Boiler Plant Operator

Summary The Phoenix Arizona VA Health Care System (PVAHCS) is recruiting for an experience Boiler Plant Operator within the Facilities Management Service located in Phoenix - AZ. The incumbent in this position is under the supervision of the Maintenance Supervisor and the operator is responsible for the overall operation - maintenance and control of the central boiler plant. The incumbent ensures continuous operation of the Boiler Plant for the health and safety of patients and staff. 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: Ability to Do the Work of the Position without More Than Normal Supervision Ability to Interpret Instructions - Specifications - etc. (Other Than Blueprint Reading) Ability to Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment Dexterity and Safety Knowledge of Equipment Assembly - Installation - and Repair - etc. Operation of Job Family Specify Equipment - Machinery - etc. Technical Practices (Theoretical - Precise - Artistic) 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 30 Day Hiring Model The Department of Veterans Affairs is implementing a streamlined 30-Day Hiring Model designed to accelerate hiring while maintaining the highest standards of merit-based selectionThis improved process reduces traditional hiring timelines by integrating early coordination - faster assessments - and efficient pre-employment actionsApplicants can expect a more transparent - predictable - and efficient hiring journey from announcement to entry on dutyWhat Applicants Can Expect Expedited Candidate Review Once the announcement closes - Human Resources will quickly review applications - issue certificates of eligible candidates the day after the announcement closes and refer applicants for hiring manager considerationQuick Interviews & References HR may arrange interviews and will request references within 3-5 days after being referred to the hiring managerStreamlined Pre-Employment Requirements: Following a tentative offer - applicants should be prepared to complete required steps - such as fingerprinting and background check - credentialing - and medical examination within 3 days of the offerClear and Timely Communication: Applicants will receive clear communication at key milestones - including referral - tentative offer - and onboarding instructionsAfter meeting pre-employment requirements - candidates will receive a final job offer and start dateOnboarding tasks may continue after starting - with HR ensuring timely completion for a smooth transition into VA serviceIf selected - applicants should be prepared to come onboard within 30 days of the announcement closingDuties and responsibilities include - but are not limited to: Operation of auxiliary equipment such as deaerating feed water tank - two water softeners - three city water booster pumps - three feed water pumps and condensate return tank with two pumps - microprocessor control systems - automated chemical feed system - distilled water system - controlled air compressors - and automated boiler blowdown systemProvide operational adjustments to the burner management systemMaintain records and logs of plant operating conditions - including hourly readings of outside air temperature - condensate return temperature - stack temperature - oxygen stack percentage - and carbon dioxide percentagesMaintain proper chemistry control of boiler water - condensate - and feedwaterPerform daily boiler water testAdjust Amines - Phosphate and Sulfite to maintain proper water qualitiesPerform daily maintenance and preventative maintenance determined by scheduled activities such as steam trap maintenance - valve maintenance - greasing of equipment and other predetermined tasksProvide technical input on pump operations and controlsRepair and adjust boiler combustion controls and boiler safety devices and individual air compressors for each boiler for steam atomizingUse of diagrams - drawings - operating manuals - or facility procedures to be followed during emergencies - equipment failure - or system malfunctionMastery of industrial practices for maintenance and repair of equipmentMaintain cleanliness during maintenance work on boiler plant equipmentPerform other related duties as assignedPreferred Experience: Knowledge and experience must demonstrate qualifications specifically aligned with boiler plant operations and steam systems preferably in a hospital setting5 to 6 year of experience with Boiler Plant Operations desiredWork Schedule: Full-Time - Various tours of duties and shifts to include weekends and holidays mornings - evenings - and overnight shifts - depending on the needs of the service(For Example: 6:00 am - 2:00 pm2:00 pm - 10:00 pm OR 10:00 pm - 6:00 am)Recruitment/Relocation Incentive: May be authorized for well qualified candidates Position Description Title/PD#: Boiler Plant Operator/PD14734A Physical Requirements: The duty of this position requires the incumbent to be in good physical conditionThe incumbent must be able to work at various heights - such as working from ladders - work on pneumatic lifts - inside confined spaces such as inside boiler drums and various water storage tanksThe incumbent shall be able to work in positions such as standing - stooping - bending and other tiring and uncomfortable positionsThe incumbent shall be frequently required to lift objects weighing over forty (40) pounds and occasionally lift objects weighing over ninety (90) poundsWorking Conditions: The operators work under extremes of heat - cold - dust and dampness on a regular basis - Work may occur when no other VA employees are present in the Boiler Plant or are present in at the facilityThe operator comes in contact with hazardous chemicals such as caustics - acids - phosphates - amines - and hydroxides and steam and hazardous equipmentThe incumbent may be exposed to the possibility of cuts - bruises and irritations and is required to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when necessary.