Clarification from the agency

ALL US CITIZENS DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.201) for this occupation.

Major Duties include but are not limited to:

• Operates three boilers with a capacity of 10,000 pounds of steam per hour per boiler.
• Monitor's and records hourly readings on three boilers fired on natural gas and # 2 diesel fuel power boilers and auxiliary equipment with manual or automatic controls to produce saturated steam.
• Lights off, operates, secures, and maintains three boilers and associated auxiliary and pollution control equipment, heat exchangers, pumps, fuel pressure, control valves, fuel strainers, relief valves, water softeners, and other similar equipment.
• Regulates fuel feed and water levels and maintains required steam pressure and temperatures.
• Replenishes chemical feed tanks and monitor make up feed water conditioning equipment to control or remove impurities and entrapped gases.
• The boiler operator conducts chemical testing daily on the boilers and makes the required adjustment to maintain the boilers and condensate in chemical range.
• Operates the boiler plants three 10,000 pounds of steam per hour boilers fired with natural gas and # 2 diesel to produce steam required to meet challenging load demands.
• The operators maintain efficient combustion levels and ensure compliance with air pollution laws and regulations.
• The operators use Fireye control system, gauges, and computer generated data and graphics to determine adjustments or corrections necessary for proper boiler operations or changing load requirements.
• The operator must achieve maximum combustion efficiency with changing load demands or variations in fuel quality.
• Operates emergency electrical generators to meet plant electrical requirements when the main electrical source is unable to provide the necessary power.
• Responds to Fire and Medical gas alarms, dispatches appropriate emergency responders.
• The Boiler Plant Operator will conduct semi-annual safety device testing to the boilers and associated equipment in accordance to the VHA Directive 2008-062.
• Works using independent judgment and decisions in performing boiler plant operations and maintenance work.
• The boiler plant operator prepares the boiler for annual inspections, boiler tuning to verify proper boiler emissions.
• The Operator will perform refractory repair identified by the boiler inspection including throat tile, refractory surfaces and internal baffles.
• The Boiler Operator performs other maintenance and repairs including all preventive maintenance to all boilers, DA tank, pumps and valves.
• Replace mechanical seals and packing to pumps and valves.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Training 7:00 am - 3:00 pm Monday - Friday, then hours will vary 24/7 including weekend and holidays
Position Description Title/PD#: Boiler Plant Operator/PD30405A
Recruitment \ Relocation Incentive: May be authorized to highly qualified candidate. In the announcement.
Physical Requirements: 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, and with assistance, carries items weighing over 40 pounds. 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.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
• Subject to a background/suitability investigation
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Pre-employment physical required
• 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.

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. 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 ability to do the work of an a Boiler Plant Operator without more than normal supervision. Related experience includes operating three, low-pressure fire tube boilers while protecting property, equipment and systems from damage and preventing the loss of human life. Responsible for maintaining an accurate and complete log of conditions and events. Operator uses electronic and pneumatic controls, charts, recorders, meters, gauges, and computer-generated data to determine adjustments or corrections necessary for proper boiler operations or changing load requirements. Operator maintains and analyzes the boiler water treatment program. Operator makes independent decisions and judgments regarding troubleshooting techniques, and modification and repair procedures. Incumbent uses tools such as manometers, multi-meters, combustion analyzer, test gauges, infrared thermometers, and dead-weight testers. Operator is required to do the majority of steam fitting, plumbing, painting, and housekeeping duties in the boiler plant. Is also required to perform minor electrical troubleshooting and repairs. Note: 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.

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:

• Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (Other Than Blueprint Reading)
• Dexterity and Safety
• Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair
• 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.

How you will be evaluated

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

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Applicants will be referred in the order in which they were received.