This position serves as a Utility System Repairer-Operator located at the VA St. Louis Health Care System (VASTLHCS) under the supervision of the Energy Plant Operations Supervisor and assigned to the Energy Plant of the Facilities Engineering Services (FES). The Energy Center consists of 6 chillers, water pumps, and piping systems, roof top package units, building pressure controls, refrigeration, mini-split HVAC systems, split HVAC systems, air handlers, and whole building exhaust systems.
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 01/22/2026. 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 Supervision Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading) Materials Shop Practices Technical Practices Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment Use of Measuring Instruments 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: Subjected to sustained physical effort in the operation of power boilers, chillers, HVAC/R equipment, steam distribution systems, chilled water distribution systems; physical requirements may include working from ladders, scaffolds, and platforms where parts of the system are in hard-to-reach places. Work is carried out in tiring positions such as standing, crouching, stooping, kneeling, and prone for long periods of time. Occasionally, the incumbent will be required to lift items in the excess of 50 pounds and 100 pounds with assistance. The incumbent frequently lifts, carries, and sets up parts and equipment that weighs up to 50 pounds. 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. Most of the work takes place in an industrial environment but does require work outdoors, exposed to the elements. Incumbent will frequently encounter ladders, catwalks, confined spaces, etc., and is subjected to hazards normally encountered in the trade and may be exposed to asbestos.
Major duties include, but are not limited to: Energy Plant Responsible for Boiler Plant automation and BAS that integrates and uses special computers to store operating parameters and initiates adjustments when systems become out of range or in alarm conditions. Responsible for repairing, operating, and maintaining three 1000 hp at 35,000 lbs/hr boilers; one 350 hp boiler and two 600 hp boilers operating on dual fuel (natural gas or oil) fired boilers. Chillers and HVAC/R Responsible for the operation, maintenance, and repair of Building Automation Systems (BAS) and all types and brands of temperature, humidity, and all volumetric controls, both individually and in any combination. Diagnoses, troubleshoots, modifies, repairs, replaces, and installs critical and special purpose HVAC/R equipment and systems that provide specific and critical climatic conditions throughout the entire Medical Center. Engineering Response Coordination Communicates with Medical Center administration and determines and coordinates the proper engineering response. Correcting issues themselves including work performed by air conditioning equipment operators (through BAS), electronic industrial controls mechanics (for controls sequencing at component controllers), air conditioning equipment mechanics (at air handler units via variable frequency drives and at terminal units), electricians (resetting of tripped breakers) and pipefitting/plumbing (repair of systems that are non-operational). Administrative Duties Calculates, tracks, documents, and creates reports for all energy consumptions and utilities for the entire campus and records the data. Drafts Interim Safety Measures (ISMs) for critical power boilers and auxiliary boiler equipment, ensuring the continued safe and efficient operations of the Boiler Plant to prevent the shutdown of the Medical Center. Performs other related duties as assigned. Promotion Potential: This position is for WG-10. There is no promotion potential for this position. Work Schedule: Full-Time, Permanent - 12-hour Rotating shift Position Description Title/PD#: Utilities Systems Repairer-Operator/PD09775A Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Duty Station: Jefferson Barracks Division or John Cochran Division; however, the duty station may be changed to one of multiple locations within the VA St. Louis Health Care System based on the needs of the facility.