Summary This Boiler Plant Operator Supervisor position is in Facilities Management services at the VA Boston Healthcare System in Jamaica Plain, MA campus. This position is full-time at 40 hours per week. Responsibilities Operates Heat Extractor System used to produce tempered water for boiler plant use and reclaimed heat for hospital's fresh air supply. Monitors and responds to the alarms generated by the Energy Management Computer System, which records all sensing devices and their operational status by means of monitoring the environment, equipment operation/breakdown, and signaling pending problems on a 24-hour basis throughout the entire facility. Oversees the operation of system which provides backup to the automatic transmission of fire alarms to the local area fire department plus additional real-time alarms of malfunctions of systems. Performs maintenance and periodic testing including record keeping for an emergency generator with automatic transfer switches, which provides immediate emergency power for critical medical care requirements and the boiler plant. Supervises boiler plant operators to include planning, scheduling, and changing work assignments as necessary to accomplish the work as effectively and efficiently as possible. Defines standards of quality and quantity to be met. Determines material, equipment, and maintenance needs and ensures they are requested in a timely manner to assure uninterrupted flow of critical operations. Coordinates the work of section with other sections as necessary. Provides information and advice to higher-level supervision on budget estimates by preparing budget worksheets. Oversees, analyzes, and maintains operational records of work production, prepares the boiler plant logs and equipment under control and compiles information for central office reports. Establishes deadlines and priorities based on methods and policies established by higher-level supervision and reviews work while in progress or after completion. Promotes the participation of subordinates in the achievement of all management goals. Plans and schedules all training of operating personnel. Drafts position descriptions, performance standards, and routine memorandums as well as specifications for recurring maintenance services. Schedules and approves leave requests, sets performance standards, conducts performance appraisals, counsels employees, resolves informal complaints and grievances, and initiates personnel actions as needed. Interviews and selects employees. Demonstrates familiarity with emergency and safety procedures in order to prevent damage to equipment or accidents to personnel. Operates and maintains high pressure boilers, firing methods and equipment, combustion control systems. Handles auxiliary equipment such as forced draft fans, feed water pumps, valves, regulators. Handles auxiliary equipment such as oil pumps, air compressors, feed water treatment meters, gauges, and recorders. Prevents damage to equipment or accidents to personnel. Demonstrates familiarity with safety procedures. Drafts routine memorandums. Drafts specifications for recurring maintenance services. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 6:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Telework/Remote Work: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description Title/PD#: Supervisory Boiler Plant Operator / PD523-00310-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required Notifications: This position is in the Competitive Service. Selectee required to serve one year supervisory/managerial probationary period. Current and former Federal employees may submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and @type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held. This position is covered by a special rate. The incumbent may be required to travel to other VA Boston Healthcare System campuses and CBOC's. Incomplete applications will not be considered. 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 Subject to background/security investigation Pre-employment physical 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 dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 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 trial 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, 03/05/2026. 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 Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (Other Than Blueprint Reading) Ability to Lead or Supervise Dexterity and Safety Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation, and Repair, etc. Operation of Job Family Specify Equipment, Machinery, etc. Technical Practices (Theoretical, Precise, Artistic) Use of Measuring Instruments 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: Incumbent is subject to frequent standing, walking, kneeling, crawling, and climbing of ladders and scaffolds for inspections. Working Conditions: Incumbent works inside in constant high temperatures for the boilers. The incumbent is exposed to the danger of steam leaks, oil fumes and flue gases. Cuts, bruises, burns, and broken bones may result from accidents while working on equipment. Education Additional Information 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. 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. 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. 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. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
