Summary The incumbent serves as Boiler Plant Operator within the Maintenance and Utilities Section, Maintenance and Operations Division of Engineering Service performing a variety of tasks in the performance of Boiler Plant operations in support of the mission and goals of the Medical Center. The operator must maintain a constant observation over the controls, gauges, and charts to make necessary adjustments for proper fuel and airflow to maintain system pressure. Responsibilities Major duties listed but not limited to: Tests, adjusts, maintains, replaces, and repairs Boiler Safety Devices such as flame safeguard systems, pressure switches, pressure differential switches, limit switches, timers, water column safety devices, electric/electronic probes and sensors, steam safety valves, and automatic and manual fuel valves for the purpose of preventing major pressure vessel failures and/or furnace explosions Visually inspects Boiler settings and refractory linings for signs of deterioration and failure due to heat stress resulting in flue gases escaping into the plant and endangering on-duty personnel Uses electronic, hydraulic, and pneumatic controls, charts, recorders, meters, gauges, and computer-generated data to determine adjustments or correction necessary for proper Boiler Operations or changing load requirements Uses tools such as manometers, multi-meters, combustion analyzers to control pollutants, tests gauges, infrared thermometer, and dead-weight gauge tester to maintain, replace and repair auxiliary equipment Adjusts fuel feeds, volume and velocity of draft and other firebox variables to maintain combustion efficiencies, prevent unexpected shut downs and prevent possible furnace explosions Maintains and analyzes the Boiler Water Treatment program Performs other duties as assigned Work Schedule: Rotating Days and Nights Position Description Title/PD#: Boiler Plant Operator/PD679-7661A Recruitment Incentive: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Telework: Not Available Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 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) Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/01/2024. 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 Qualification Standard Handbook http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/x-118c 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 Operation of Equipment/Machinery Physical Strength and Agility Without more than normal supervision Work Practices 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. Preferred Experience: Boiler operator and maintenance experience. Physical Requirements/ Working Conditions: Physical exertion includes such action as lifting, pushing, pulling carrying objects of varying weights and sizes. Work requires kneeling, stretching, pushing, pulling, crouching, stooping, bending, climbing, walking and standing for long periods on concrete floors and corrugated steel catwalks and confined spaces. Operators work indoors and occasionally work outside for short periods where they are subject to prevailing weather conditions. You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position .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 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. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. 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. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/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/. 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.