Air Cond Equip Operator Leader

Air Cond Equip Operator Leader

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

Location(s): Atlanta, Georgia

Salary Range: $41.64 - $48.6 Per Hour

Job Summary: The incumbent serves as an A/C Equipment Operator responsible for operating, monitoring, and adjusting central plant systems, including high-pressure steam boilers, large-capacity centrifugal chillers, and building automation systems. Work involves continuous monitoring of critical infrastructure supporting a major medical center with 24/7 patient care operations. The position requires rotating shift work, including nights, weekends, and holidays, to ensure uninterrupted plant operations.

Major Duties:

• A. PLANT EQUIPMENT OPERATIONS AND MONITORING (50%) Operates and monitors four (4) high-pressure Cleaver-Brooks firetube boilers (Model 4WI 200-300-200ST, 10,000 lbs/hr each) for steam generation supporting heating, sterilization, kitchen operations, and critical medical center functions Operates and monitors four (4) centrifugal chillers: two Trane CVHF models (CVHF1070, CVHF870) and two York YK chillers (Model YKKSKSH9-CYG) each rated at 1,000 tons cooling capacity for air conditioning and process cooling Performs routine system inspections and monitoring of critical parameters, including steam pressure, boiler water levels, flue gas temperatures, chiller suction/discharge pressures, condenser and evaporator temperatures, motor current draws, and system efficiency indicators Makes operational adjustments using digital control panels, automated system interfaces, and building automation system (BAS) controls to maintain optimal equipment performance and energy efficiency Starts, stops, and transitions equipment based on seasonal loads, daily demand cycles, energy conservation protocols, and plant operational requirements Monitors and responds to alarms and alerts from the building automation system (BAS), implementing corrective actions within defined operator authority and escalating issues beyond operator capability to appropriate supervisory or maintenance personnel B. SYSTEM MAINTENANCE AND WATER TREATMENT (25%) Conducts water analysis and applies appropriate chemical treatment for boiler feedwater, boiler water, and chilled water systems to meet operational standards, manufacturer specifications, and regulatory requirements Performs routine maintenance tasks including lubrication of equipment, filter changes, minor adjustments, and preventive maintenance activities as directed Maintains detailed logs of system performance, shift activities, critical readings, equipment status, and maintenance activities using computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) and manual logbooks Conducts systematic walk-throughs of mechanical rooms and equipment spaces to identify potential issues, ensure safety compliance, verify proper equipment operation, and report concerns to appropriate personnel Performs basic troubleshooting of system malfunctions and implements corrective actions within operator authority while coordinating with maintenance personnel for complex repairs C. EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND COMMUNICATION (15%) Responds to emergencies, including equipment failures, utility interruptions, abnormal system conditions, fire alarms, and medical center events requiring immediate plant support Executes emergency shutdown protocols and initiates backup systems in accordance with established procedures or supervisory direction Communicates shift updates, system status, operational concerns, and equipment issues to supervisory staff and oncoming shift personnel to ensure continuity of operations Collaborates with the Plant Operations Supervisor and coordinates with HVAC mechanics, electronic control technicians, and other trades for troubleshooting, maintenance support, and emergency response D. SAFETY AND REGULATORY COMPLIANCE (10%) Ensures compliance with EPA, OSHA, Joint Commission, and VA directives in all operational activities Participates in safety programs, safety training, and emergency drills as required Maintains required certifications for boiler and pressure vessel operations Adheres to personal protective equipment protocols and participates in the respiratory protection program Reports safety hazards, near-miss incidents, and regulatory compliance issues to supervisory personnel Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 12:00 am - 12:00 pm Position Description Title/PD#: Air Cond Equip Operator Leader/PD103870 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Qualifications: To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 03/11/2026. EXPERIENCE Three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in power plant operations, central plant operations, HVAC systems, or large facility utility operations. Experience must demonstrate knowledge of boiler and chiller operations, building automation systems, and preventive maintenance practices. 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 online questionnaire. Those applicants who appear to meet the minimum acceptable qualification requirement are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and eliminated. The potential eligibilities are then rated against the remainder of the Job Elements: Ability to Lead or Supervise Ability to Provide Production Support Services Accessibility Conflict Management Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair Mechanical Plumbing and Pipefitting Troubleshooting Use of Test Equipment: Electronics 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. FACTOR 1: KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED BY THE POSITION Knowledge of high-pressure steam boiler operations, safety procedures, and monitoring techniques including feedwater systems, combustion controls, and steam distribution. Knowledge of large-capacity centrifugal chiller operations, refrigeration cycles, and cooling system fundamentals. Understanding of chilled water and steam system fundamentals, thermodynamic principles, heat transfer concepts, and fluid dynamics. Knowledge of building automation systems (BAS) and digital control systems used in modern utility plant operations. Knowledge of water chemistry, water analysis procedures, and chemical treatment protocols for boiler and cooling water systems. Knowledge of basic troubleshooting techniques for steam and chilled water systems, pumps, motors, and auxiliary equipment. Knowledge of safety procedures and emergency protocols for pressurized systems and mechanical equipment. FACTOR 2: SUPERVISORY CONTROLS Work is performed under the general supervision of the Plant Operations Supervisor. The incumbent receives initial instruction on new procedures and equipment but is expected to work independently once trained. Work is reviewed through inspection of completed tasks, review of logs and records, and evaluation of system performance. FACTOR 3: GUIDELINES Guidelines include manufacturer's operating manuals, standard operating procedures, VA directives, OSHA regulations, EPA requirements, and emergency response protocols. The incumbent must interpret and apply guidelines to varying operational conditions and make adjustments based on system requirements. FACTOR 4: COMPLEXITY Work involves operating complex central plant equipment with multiple interrelated systems. The incumbent must coordinate boiler and chiller operations, respond to varying load demands, and make operational decisions that impact facility-wide systems and patient care operations. FACTOR 5: SCOPE AND EFFECT Work directly affects the operation of critical infrastructure supporting a major medical center. Equipment failures or operational errors can impact patient care, safety, and facility operations. Proper operation ensures reliable heating, cooling, and steam service for medical center operations. FACTOR 6: PERSONAL CONTACTS Contacts include Plant Operations Supervisor, maintenance personnel, HVAC mechanics, electronic control technicians, facility management staff, and occasionally medical center personnel when performing duties in patient care areas. FACTOR 7: PURPOSE OF CONTACTS Contacts are made to coordinate work activities, report system status, request maintenance support, communicate operational issues, and ensure continuity of plant operations across shifts. FACTOR 8: PHYSICAL DEMANDS Work requires frequent walking throughout the facility, climbing ladders to access elevated equipment, working in confined spaces, and performing maintenance tasks in various positions. Visual acuity is required for reading gauges, meters, and computer displays. Manual dexterity is necessary for operating controls and performing maintenance tasks. FACTOR 9: WORK ENVIRONMENT Work is performed in central plant mechanical spaces with high ambient temperatures up to 120°F, elevated noise levels requiring hearing protection, high humidity conditions, and exposure to water treatment chemicals. Work involves potential contact with pressurized systems, hot surfaces, and moving machinery.

