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Boiler Plant Operator

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
Veterans Health Administration
This job announcement has closed

Summary

The purpose of the position is to perform a wide variety of operational tasks on 2 to 4 high pressure boilers operating on natural gas or fuel oil, and their corresponding ancillary equipment. The work performed includes consistent monitoring, data collection, and required maintenance and repairs when necessary.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
12/10/2024 to 12/31/2024
Salary
$30.16 to - $35.19 per hour
Pay scale & grade
WG 9
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Sheridan, WY
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
CBSU-12634737-25-MG
Control number
823099900

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

ALL US CITIZENS DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.205) for this occupation.

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Duties

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Duties include but are not limited to:

  • Directly responsible for the safe, economical and proper operation of high pressure boilers and their ancillary equipment.
  • Operates boiler plants with capacity of 3,450 to 100,000 pounds total plant steam per hour and assists in the operation and operational maintenance of gas or oil-fired steam boilers, along with the auxiliary equipment, both manual or automatic controls to produce saturated steam.
  • Operates dampers, induced and forced draft fans, heat exchangers, fuel and air heaters, pumps, fuel pressure, control valves, fuel strainers, relief valves, water softeners, and emergency electrical generators and other similar equipment.
  • Regulates the fuel feed and water levels, while maintaining required steam pressure and temperatures.
  • During shutdown periods, works on equipment overhaul and preparation of boilers for inspections.
  • Competent in and performs all maintenance actions germane to the position or as per manufacture documentation.
  • Start/stop boilers, pumps, and related equipment, increase/decrease boiler fires, adjust/activate pressure-reducing valves, adjust fuel and water controls, monitors condensate transfer and boiler feed water pressures and adjusts pressure regulators and add/remove pumps to maintain feed water pressure, monitors flow rates, temperatures, and pressures of water, steam, air, gas, and oil.
  • Checks trending software to ensure proper recording of boiler plant operations.
  • Frequent checks of water levels and steam pressure gauge to assure valves open/close and if water needs to be added or removed or to blow off steam to maintain safe operating levels.
  • Responds within the boiler plant to any boiler plant equipment/systems malfunctions or medical center industrial systems emergencies impacting boiler plant operations and coordinates with non-boiler plant personnel, supervisors, and management regarding boiler plant concerns.
  • Serves as the nights/weekend FMS operator in charge.
  • Answers trouble calls from other services and staff afterhours and on weekends for facility issues across the campus.
  • Uses judgement and reports from other staff to decide when to call in FMS Grounds staff during winter weather, to address roads, sidewalks and stairs.
Work Schedule: Rotating shift work.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Boiler Plant Operator/PD14448A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized
PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not authorized

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
  • To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
  • Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required.
  • You may be required to serve a probationary period
  • Subject to background/security investigation
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
  • Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Required Documents" below for details.
  • Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 12/31/2024.

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:

  • Operation of Equipment / machinery
  • Technical Practices
  • Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair
  • Troubleshooting
  • Interpret Instructions, Specifications ( other than blueprint reading)

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 or hot and dusty areas in and around boilers and equipment. 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, and with assistance, carries items weighing over 40 pounds. Works from ladders, scaffolding, platforms, and elevated catwalks. Work may be at or above ground level. Works inside and outside at heights up to 50 feet. Subject to extreme temperature changes from a +105 to a -40 degrees. Subject to high noise level which requires wearing of hearing protection. Work dirty, greasy, hot, cold and wet. Employee is subject to cuts, bruises, traffic hazards and is exposed to danger from boiler explosion, high temperature water and steam lines, electrical shock, falls, burns, scalds, chemicals, broken bones, explosive chemical, gas and oil fumes. Other Significant Facts: Incumbent must report for work during periods of hazardous road and weather conditions. Work is performed on a 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days per year basis. Incumbent could be subjected to hazards normally encountered in the trade. This position requires working rotating shifts and overtime

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Education

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.


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. 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."

Receiving Service Credit or 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.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

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 qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following Competencies for this position:

  • Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair
  • Interpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading)
  • Operation of Equipment/Machinery
  • Technical Practices
  • Troubleshooting
  • Without more than normal supervision


USA Hire Assessments include a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment.

Your experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. 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. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

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.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

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