Summary The Marion, IL VA Medical Center is hiring a Boiler Plant Operator to join the Engineering Service. Responsibilities Duties include but are not limited to the following: Incumbent will, when required by workload, operate, maintain, and repair a boiler plant onsisting of three boilers and associated auxiliary equipment. The Maximum output of steam generated per hour for three fire tube boilers is 10,300 pounds per hour. These boilers are equipped with combustion controls, water and pressure cutouts, feed water controls, etc. Incumbent will check on an hourly basis various temperatures, pressures, recorders and record findings. All recorders, indicators and auxiliary equipment must be checked visually on a continual basis for proper and safe operation. The incumbent must inspect, adjust and repair all boiler controls, safety devices, instruments, flow meters, feed pumps, condensate pumps, recorders, regulators, etc. to ensure safe and efficient plant operation. The incumbent is required to do the majority of steam fitting, plumbing, painting, electrical, etc. for upkeep of the plant. The incumbent keeps equipment clean, calibrated, and greased in accordance with the Planned Maintenance Schedule, as well as maintaining the Plant in a neat and orderly manner. must maintain hourly record sheets and logs on all operations during the shift, including gas and oil usage, steam generated, temperatures, pressures and the Plant Log. makes water analyses to determine proper chemical concentrations and treats equipment accordingly. The Center consists of monitoring utilities, two-way communication equipment and fire alarm systems. Incumbent must be able to program the recorder cubicle for graphic display of temperatures, pressures, humidity, damper position, reset of damper position, control set points, and reset and control indicators, as well as indication of run status of remote equipment, start or stop of remote equipment, indication of mode of system operation, demand scan of remote alarm points, status scan ofremote start-stop points, intercommunication with remote stations and relative humidity of scan points. Mental application is necessary due to complexity of the various systems and equipment. Incumbent must be able to use fast, sound judgment. Work Schedule: 8-hr shift, 24hrs/day 7days/week and rotate shifts Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Not Authorized Position Description Title/PD#: Boiler Plant Operator/PD10510A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized 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 identification 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, 09/25/2026. 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 Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair Interpret Instructions, Specifications (other than 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. Physical Requirements/Working Conditions: Frequently work in confined areas in and around boilers. Requires moderate to strenuous effort and long periods of walking, standing, climbing, bending, and crouching. Frequently lift and carry boiler parts and chemical supplies weighing up to 40 pounds unassisted. Occasionally carries items weighing over 40 pounds (with assistance). Mainly works indoors but occasionally work outside for short periods of time. Subject to high temperatures, constant noise, rotating machinery, soot, dirt, grease, chemicals, oil and fumes. Subject to cuts and abrasions from the use of tools and equipment and burns from acids, caustics, hot water, steam and contact with boilers. Work on catwalks and ladders. 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.
