Federal
Utility Systems Operator
Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers · Department of Homeland Security
About This Position
"The Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC), through strategic partnerships, prepares the federal law enforcement community to safeguard America's people, property, and institutions." We are a unique inter-agency organization preparing the next generation of law enforcement officers to meet our Nation's most pressing security challenges." Click here to learn more. This position will be open continuous. The pull of applications will happen on December 19th, 2025, Jan 20th, Feb 20 2026.
Qualifications
A resume must be no more than two pages. If an applicant's resume exceeds two pages, the USAJOBS database will not allow the application to be submitted. For additional assistance, please visit: USAJOBS Help Center - Update your resume now so it meets new resume requirements This position will be open continuous. The pull of applications will happen on December 18th, 2025. The second pull of applications will be January 20, 2026. The third pull will be February 20th, 2026. Applications will be reviewed as submitted and there is no need to reapply when you receive application notifications. All requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement. While there is no minimum amount of training or experience required, the applicant must have had experience, military or civilian, paid or unpaid, of sufficient scope and quality to perform the duties of a Utility Systems Operator, WG-5406-11. The applicant must have experience in operating and performing regular monitoring, general maintenance and "as-needed" repair to a wide range of boilers. The applicant will need extensive experience operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting large, complex heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, chillers, and chilled water systems, including centrifugal and reciprocating refrigeration machines. Applicant's responsibilities must included monitoring gauges, thermometers, and flowmeters to ensure proper operation, maintaining oil pressures and temperatures within operational limits, and performing preventive maintenance tasks such as changing filters, replacing worn belts, lubricating bearings, and repacking valves on hot and chilled water circulating systems. Applicants have experience consistently documenting operational data and taking corrective actions when malfunctions are indicated by alarms or gauges. Your resume must detail your experience. 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, religious, 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. Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, the FLETC requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully pass a background investigation for Suitability/Fitness as a condition of placement in this Non-Sensitive, Moderate Risk position. This review may include financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs. Physical Demands: The position requires working in positions such as kneeling, stooping, bending, and crouching. Occasionally works in cramped or awkward positions. Frequent standing and walking is required while checking equipment. Lifting, carrying, and moving of heavy objects is required. Occasionally lifts objects weighing over 50 pounds. Work Environment: Required to work in disagreeable conditions, both inside and outside, with a major portion of work being done indoors in high temperatures. The work is usually dirty, dusty and greasy. The position may be exposed to dangers such as electrical shock, explosions, carbon monoxide poison, scalds, burns, gas and oil or Sulphur fumes. Cuts, bruises and broken bones may result from accidents while working around machinery and equipment. Required to operate government vehicles to travel between work sites. This position is deemed Emergency Essential in accordance with FLETC Directive 70-90.F, Hurricane Response Plan dated August 19, 2019. Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office. Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not ICTAP eligible. View information about ICTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered eligible under ICTAP, you must be rated at a minimum score of 85 for this position. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this job announcement.
