Utility Systems Repairer-Operator Helper (TCF Trainee)

Utility Systems Repairer-Operator Helper (TCF Trainee)

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

Location(s): Walla Walla, Washington

Salary Range: $22.75 - $26.5 Per Hour

Job Summary: This is an entry level TCF trainee position for Utility Systems Repairer-Operator, located at the Jonathan M. Wainwright Memorial VA Medical Center Walla Walla, WA. Under supervision of the Maintenance and Operation Supervisor (Boiler Plant), the incumbent participates in the Utility Systems Repairer-Operator Technical Career Field (TCF) 2-year training program, which is a national workforce development program within VHA designed to replenish technical staff in critically identified positions.

Major Duties:

• The TCF career fields represent those technical fields where VA-specific knowledge and experience is desirable for success in the field. Individuals selected follow a formal training plan for two years during which they are trained, coached, and supervised by a preceptor. Preceptors are selected annually, through an extensive application process, for their technical expertise, their commitment to training and the suitability of their facility as a training location. *Selectees will be required to sign Mobility, Training, and Continued Service Agreements. Duties include but are not limited to: Uses equipment instruction sheets, blueprints, drawings, and oral or written instructions. Skill to read and interpret results of devices such as gauges and meters. After normal business hours, the operator will also receive calls normally directed to FMS tradesmen at home and perform first response actions throughout the campus, correcting problems if reasonably simple and can be safely addressed. The incumbent assists in the collection of boiler, condensate, feed, and soft water samples and conducts water tests; analyzes results determining acidity, causticity, and alkalinity by using prescribed reagents, color slides, or other standards. Calculates treatment requirements, making determination of required chemicals to be added to boilers and de-aerating tank to treat water or control corrosion/scale formation. Uses equipment instruction sheets, blueprints, drawings, and oral or written instructions. Skill and ability to use varied hand/power tools and practice good Boiler Plant Operator care/maintenance. The incumbent assists in making periodic visual checks of equipment to ensure proper operation Uses varied hand and power tools in maintaining systems/equipment and making minor repairs or adjustments. The incumbent learns system/equipment repairs or adjustments noting technical difficulties in system/equipment operations. The incumbent assists in work that involves installing, recognizing the problem or cause of faulty equipment, and making repairs on a variety of electric and gas hot water boilers and their compressors, condensers, coils, fans, electrical/air operated control systems. The incumbent assists in performing the installation, modifications, and repairs to high temperature-high pressure piping systems and equipment such as hot water systems, steam heating systems and equipment, electric and gas hot water boilers, condensate lines, heating coils, radiators, and convectors, steam traps, valves, water softening equipment, and other related components. The incumbent assists in the inspecting, adjusting, and repair of all boiler controls safety devices, instrumentation, and flow meters. Incumbent learns the use of tools such as manometers, multi-meters, combustion analyzers, test gauges, infrared thermometers, and dead-weight testers. Measures/treats boiler water with chemicals to control corrosion or scale. Responsible for developing a good working knowledge of the Department of Veterans Affairs boiler safety directive 1810 and other applicable VA policies and procedures. Uses working knowledge of the National Plumbing Code and United Buildings Code governing the pipe fitting and plumbing duties. Working knowledge of how various high temperature/pressure piping systems and equipment are installed and operated. Use proper materials and have knowledge of various codes or procedures to complete the jobs in order to layout a job. Calculates treatment requirements, making determination of required chemicals to be added to boilers and de-aerating tank to treat water or control corrosion/scale formation. The incumbent will learn to install, modify, and repair by setting up piping routes and equipment locations, placing and cutting openings in floors, walls, and ceilings that may be constructed of concrete, wood, plaster and metal. Work Schedule: Sunday to Saturday, Rotating Shifts: 8am to 4pm, 4pm to 12am, and 12am to 8am. Position Description Title/PD#: Utility Systems Repairer-Operator Helper (TCF Trainee)/PD806440

Qualifications: To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. TCF is a national workforce development program within VHA that was designed to replenish technical staff in critically identified positions. The TCF career fields represent those technical fields where VA-specific knowledge and experience is desirable for success in the field. Individuals selected follow a formal training plan for 2 years during which they are trained, coached, and supervised by a preceptor. Preceptors are selected annually, through an extensive application process, for their technical expertise, their commitment to training and the suitability of their facility as a training location. *Selectees will be required to sign Mobility, Training, and Continued Service Agreements. 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: Distributed Systems Electronics Fine Arts Shop Aptitude Without more than normal supervision SCREEN OUT: Must have the ability to perform the most difficult and complex in the areas such as automatic/manual gas/oil fired fire tube high pressure boilers and auxiliary equipment sufficient to operate, maintain, test, and repair a complete boiler plant steam generating system; knowledge of water softening systems sufficient to operate and maintain system including conduct of periodic water testing, regeneration, and backwashing; Knowledge of basic operations of station fire alarm control panel equipment and related emergency procedures; Knowledge of boiler water treatment and water sample collecting techniques sufficient to perform chemical tests to determine alkalinity, acidity, or causticity; analyzes results and causticity; Knowledge of functions, operations, and maintenance requirements of a wide variety of flow meters, recorders, charts, meters, gauges, alarms, and signals reflecting steam production, demand, and pressure; fuel use; fuel/air ratio; excess air boiler steam, and water temperatures; boiler water level; make-up demand; and stack gas composition. 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 Effort: Work requires moderate to heavy physical exertion (40 pounds) while lifting, transporting, carrying, pulling, moving, handling, or setting up Ladders, scaffolds, materials, tools, equipment, etc. Repairs, maintenance, and/or observation work requires kneeling, stretching, pushing, pulling, crouching, stooping, bending, climbing, and walking/standing for long periods of time and negotiating confined spaces. Works from ladder, scaffold, platform, ground level, or hard to reach places requiring climbing ladders, reaching over and under while in cramped, awkward, tiring, and/or uncomfortable positions. Uses hand, eye, leg, and body coordination while performing assigned work. Working Conditions: The incumbent works indoors in adequately lighted and ventilated conditions. The BPO is exposed to high ambient temperatures from boilers and equipment noise. Danger of boiler bursts; gas line ruptures; carbon monoxide poisoning; scalds/burns; gas, oil, or sulfur fumes; water treatment test chemicals; and/or hazards of working with large scale combustion processes, steam under high pressure vessels, or moving machinery. Works recurring rotational shift assignments including nights, weekends, and holidays proving continuous 7 day 24-hours coverage.

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 05/11/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12943866. 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.

Application Deadline: 2026-05-11