Duties

The Boiler Plant Operator is accountable to the Utility Systems Repairer Operator Foreman, and must rely on their experience, skill, and comprehensive knowledge of boiler plant operations for maintaining the safe, continuous, and efficient operations of the boiler plant. The major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Maintains the safe, continuous, and efficient operations of the boiler plant.
• Operates boiler plants with a capacity of over 100,000 pounds/hour.
• Maintains plants utilizing natural gas as the primary fuel, with No. 2 fuel oil providing backup.
• Operates boiler components to include steam distribution and condensation return systems, chemical feed pumps, condensation pumps, fuel pumps, air pollution devices, and oil storage systems.
• Ignites propane pilot light and operates, secures, and maintains power boilers and associated auxiliary support equipment.
• Implements and ensures lock out/tag out program is adhered to. Starts and stops boilers or auxiliary equipment as needed.
• Inspects boilers and auxiliary equipment hourly.
• Follows recommended guidelines and chemical guidelines to receive optimal results for condensate, feed water and boiler metallurgy.
• Constantly attends to boilers to maintain efficiency and control of the formation of pollutants.
• Utilizes electronic, hydraulic, and pneumatic controls in conjunction with meters, gauges, and computer-generated data to determine adjustments or corrections necessary for proper boiler operations, or changing load requirements.
• Performs proper safety procedures prior to working on boilers or auxiliary equipment.
• Cleans equipment and performs general housekeeping duties as assigned.
• Assists in repairs to boilers and associated steam production equipment discovered during the performance of PMI, normal operation, or as a result of equipment failure, and prioritizes necessary repairs.

Work Schedule: 8:00AM to 4:00PM, 4:00PM to Mid, and Mid to 8:00AM on a rotating basis
Position Description Title/PD#: Boiler Plant Operator/PD5042-00154-A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Pre-employment physical required
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 01/30/2023.

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:

• Without more than normal supervision
• Dexterity and Safety
• Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair, etc.
• Operation of boiler plant equipment
• Interpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading)

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: Work is frequently performed in confined areas in and around boilers and support equipment, requiring moderate to strenuous effort and long periods of walking, standing, climbing, bending, and crouching. Frequently lifts and carries boiler parts and chemical supplies weighing over 50 pounds with assistance of other workers or weight handling equipment.

Working Conditions: Work is performed indoors and occasionally outside for short periods where incumbent is subjected to prevailing weather conditions. Incumbent is subject to high temperatures, constant noise, rotating machinery, soot, dirt, grease, chemicals, oil, and fumes in the work area. May be subject to cuts and abrasions from the use of tools and equipment and burns from acids, caustics, hot water, steam, and contact with piping and boilers. Work may also be performed on catwalks, ladders, scaffolds, and platforms. The Boiler Plant Operator must be available to work any of three (3), 8-hour shifts scheduled for any five (5) days of the seven (7) day week on a rotating basis, and must be available for call-back to fulfill any emergency needs, or fill in for absent co-workers.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

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/ .

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application .