Videos

• Training in operations of both the boiler plant and wastewater treatment plant: how to prepare the boiler for inspections and safety testing, the process of switching over from one fuel source to another (gas to oil), how to re-start the plant from a loss of power, the proper steps in switching softeners and regeneration of softener, lock out tag out procedures associated with plant operations, testing of boiler water and condensate return water, and the proper procedures of sounding fuel oil tanks and sounding alarms;
• Starting, securing, regulating, stopping, and performing routine operator maintenance on the boiler and other equipment;
• Making regular rounds of areas where machinery and equipment are located to take an record readings from draft and temperature gauges and meters, PCC 3 controllers, and steam flow transmitters;
• Performing testing to determine such things as sedimentary characteristics and flow rates, adjustments for pH, and the proper amounts of chemicals to add to precipitate heavy metals;
• Learning the process to take down a primary or secondary settling tank, the proper way of entering information into the daily log and recording the results of readings in standardized reports designed to meet state and Federal regulations, and how to operate the carter sludge pump and perform routine maintenance on it;
• Modifying the content of water using chemical and filtration systems and maintaining the therapeutic pool as needed by testing the pool water for proper PH and chlorine levels, adding acid if needed, back-flushing sand filters, adding make up water to pool, and taking readings of water temperature and air temperature;
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Pre-employment physical required
• Subject to background/security investigation
• 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)

Qualifications

Physical Effort: Works is frequently performed in confined areas in and around boilers and support equipment, and on catwalks and ladders. The work requires moderate to strenuous effort and long periods of walking, standing (including on concrete floors), climbing (including ladders), bending, and crouching. The employee shall frequently lift and carry boiler parts and chemical supplies weighing up to (50 pounds) unassisted and occasionally items weighing over (50 pounds) with assistance of other workers or weight handling equipment. Moderate physical effort is necessary to turn valves and controls.

Working Conditions: Work is performed indoors and/or outdoors, and the employee is subject to prevailing weather conditions. Workers are subject to high temperatures, constant noise, rotating machinery, soot, dirt, grease, chemicals, oil, and fumes in the work area, and is subject to cuts and abrasions from the use of tools and equipment, and burns from acids, caustics, hot water, steam, and contact with piping and boilers. The employee is required to follow prescribed safety practices and use safety equipment such as face shields, gloves, hard-toe shoes, respirators, and protective clothing. Some of these safety items may be uncomfortable to wear and may be worn or used for long periods.

Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Federal Wage System Qualifications. For this position, the job element method is used to match what you, the applicant, can do against what the work calls for. Your knowledge, skills and abilities will be compared to the knowledge, skills and abilities (called job elements) needed for success. Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element (WG-2 and higher only; screen-outs are not applicable to WG-1). Applicants who appear to meet the screen out element are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated from consideration. The potential eligibles are rated against the remainder of the job elements. While a specific length of training and experience is not required, your responses to the questionnaire must be supported by detailed descriptions of your experience on your resume.

You will be rated on the following Job Elements as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position:

• 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

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. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s).

Your responses to the assessment questionnaire will be reviewed along with the information provided in your resume and supporting documentation to determine if you are qualified for the position. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your rating may be lowered and/or you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

Candidates who apply under All U.S. Citizens announcements will be rated and ranked using Category Rating procedures. Qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category. The categories are defined as follows:

• Best qualified - applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are highly proficient in all requirements of the job and can perform effectively in the position;
• Well qualified - applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in some, but not all, of the requirements of the job; and
• Qualified - applicants possessing experience and/or education that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors.