Summary The Boiler Plant Operator position is located in the Maintenance and Operations Section, TVHS Facilities Management Service - Murfreesboro Campus. The incumbent receives little or no detailed instructions in the performance of assigned tasks. The Boiler Plant Operator is one of a group of operators who operate on an 8-hour shift, twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week and must rotate the different shifts at planned intervals. Responsibilities OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise to care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate care to Veterans? The VA has adopted Core Values and Characteristics that apply universally across the Department. The five Core Values define "who we are," our culture, and how we care for Veterans, their families and other beneficiaries. The Values are Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect and Excellence ("I CARE"). As a VA professional, your opportunities are endless. With many openings in the multiple functions of VA, you will have a wide range of opportunities and leadership positions at your fingertips. The Boiler Plant Operator's position is in the Boiler Plant of the Maintenance and Operations Section, TVHS Facilities Management Service. The Boiler Plant Operator receives little or no detailed instructions in the performance of assigned tasks. The Boiler Plant Operator is one of a group of operators who operate on an 8-hour shift, twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week and must rotate the different shifts at planned intervals. As the Boiler Plant Operator, the incumbent's duties will include, but are not limited to: Incumbent is responsible to obtain and test feedwater, boiler water and condensate using appropriate test procedures. Incumbent is responsible for preparing and adding chemicals to the boiler feed water in order to control chemical concentrations, remove impurities and entrapped gases. The boiler operator must be able to manually bottom-blow the boilers to keep the boilers free of sludge. Incumbent is required to make hourly inspections of all operating equipment and record all findings. Must be alert to pre-alarm and alarm conditions to respond accordingly to prevent damage to systems which serve critical patient care. Adjusts, monitors and repairs steam operated hot water heaters. Required to test and monitor exhaust gases using the absorption or electronic method which gives readings for CO, CO-2 and O-2. Responsible for monitoring the operation of systems such as the central vacuum system, emergency water system, and diesel oil storage tanks. Check and record hourly readings of gauges, thermometers, oil levels on equipment in their work area. Responds to fire emergencies as needed to reset the master fire alarm panels and assist A/C Equipment operators with fire emergencies. Interpret drawing, specifications, schematics, operator and parts manuals. Maintains plant cleanliness which includes painting of equipment and systems as assigned. Work Schedule: Operate on an 8-hour shift, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week and must rotate the different shifts at planned intervals. Position Description Title/PD#: Boiler Plant Operator/PD70934-A Physical Requirements: The duties of this position require physical exertion involving lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying objects of varying weights, sizes and shapes. Physical effort is exerted in walking, running, climbing, crawling, and bending. Strain related to lack of movement such as standing in place, crouching, or stooping for extended periods of time. WORKING CONDITIONS: Incumbent is exposed to heat, restricted ventilation and poor illumination in areas such as equipment rooms. Incumbent is exposed to varying climatic conditions from an office to excessive heat in the boiler plant. Incumbent is exposed to various hazardous materials during performing work assignments. Incumbent is provided protective clothing, equipment and safety devices for his personal protection. The boiler plant and chiller room are above the allowable decibel rating and hearing protection is provided. Hazardous gases are in the work environment during various tasks. Respiratory protection is provided for the incumbent. Incumbent is at risk of high-voltage electric shock; explosions of equipment or cables; injury from falls, burns, bruises and cuts. Incumbent is required to work occasionally outside in inclement weather. 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 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 As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period (OR INSERT "2-year trial 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 INSERT "trial period"), your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. 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.
