Summary The purpose of the position is to perform a wide variety operational tasks on high pressure boilers and their corresponding ancillary equipment. The work performed includes consistent monitoring, data collection, and required maintenance and repairs when necessary. The position is assigned to the Plant Operations section, Maintenance and Operations, Facilities Management Service, in the Department of Veterans Affairs, Cheyenne VA Medical Center. Responsibilities The Boiler Plant Operator (BPO), is 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 14,000 pounds of 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 or superheated steam or high temperature hot water. Lights off, operates, secures, and maintains power boilers and associated auxiliary and pollution control equipment. Operates dampers, induced and forced draft fans, bottom and fly ash removal equipment, heat exchangers, fuel and air heaters, pumps, fuel pressure, control valves, fuel strainers, relief valves, water softeners, and other similar equipment. Regulates the fuel feed and water levels, while maintaining required steam pressure and temperatures. Replenishes chemical feed tanks and monitors feed water conditioning equipment to control or remove impurities and any entrapped gases. Assists in more difficult repairs and maintenance. During shutdown periods, works on equipment overhaul and preparation of boilers for inspections. BPO runs steam boilers fired at high levels by oil or gas boilers and high temperature hot water boilers required to meet challenging load demands. The operator maintains efficient combustion levels and ensures compliance with air pollution laws and regulations. The operator uses electronic, hydraulic, and pneumatic controls, along with zone charts in conjunction with meters, gauges, and computer-generated data to determine adjustments or corrections necessary for proper boiler operations or changing load requirements. Adjusts fuel feeds, the volume and velocity of draft and other fire box variables to achieve maximum combustion efficiency with changing load demands or variations in fuel quality. Uses independent judgment and decisions in performing boiler plant operations and maintenance work as the sole operator on assigned work shift. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Shift Work Position Description Title/PD#: Boiler Plant Operator/PD11737A 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. Working Conditions: 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. Requirements Conditions of Employment 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. 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: Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair Problem Solving Technical Problem Solving 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. Education 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 (TJO). Please visit the Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP), va.gov/EMPLOYEE/docs/The-Fair-Chance-to-Compete-Act.pdf for more information. 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 well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website which can be found at https://www.opm.gov/. 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. 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.