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Job Description

Overview

The Utility Systems Repairer-Operator position is part of the Engineering Service Line at the Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital in Hines, IL. The role involves the installation, repair, troubleshooting, service, and maintenance of various systems at the hospital and associated facilities.

Responsibilities

  • Independently operate, maintain, and repair all HVAC and refrigeration systems throughout the facilities.
  • Perform inspections, preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, and repairs on chillers, air-handling units, pumps, controls, valves, compressors, and related components.
  • Conduct quality-assurance checks, vibration analysis, rounds, and water testing to ensure system performance meets established tolerances.
  • Install and repair ductwork, tubing, and fittings using welding, brazing, soldering, and mechanical assembly methods.
  • Test systems for leaks, evacuate and charge refrigerants properly, and ensure optimal operating conditions using a broad range of mechanical, electrical, and rigging tools.
  • Operate, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair all boiler plant systems, including boilers, pumps, condensate/steam systems, pollution control equipment, and water-softening equipment.
  • Use manual, automatic, and microprocessor controls to adjust and monitor boiler operations for efficiency, safety, and compliance with regulations.
  • Perform chemical water testing and treatment for both chilled and boiler systems.
  • Maintain and repair pneumatic control systems, industrial controls, and auxiliary equipment required for reliable plant operation.
  • Monitor, operate, troubleshoot, and repair fire alarm systems, building automation controls, pneumatic controls, and all emergency power systems including generators.
  • Perform calibration, modification, maintenance, and installation of non-medical electrical and electronic systems.
  • Conduct monthly generator and ATS testing per Joint Commission and NEC requirements.
  • Interpret wiring diagrams, schematics, blueprints, and control drawings to diagnose and correct electrical, mechanical, and engine-generator issues.
  • Maintain electrical distribution systems, ensuring proper voltage, phase, load, regulation, and synchronization.
  • Ensure compliance with CEOSH, Life Safety, OSHA, and environmental standards through regular inspections and coordination with Safety and GEMS staff.
  • Support other Engineering Service functions as required.

Additional Information

  • Training will take place Monday-Friday 7:00am - 3:30pm.
  • Open positions after training are for 3:00pm - 11:30pm Tuesday through Saturday.
  • Multiple fixed tours available for all shifts.
  • Shifts will be discussed at interview.
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How this job compares in Hines, IL

Pay in context

This employer didn't publish a rate. For reference, welding jobs across Illinois currently run a median of $31/hr in our index, with the middle half of them falling between $27–$40/hr across 278 postings with published pay. That median is a reasonable floor to anchor on when a recruiter asks what you're looking for.

The local market in Hines, IL

Hines, IL is a small market in our index: 2 other active welding openings alongside this one, from 2 employers. Across Illinois as a whole we're tracking 368 other active welding openings from 212 employers. With this few local postings, most welders here end up either commuting or looking at travel work. Browse welding jobs across Illinois.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs currently has 1 other opening live in Illinois, which is usually a sign of either steady growth or steady turnover — worth asking which in the interview.

The most active employers in Illinois at the moment, by number of open welding reqs, are Gerber Collision & Glass (18), Staff on Site (13), and Sargent & Lundy (11). Volume like that usually means either a genuine expansion or a staffing agency working several client sites — worth knowing which before you apply.

Within Illinois, the best-paying metros we track by median hourly rate are Downers Grove at $44/hr, Chicago at $38/hr, and Elk Grove Village at $34/hr. If you can relocate or commute, that spread is worth factoring in.

Similar openings near Hines, IL

Pay figures are medians computed from live postings in the Welding Pros index, not from survey data, and they move as employers post. Utility Systems Repairer-Operator figures were last recalculated when this page was built.