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BOILER PLANT OPERATOR

Department of the Army
Army Tank-Automotive and Armament Command (TACOM)
Watervliet Arsenal, Installation Management Division, Public Works Division

Summary

About the Position: The Watervliet Arsenal is an Army owned & operated manufacturing center located in NY. It is the oldest, continuously active arsenal in the United States having begun operations in 1813. Today it is relied upon by U.S. and foreign militaries to produce the most advanced, high-powered weaponry for cannon, howitzer, and mortar systems. The Arsenal is the only location in the DoD that has a weapons research facility (Benét Labs) collocated with a manufacturing facility.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
02/17/2026 to 02/20/2026
Salary
$32.14 to - $37.62 per hour
Pay scale & grade
WG 10
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Watervliet, NY
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel 5% for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
MCGM-26-12889039-MP
Control number
857731500

Duties

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  • Operates a variety of auxiliary equipment such as pumps, water heaters, and fans.
  • Maintains constant observation of flowmeters and charts to monitor steam production and fuel consumption.
  • Performs various operational repairs and preventive maintenance on boilers and associated equipment.
  • Collects and tests water samples from feed water, boiler water, condensate and determines the appropriate chemical treatment to control corrosion, remove impurities, and stabilize water conditions.
  • Maintains required safety equipment, records, logs, and other plant data in accordance with established procedures.
  • Utilizes safety practices, rules, and regulations to maintain a safe and clean work environment.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
  • You may be required to serve a one year probationary/trial period
  • This position has physical requirements which require the incumbent to complete a favorable pre-employment physical.
  • This position requires the employee to possess the applicable license(s) or authorizations(s) to operate assigned equipment.
  • This position involves duties that are subject to the Resource Conservation Recovery Act (RCRA) regulations regarding hazardous waste.
  • This position requires employee to attain certification in accordance with he Watervliet Arsenal operator certification requirements (dtd 11 Feb 95), within two years of incumbency.
  • Applicants must be able to lift and carry very heavy objects weighing in excess of 40 pounds.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: Only applicants who meet one of the employment authority categories below are eligible to apply for this job. You will be asked to identify which category or categories you meet, and to provide documents which prove you meet the category or categories you selected. See Proof of Eligibility for an extensive list of document requirements for all employment authorities.

  • Current Department of Army Civilian Employees
  • Domestic Defense Industrial Base/Major Range and Test Facilities Base Civilian Personnel Workforce
  • Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan
  • Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act
  • Military Spouses, under Executive Order (E.O.) 13473
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD MR and NG Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability Retirement
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Preference Eligible
  • Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) of 1998


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; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

There is no specific length of training or experience required. However, you must be able to demonstrate, through experience shown in your written application materials that you possess the sufficient knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the work of this position without more than normal supervision.

Minimum Qualifications (Screen Out Element): Ability to do the work of an BOILER PLANT OPERATOR without more than normal supervision.

SCREEN-OUT ELEMENT FOR THE WG-10 LEVEL: Applicants must meet the screen out element to be considered further. The work of the position normally includes: Operating a variety of auxiliary equipment, including pumps, water heaters, fans, and de-aerating equipment; Performing various operational repairs and preventive maintenance on boilers and auxiliary equipment; Collecting and testing water samples using standard chemical tests to determine the appropriate treatment needed to control corrosion and chemical concentrations; Utilizing safety practices, rules, and procedures to maintain a safe and clean work environment; Using and maintaining various hand and power tools. - Failure to meet this Screen Out Element will
result in an ineligible rating.

You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency (knowledge, skills, ability) in the following areas:

  • Ability To Do The Work Of The position Without More Than Normal Supervision
  • Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specification, etc.
  • Dexterity and Safety
  • Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair, etc.
  • Operation of Job Family Specify Equipment, Machinery, etc.
  • Technical Practices (theoretical, precise, artistic)
  • Use of Measuring Instruments
  • PHYSICAL EFFORT: Frequently works in confined areas in and around boilers and support equipment, i.e., auxiliary and pollution control equipment. Work requires moderate to strenuous physical effort and long periods of walking, standing, climbing, bending, and crouching. Frequently lifts and carries boiler parts and chemical supplies weighing up to 40 pounds unassisted and occasionally items weighing over 40 pounds with assistance of other workers or weight handling equipment.
  • WORKING EFFORT: Employee normally works indoors. Occasionally works outside for short periods. When working outside is subject to prevailing weather conditions and works on catwalks and ladders. Employee is subject to high temperatures, constant noise, rotating machinery, soot, dirt, grease, chemicals, oil, and fumes in the work area. Subject to cuts and abrasions from use of tools and equipment and burns from acids, caustics, hot water, steam, and contact with pipes and boilers.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

  • Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
  • You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
  • One year trial/probationary period may be required.
  • Direct deposit of pay is required.
  • This is a(n) 18 Engineers and Scientists (Resources and Construction) Career Field position.
  • Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
  • If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
  • Permanent Change of Station (PCS) allowances may be authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations and an agency determination that a PCS move is in the Government Interest.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

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

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position.

You may claim Military Spouse preference.

You may claim Priority Placement Program (PPP) preference.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). If you are a Federal employee in the competitive service and your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority for this position. To receive selection priority, you must: (1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria (2) be rated well-qualified for the position and; (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. To be considered well-qualified and receive selection priority applicants must satisfy all qualification requirements for the position and receive a score of 90 or above. Additional information about the program is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website.

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