How to Apply: All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 03/11/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12857126. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USA JOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. 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. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. Beginning September 27, 2025, Federal agencies will only accept resumes up to two pages in length to comply with the Merit Hiring Plan. Resumes longer than two pages will result in ineligibility for further consideration for the position. USAJOBS will not allow you to upload or build resumes longer than two pages, and you will need to update the resumes in your profile before applying for a job. Resumes should include information relevant to the knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies of the position to which you are applying. VA is unable to make assumptions about qualifications if not clearly listed. Resumes must be legible so they can be reviewed for eligibility, minimum qualifications and other position requirements listed in the job announcement. If initial application submission is updated and resubmitted with a new resume, only the most current resume will be reviewed for consideration. Your resume must be 5MB or less. We recommend saving and uploading your resume as a PDF to maintain formatting and number of pages. We also accept GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, TXT, PDF, ODT or Word (DOC or DOCX). We do not accept PDF portfolio files. We recommend using a sans-serif font size like Lato, if available. Other widely available options are Calibri, Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, Open San Source Sans Pro, Roboto or Noro Sans. Make your page margins 0.5 inches. Consider using 14-point size font for titles and 10-point for the main text in your resume. The resume builder can help you create a resume using these recommendations and uses the information in your USAJOBS profile to help you get started. Helpful Hints for Creating a Two-Page Resume: Prioritize most relevant and recent experience Use concise, results focused language Align language from the job announcement Focus on demonstrating skills and competencies Remove outdated or unrelated experience Use the USAJOBS resume builder Additional guidance on this new requirement and resume building tools can be found at: https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/page-limit https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/merit-hiring-plan-resources/applicant-guidance-on-the-two-page-resume-limit/ Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified, you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified (have a final rating of 85 or more) for this vacancy. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.

Application Deadline: 2026-03-11