Boiler Plant Operator

Summary This position of Boiler Plant Operator is in the Maintenance and Operations (M&O) Section of the Facilities Management Service at VA Connecticut Healthcare System and is under the direct supervision of the Utilities Systems Supervisor. This position is full time at 40 hours per week. 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: Dexterity and Safety Equipment Assembly - Installation - Repair Interpret Instructions - Specifications (other than blueprint reading) 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. Duties The incumbent is responsible for the safe and efficient operation - repairs - lubrication - and adjustment of the Boiler Plant equipmentThe equipment maintained and operated consists of three water tube high pressure steam boilers in the central heating plantIn addition - the Boiler Plant has hot water generators and pumps that generate and circulate hot water for domestic usea heating system for Buildings 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7and a pumping system for pumping city water to the receiving tanksThe incumbent is responsible for the operation and maintenance of this equipment while on duty - The three oil/gas fire boilers are rated at 31 -000 lbssteam per hour and are automatically controlled by I combustion equipment - which consists of air fuel ratio controls - inlet and outlet controlsIn addition to the above responsibilities - the incumbent will also be required to: Monitor and operate the air conditioning plantOperate the Boiler Plant in a safe and economical manner to provide a continuous supply of steam to the stationand adjust combustion controls - and other controls when necessaryMaintain log sheets by gathering operating data such as feedwater temperature boiler pressureMake regular water tests and treats boiler feedwater with chemicals as requiredPerform preventive maintenance such as lubrication - adjustment - minor parts replacement - and necessary minor repairs designed to keep plant and equipment in good operating conditionPerform general maintenance such as lubrication - adjustment - minor parts replacement - and necessary minor repairs designed to keep plant and equipment in good operating conditionPerform other duties as assigned: miscellaneous painting of equipment and utility lines - general cleaning of the boilers - equipment - utility lines - general areas - etcMonitors and place request - to the Utility Systems Supervisor - for fuel oil as needed during the heating seasonIncumbent has direct contact with vendors for all materials - supplies and fuels required to maintain the Boiler Plantand as required - will initiate requests to the Utilities Systems SupervisorOn occasion - shift coverage is such that two boiler plant operators are on the day shiftWhen required - one Boiler Plant operator will be detailed to the HVAC Shop or Mechanical Maintenance Shop for maintenance and repair work throughout the facilityMaintains and updates preventive maintenance procedure and inspections on a recurring basis for all equipment related to the Boiler Plant per VHA Directive 2003-050When required on other than normal working hours of Facilities Management Service (FMS) staff - the incumbent will receive emergency calls and will dispatch them to appropriate individuals as instructed by the Chief of FMS and outlined in FMS emergency call back proceduresWork Schedule: Various Shifts Position Description Title/PD#: Boiler Plant Operator/PD03075A Physical Requirements: Incumbent must be physically able to do a considerable amount of walking - standing - climbing ladders and stairs - crawling inside of tight spaces such as boilers - and heavy liftingMust be able to work in bent - prone or crouched positionsmust have good or corrected eye sight for observing water columns and gaugesmust have good hearing for detecting noises that would indicate trouble with boilers - A/C chiller and auxiliary equipmentNOTE: This is a Bargaining Unit PositionThis Position is in the Competitive ServiceCurrent and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50 - (Notice of Personnel Action)The SF-50 must identify the position title - series - grade - step - tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted)In some cases - more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously heldVeterans' Preference in hiring does not apply when selecting individuals under VA's Direct Hire AuthorityWhen hiring under Direct Hire Authority - the law allows selecting officials to hire applicants without regard to 5 U.S.C. 3309-3318 - which eliminates the requirement for applying Veterans' preferenceVA HR Offices may assess and select any qualified applicant in the order applicants are received.