Major Duties
Serving as a Utility Systems Operator WG-5406-11 makes you a valuable member of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) team and mission. This position is located in the Facilities Operations Branch within the Facilities Management Branch within Mission and Readiness Support Directorate located in Glynco, Georgia. The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a Utility Systems Operator responsible the operating and performing regular monitoring, general maintenance and "as-needed" repair to a wide range of boilers. These boilers are equipped with dual natural gas/oil burners, gas/oil handling equipment, flame and combustion control, flow meter, CO2 meters and draft gauges. Operators must be familiar with drawings and circuit diagrams of the boiler plants, air conditioning plants, and auxiliary equipment in order to quickly locate defects in the system. The position also operates an energy management control system (EMCS) which controls large complex air conditioning systems used for climatic controlling of various buildings around the Center. Typical duties include: Operating large complex heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems and chillers/chill water systems comprised of centrifugal and reciprocating types of refrigeration machines, which include various components such as circulating pumps, heat exchanges, large air handling units, and cooling towers Monitoring gauges and thermometers to ascertain that water is supplied to the condenser of the refrigeration machines, checks for proper flow of water to oil coolers, ensures that oil pressures and temperatures are within operational limits, makes entries into log sheet at specified intervals, etc. Performing prescribed operation maintenance, inspections and preventive maintenance to equipment such as changing filters in air handlers, replacing of worn "V" belts, lubricating motor and shaft bearings, repacking and lubricating shaft and steam glands of pumps and valves on hot and chilled water circulating systems, tightening loose connections, etc. Analyzing and taking corrective action when malfunctions are indicated by alarms, gauges, etc., while also performing preventive maintenance and operational tests on all building systems as required Maintaining boiler water levels, temperatures and internal pressures within operating parameters; testing boiler safety features for proper operation on each shift, determining the amount of chemicals to be fed into boiler for control of corrosion and scale formation, and repairing minor repairs on the boiler plants to ensure continuity of services to the customer View common definitions of terms found in this announcement: Common Definitions.
Education
Not Applicable
How You Will Be Evaluated
A resume must be no more than two pages. If an applicant's resume exceeds two pages, the USAJOBS database will not allow the application to be submitted. We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. If met, we will use multiple assessments to place you in one of three categories based on your education, training, and experience demonstrating the following competencies: To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process, including the application, Subject Matter Expert Resume Review and Subject Matter Expert Questions and Answer session. Resume review: Subject matter experts (SMEs) will review your resume to determine your technical qualifications for this position based on the required specialized experience. SMEs will review ONLY two (2) pages of your resume, starting at your work experience. SMEs will not review additional information beyond your resume (e.g., links embedded in your resume will not be opened). Applicants passing the resume review will move on to the next phase of the assessment process. Subject matter expert (SME) Question and Answer Session: At this phase, qualified candidates will participate in an SME Q&A to further assess your technical qualifications relative to the required specialized experience. Applicants passing the SME Q&A will be rated and ranked as described below. If you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be placed in one of the following categories: Best-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate high proficiency in all of the critical competencies, including all Selective Placement Factors (SPF), and appropriate Quality Ranking Factors (QRF) as determined by the job analysis. Well-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrates acceptable proficiency in all of the critical competencies, including all SPF's and appropriate QRFs as determined by the job analysis. Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate basic proficiency in most of the critical competencies, including all SPFs and appropriate QRFs as determined by the job analysis. If you are best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview. Preview the job questionnaire https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12821834 If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have overstated your qualifications and/or experience, you may be removed from consideration or your score may be lowered. Veterans: Qualified veterans who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% are listed in the best-qualified category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level, or higher. (This position is not considered scientific/professional.). Other 10-point preference eligibles and veterans with 5-point preference who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements are placed above non-preference eligibles within the category in which they qualify. View information on veterans' preference.
Additional Information
An incentive may be authorized. An incentive is generally a single payment intended to offset some of the relocation costs experienced by the selectee. Permanent Change of Station (PCS) is not authorized. The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR 213.3102(u), and or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps, VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement. Pursuant to Executive Order 12564 and FLETC policy, FLETC is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and, therefore, conducts random and other drug testing of its employees in order to ensure a safe and healthy work environment. Headquarters personnel in safety- or security-sensitive positions are subject to random drug testing and all applicants tentatively selected for employment at FLETC are subject to drug testing resulting in a negative test result. Re-employed annuitants' annual salaries will be reduced by the amount of their retirement annuity and by further cost of living increases. FERS retirees receiving a FERS annuity supplement must also be aware that, like social security benefits, their FERS annuity supplement is subject to an earnings test and may be reduced if the salary earned is more than the social security exempt amount of earnings. Additional information is available on OPM's website or by contacting OPM. If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration of Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment. This announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies during the next 90 days. This could result in a few or many vacancies being filled from this announcement. The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Homeland Security and its Components from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to [email protected].
