions within the boiler plant.
Operation, as needed, of the three 30,000-gallon below-ground propane storage tanks, the associated air mixing equipment, and all metering and monitoring equipment.
Monitoring the Sensodyne Gas Detection system for any potential buildup of combustible gasses or carbon monoxide in the boiler plant, propane yard, or co-gen plant spaces.
Ensure that all boilers and associated equipment are operated IAW manufacturer recommendations and VA Boiler Plant Operations policies.

Other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: 8hr shifts weekdays, 12hr shifts weekends, Rotating
Position Description Title/PD#: Utility Systems Repairer/Operator/PD13765-A
Incentive: Recruitment or Relocation Incentive may be authorized.
Physical Requirements: Physical Requirements: The job can require moderate to strenuous effort and long periods of walking, standing, climbing, bending, and crouching. When performing repairs, they may occasionally work from scaffolds and platforms and may perform strenuous work while standing, sitting, or lying down. Workers frequently lift and carry parts, tools, chemical supplies, or other equipment weighing up to 50 pounds unassisted, and may sometimes be required to move items weighing over that amount with the assistance of other workers or weight handling equipment. They will also be required to work a rotating shift schedule, which can be arduous.
Working Conditions: Generally works indoors but may occasionally work outside for short periods where they could be exposed to inclement weather conditions. They can be subject to high temperatures, constant noise, rotating machinery, chemicals, and other hazards. While doing maintenance and repairs, they are also exposed to the potential for cuts, abrasions, burns, and other potential contacts with hazards. To minimize the dangers from these and other similar conditions, they must follow all prescribed safety guidelines and wear all appropriate personal protective equipment.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
Subject to a background/suitability investigation
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

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, Repair
Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading)
Materials
Measuring Instruments
Technical Practices
Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
Without 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.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

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.
The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act (or the Act) prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from requesting applicant criminal history record information before extending a conditional or tentative offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S.C § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Act, may submit a written complaint within 30 calendar days of the date of the alleged non-compliance to VA at vacofairchanceact@va.gov. Applicant written complaints should include the following:

Administration name: Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Office name, employee name and contact information or contractor who made contact (if known).
Date of contact.
Details regarding the job opportunity announcement applied to, and copies of any documents or other evidence related to the complaint.
Visit Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO) for more information.

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.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

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.

Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.
The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

Required Documents

Documents Accepted:

Cover Letter
DD-214/ Statement of Service
Disability Letter (VA)
License
Other (1)
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.

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 06/03/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12844220.

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.

Agency contact information

VISN 19 HR Contact Center

Phone

719-227-4600

V19USAJOBS@VA.GOV

Address

VA Salt Lake City Health Care System
500 Foothill Drive
Salt Lake City, UT 84148
US

Next steps

After the vacancy announcement closes, applicants are evaluated to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email.

Overview

Accepting applications

Open & closing dates

12/03/2025 to 06/03/2026

Salary

$32.46 to - $37.86 per hour

Pay scale & grade

WG 11

Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

Salt Lake City, UT

Remote job

Telework eligible

Travel Required

Not required

Relocation expenses reimbursed

Appointment type

Permanent

Work schedule

Full-time

Service

Competitive

Promotion potential

None

Job family (Series)

4742 Utility Systems Repairing-Operating

Supervisory status

Security clearance

Not Required

Drug test

Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Trust determination process

Credentialing
Suitability/Fitness

Financial disclosure

Bargaining unit status

Announcement number

CBSU-12844220-26-DM

Control number

851481300

US Veterans Health Administration

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Utility Systems Repairer/Operator