Summary This position serves as a Boiler Plant Operator Leader in the Facilities Management Service (FMS) of the VA Central Western Mass (VACWM) located in Leeds MA. The position is under the general supervision of the Electrical & Boiler Shop Supervisor. Responsibilities Major duties and responsibilities include but not limited to: Leading the work section employees in the proper maintenance, repair and operations of the Boiler Plant and its associated machinery & equipment. Responsible to schedule all training for shop employees and to maintain individual training records for assigned employees according to policy and procedures. Working closely with all new installations, in-house projects, boiler inspections and review of project blueprints, inspection of contractor submittals and review of new equipment and material submitted by vendors. Checking inventory of shop supplies and materials to ensure that proper quantity is on hand at all times; ordering needed equipment, parts and supplies to complete repairs; assigning work orders; inspection of equipment, equipment rooms, work areas, cleanliness and safety. Responsible for the safe and efficient operation, minor repair, lubrication and adjustment of all Boiler Plant equipment. Knowledge of installation, modification, maintenance and repair, and troubleshooting of commercial fire tube boilers and Boiler Plant equipment. Performing other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Rotating Shifts Position Description Title/PD#: Boiler Plant Operator Leader/PD022350 Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this jobSelective 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, 04/27/2026. 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: Dexterity and Safety Interpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading) Lead or Supervise 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. Physical Requirements/Working Conditions: The employee must be physically able to do a considerable amount of walking, standing, climbing ladders and stairs, crawling inside of tight spaces such as boilers, and heavy lifting. S/he must be physically able to handle the heat stress generated by Boiler Plant equipment within an enclosed but ventilated environment. Must be able to work in bent, prone or crouched positions; must have good or corrected eye sight for observing water columns and gauges; must have good hearing for detecting noises that would indicate trouble with boilers and auxiliary equipment. Employee performs work inside and outside in dusty, dirty locations at extreme ambient temperatures, in inclement and fair weathers, in confined spaces and noisy environments. Incumbent is exposed to the possibility of cuts, abrasions and bruises. Incumbent works from ladders, scaffolding, platforms and hard-to-reach places. Education This job does not have an education qualification requirement. 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.