How to Apply
Only resumes up to a total of two pages will be accepted. Applicants with resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. The vacancy questionnaire includes four short, free-response essay questions. This provides an opportunity for you to highlight your dedication to public service for the hiring manager and agency leadership (or designee(s)). While your responses are not required and will not be scored, we encourage you to thoughtfully address each question. Please provide a response of 200 words or less to each question. You will be asked to certify that you are using your own words and did not use a consultant or artificial intelligence (AI) such as a large language model (LLM) like ChatGPT or Copilot. To preview the questionnaire please click the link below: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12821834 To begin your online application, click "Apply Online" to create a USAJOBS account and follow the prompts or log in to your existing account. Your application packet must include a completed assessment questionnaire, a resume, and any applicable and/or required supporting documentation. Please see the "Required Documents" section for additional information. All application materials, including transcripts, must be in English. We strongly encourage you to apply online. If you cannot apply online, you may contact the individual listed in the "Agency Contact Information" section of this job opportunity announcement between the hours of 7:30AM and 4:30PM ET (excluding Federal holidays) prior to the closing date of this announcement to receive assistance. When e-mailing, please include the vacancy announcement number in the subject line. Applications and supporting documentation will not be accepted by mail or email. The address below is for inquiries only. You must submit your resume, your online questionnaire, and any supporting documents by 11:59 PM eastern standard time on the day the announcement closes. It is your responsibility to verify that any information entered or uploaded is received and is accurate. Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application. Determining your eligibility and qualifications is dependent on the supporting documentation and information provided, which may impact your referral for further consideration. If a document is not legible, you will not be able to view it in your application. To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. 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. Applicants must submit all required documentation to properly qualify for this position.
Required Documents
Your resume (click the link for information on what to include). If you are a current or former Federal employee, your resume must indicate the GS or pay band level for each position held. Limit your resume to no more than two pages. The USAJOBS database will not allow an applicant to submit an application that includes a resume over two pages. Your responses to the job questionnaire. https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12821834 Are you a veteran? You must provide acceptable documentation of your preference or appointment eligibility. The member 4 copy of your DD214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," is preferable. If claiming 10 point preference, you will need to submit a Standard Form (SF-15), "Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference." If applying based on eligibility under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the Armed Forces that you will be discharged or released from active duty within 120 days from the date on the certification. This must indicate your dates of service, your rank, and confirm that you will be separated under honorable conditions. View more veterans' information. Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP)? Submit the following: A copy of your agency notice, A copy of your most recent performance rating, and A copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, noting your current position, grade level, and duty location. Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee? Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment: Position title, Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee), Agency, Beginning and ending dates of appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for the Utility Systems Operator position at Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers?
The salary range for this position is $32 - $37/hr. This is a WG-11 position on the General Schedule pay scale. Actual pay may vary based on locality adjustments.
Where is the Utility Systems Operator job located?
This position is located in Glynco, Georgia. This is an on-site position.
What qualifications do I need?
A resume must be no more than two pages. If an applicant's resume exceeds two pages, the USAJOBS database will not allow the application to be submitted. For additional assistance, please visit: USAJOBS Help Center - Update your resume now so it meets new resume requirements This position will be open continuous. The pull of applications will ha...
How do I apply for this position?
Apply through USAJobs.gov by clicking the 'Apply on USAJobs' button. You'll need a USAJobs account, a federal-style resume, and supporting documents. The deadline is Mar 6, 2026.
Is a security clearance required?
No security clearance is required for this position.
What does WG-11 mean?
WG-11 refers to the General Schedule grade level. Higher grades require more experience and offer higher pay. Visit our GS Pay Scale page for full salary tables by grade and locality.
What benefits do federal employees receive?
Federal employees receive comprehensive benefits including health insurance (FEHB), retirement through FERS, Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with government matching, paid annual and sick leave, paid parental leave, life insurance, and student loan repayment programs.