Summary The Finger Lakes Healthcare System has 1 vacancy for a Boiler Plant Operator at the Canandaigua VA Medical Center in the Engineering Service. Incumbent is assigned to the operations, maintenance, and repair of a state-of-the-art combination natural gas/fuel oil/biomass steam generation plant with electrical cogeneration, and reverse osmosis and water softening plant where steam is generated for heat, sterilization, cooling and heating of hot water. Responsibilities Major duties include but are not limited to: Independently lights off (ignites), operates, secures, and maintains power to boilers, associated auxiliary and pollution control equipment without other higher graded operators present to ensure continuous supply of steam to the medical center, using proper procedures to inspect, operate, and maintain the steam distribution system throughout the boiler plant; and maintain production of steam. Responsible for the operation and maintenance of all boiler plant equipment and maintains constant observation of all auxiliary equipment such as pumps, sump pumps, fans, chemical treatment feeders, condensate return equipment and soft water systems. Makes decisions on @type of fuel to use to maintain efficiency of operation. Plant operators are required to work alone and are placed in charge of a complete utility's generation plant. Maintains daily log sheets and operates, checks, and performs preventive maintenance on three (3) natural gas/fuel oil boilers at 724 HP ea. And two (2) biomass boilers of 289 HP ea. and a water softening system, as well as a RO system. Multi-fuel operation requiring pollution control equipment and attendant decision-making requirements adds to the complexity. May decide to shut down a malfunctioning boiler or other equipment and fire up another boiler or attempt to bypass the trouble until the problem can be fixed. Responsibility to determine what work must be done to correct the malfunction and has the authority to approve overtime or to call in off-duty maintenance personnel. Maintenance of utilities to the facility is a critical function. Performs maintenance and repairs of the medical center complex station wide on assigned shift. When Operators support medical center maintenance and repairs, they must determine if appropriate plumbing, electrical, air conditioning, medical equipment repair, construction/maintenance, mechanical and general maintenance can be made based upon the knowledge and skills of the Operator. In support of the biomass portion of the plant, incumbent will be required to supervise wood chip unloading and inspect, adjust, and repair storage facilities and material handling conveyors, ash disposal mechanisms, and electrostatic precipitators for pollution control. Operator on shift will test and analyze boiler water for; hardness, alkalinity, phosphate, dissolved solids, sulfite, neutralizing amine, PH and other required testing. Operator is continuously responsible for checking the power control panels and instrumentation panels which record the operation of the boilers, steam flow, oxygen, furnace, low water control, burner controls, fuel selection, purge, ignition, shift alarms tests, low water, etc. and for making necessary adjustments based upon their knowledge and properly documenting those changes. The incumbent will operate all equipment in a manner that is safe and meets operating requirements for efficient operations. Maintains a work site that is clean, neat, and painted to meet good housekeeping practices. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm (subject to change due to position coverage) Position Description Title/PD#: Boiler Plant Operator/PD07820A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: A relocation/recruitment incentive may be available for highly qualified applicants. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job Subject to a background/suitability investigation Designated and/or random drug testing may be required Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 A complete application package; including Resume, Transcripts, etc. is required Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. 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 , your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. 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: Ability to Do the Work of the Position without More Than Normal Supervision Dexterity and Safety Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading) Measuring Instruments Operation of Equipment/Machinery 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: Operator is required to work from ladders, scaffolding, platforms, and elevated catwalks. Work requires standing, reaching, bending, climbing, lifting and stooping as the work site dictates. Work may be at or above ground level. Lifting, carrying and handling material up to 100 lb. (unassisted if on shift alone) may be required. Operators frequently work in confined areas in and around boilers and support equipment. Working Conditions: Work is performed both inside and outside in all kinds of weather. Inside conditions may be hot and noisy. Operator is exposed to possible scalds, gas, oil or sulfuric fumes, chemical poisoning, acid burns, cuts, burns, bruises, and broken bones which may result from accidents while working around machinery and equipment. Due to the equipment involved and the operator working alone, the operator must be alert at all times. Must wear the prescribed uniform at all times, as well as prescribed safety clothing and equipment. Must adhere to required personal protective equipment (PPE) for protection against hazards such as electrical voltage, fumes, mists, airborne contaminants, chemical, or aerosol exposure. Education There is no education requirement for this position. 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.
