Summary The incumbent serves as a journeyman Boiler Plant Operator performing tasks involved in the operation and maintenance of heating and service equipment serving the medical center. This position is located at the Kerrville VA Medical Center, 3600 Memorial Boulevard, Kerrville, TX 78028-5768 Responsibilities Major Duties: Operates and maintains three gas/oil fired thermal heating systems, total capacity 8,400 pounds of steam per hour for each unit, three (3) boiler feed-water pumps, three (3) condensate transfer pumps and associated auxiliary equipment. Incumbent starts, stops, and regulates the thermal heating system and associated equipment as load demands. Operating all controls of the boiler plant in both automatic and manual modes of operation, as the situation requires. Operates and performs minor repairs on control systems such as METASYS, Stafae and various metering systems. General knowledge of control wiring and electrical wiring and associated systems. Perform repairs on pump motors which require wiring and unwiring of the motors. Hourly records readings in accordance with policies and procedures. The ability to complete their duties in a timely manner, without mistakes, with little or no supervision. Maintain the Boiler Plant Logbook and records and providing proper shift turnover to oncoming operator. Operates and maintains public water system to the standard of TCEQ for well water operation. This includes chlorine treatment and residual testing. Incumbent is to follow all safety procedures to accomplish these tasks. Daily analyzes and records results of tests on water samples and chemically treats boiler, feed water, condensate water systems to maintain proper treatment levels. Performs routine scheduled preventive maintenance and maintains records of scheduled operations. Performs repairs, such as replacing mechanical seals, bearings, valves, pipefittings, and motors. Repairing insulation, re-packing valves and piping is also required along with various other duties. Monitors and communicates with appropriate persons per medical center policy concerning station fire alarms, disaster notification and medical gas alarm systems. Assists with annual boiler inspections, including cleaning and repairs as necessary. Ability to read and decipher various blue prints, drawings, schematics, piping plans, etc. Performs other duties as assigned as they relate to the overall mission of the service and the work of the station. Ensure that all boilers and associated equipment are operational IAW manufacturer recommendations and VA Boiler Plant Operation Polices. Work Schedule: Midnight - 8:00 a.m., 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m. - midnight Position Description Title/PD#: Boiler Plant Operator/PD00772A Physical Requirements: Regular walking tours of the plant to conduct inspections of equipment which include some lifting, kneeling, standing, climbing and stooping. Repairs occasionally require working in awkward and cramped positions and lifting up to fifty (50) pounds. 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: Dexterity and Safety Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes 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.
