Summary The Boiler Plant Operator position establishes responsibilities and duties of operating a complex steam generation system comprised of three 500 HP multi-fuel high-pressure power boilers with a total installed heat input of 63,000,000 BTU per hour (21,000,000 BTU per hour per boiler) and a total installed steam generating capacity of 51,750 pounds per hour (17,250 pounds per hour per boiler), associated auxiliary equipment and systems, flue gas recirculation systems (FGR) and related controls. Responsibilities Skills and abilities to operate, fire, maintain, test, troubleshoot, repair, replace, or adjust sub-systems or components of a complex steam generation system. Utilizes comprehensive knowledge of the operational phases of high-pressure power boiler operations, maintenance, and repair, including federal codes/regulations, methods, practices, and techniques to oversee the safe and efficient production of high-pressure steam used by medical center facilities and their industrial systems and equipment. Works in concert with other Boiler Plant Operators under the leadership of the Boiler Plant Supervisor and the Lead Boiler Plant Operator. Boiler Plant Operator will start/stop baiters, pumps, and related equipment; increase/decrease boiler fires, adjust/activate pressure-reducing valves, adjust fuel and water controls, monitors condensate transfer and boiler feed water pressures and adjusts pressure regulators and add/remove pumps to maintain feed water pressure, monitors flow rates, temperatures, and pressures of water, steam, air, gas, and oil. Checks trending software to ensure proper recording of boiler plant operations. Frequently checks water levels and steam pressure gauge to assure valves open/close and if water needs to be added or removed or to blow off steam to maintain safe operating levels. Responds within the boiler plant to any boiler plant equipment/systems malfunctions or medical center industrial systems emergencies impacting boiler plant operations and coordinates with non-boiler plant personnel, supervisors, and management regarding boiler plant concerns. Responsible for ensuring operational capability, the Boiler Plant Operator operates, inspects, monitors, tests, evaluates, interprets, and troubleshoots complex boiler plant systems, subsystems, components, and devices using a variety of test and diagnostic instruments, specifications, manufacturer publications, drawings, diagrams, schematics, etc. to quickly locate operational deficiencies, malfunctions, and areas of substandard performance, interprets results of these actions and determines appropriate action required to maintain safe and adequate steam production. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm Position Description Title/PD#: Boiler Plant Operator/PD14151A Physical Requirements: Work requires moderate to heavy physical exertion (10-80 pounds) while lifting, transporting, carrying, pulling, moving, handling, or setting up ladders, scaffolds, materials, chemicals, tools, equipment, etc. Repairs, maintenance, or observation work requires kneeling, stretching, pushing, pulling, crouching, stooping, bending, climbing, and walking/standing for long periods and when accessing confined spaces such as Morrison tubes and condensate return and deaerator tanks through limited access manways. Incumbent works from ladders, scaffolds, platforms, ground level, or in 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. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. 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: Dexterity and Safety Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair Interpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading) Measuring Instruments Operation of Equipment/Machinery Technical Practices Without more than normal supervision 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. Education Additional Information Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer (TJO). Please visit the Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP), va.gov/EMPLOYEE/docs/The-Fair-Chance-to-Compete-Act.pdf for more information. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website which can be found at https://www.opm.gov/. Receiving Service Credit for 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. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. 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. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period, during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period or trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
