The Boiler Plant Operator works in the Engineering Service for the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System (CTVHCS). DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (COVID-19 - VA 002) in-accordance with 5 U.S.C. 3304(a)(3) and 5 CFR 337.205(b)(1)-(4).

Duties

Major duties include but not limited to: Works with power boilers that use oil, gas, or combination fuels in steam distribution plants. Services power boilers that typically include a variety of auxiliary components such as fuel delivery systems, induced draft fans, preheaters, de-aerating equipment, water treatment equipment, economizers, and air compressors that often require regular adjustment and maintenance to meet rigid tolerances. Monitors and tests the operation of power boiler systems in order to identify malfunctions and potential problems with equipment such as automatic controls, valves, bag houses, electrostatic precipitators, lime slurry systems, piping, feedwater pumps, condensate pumps, fuel oil pumps, and related components. Examines, adjust, and as necessary, replace and repair equipment such as pneumatic and electrical thermostats, governors, regulators, switches, fuel cutoff devices, burners, fuel feed and flame safeguard controls, steam gland seals, bearings, and drive gears. They maintain burners, burner nozzles, and orifice assemblies, and dismantle and locate defects and reassemble and reinstall components. Performs preventative and scheduled maintenance on plant systems and equipment including boiler feed pumps, fuel oil pumps, air compressors, turbines, generators, boiler fixtures, and combustion fans. Maintains and reworks remote heating boilers and perform major overhauls of the entire system including the repair, replacement, and installation of boiler tubes, refractory linings, electronic and electrical controls, and associated components. May work with complex burner management controls and examine electronic and electro-mechanical controls and support equipment for power boilers using infrared, ultra-violet, and specialized testing devices. They repair or replace flame gauges, controls, relief valves, and ignition devices. Start, operate, adjust, stop, maintain and perform various operational repairs on three multiple fuel power boilers and related auxiliary and pollution control equipment in a safe and efficient manner. Use electronic, hydraulic, and pneumatic controls in conjunction with meters, gauges, and computer-generated data to determine adjustments or corrections necessary for proper boiler operations or changing load demands. Responsible for routinely observing the instruments, gauges, meters, detectors, recorders, water level indicators, controls, water chemistry and equipment as well as computer generated data. Perform operational maintenance and repairs of moderate complexity such as repairing and replacing valves, gauges, pumps or other equipment as well as basic electrical repairs. Responsible for testing and analyzing boiler feed water, boiler water, and condensate return water using standard chemical tests. Tests, adjusts, maintains, 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/manual fuel valves. Uses electronic, hydraulic, and pneumatic controls, charts, recorders, meters, gauges, and computer-generated data to determine adjustments or corrections necessary for proper boiler operations or changing load requirements. Uses tools such as manometers, multi-meters, combustion analyzers, test gauges, infrared thermometer to maintain, calibrate, and repair safety devices. Incumbent operates, adjusts, maintains and repairs auxiliary plant equipment. The devices repaired and maintained are characterized by electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and/or electronic systems with interrelated functions that require the incumbent to deal with all aspects of an integrated assembly to successfully complete work on any of the components. Items serviced are characterized by a variety of data-sensing units, computing assemblies, actuating mechanisms, display indicators, and related controls that are collectively combined and integrated into a complete unit of information gathering devices. Additionally, monitor the hospital fire alarm system and respond to emergencies as well as responding to emergency trouble calls within the facility after normal duty hours by contacting the appropriate mechanic or technician, and monitor the hospital facility water supply system consisting of a 200,000-gallon elevated and 500,000-gallon ground storage water tanks, two electrically driven water pumps and an emergency water pump. Work Schedule: Sunday - Tuesday and every other Wednesday, 7:30am - 8:00pm Position Description Title/PD#: 674-8620-O/Boiler Plant Operator Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May Be Authorized for a Highly Qualified Individual

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
• Subject to a background/suitability investigation
• May serve a probationary period
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Pre-employment physical required
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Personnel

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 SafetyEquipment Assembly, Installation, RepairInterpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading)Measuring InstrumentsOperation of Equipment/MachineryTechnical PracticesWithout 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. Physical Requirements/Working Conditions: Functional Requirements: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over; Heavy carrying, 45 pounds and over; Straight pulling (2-4 hours); Pulling hand over hand (1 hour); Pushing (1 hour); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (4 hours); Standing (4 hours); Crawling (1 hour); Kneeling (1 hour); Repeated bending (1-3 hours); Climbing, use of legs and arms; Both legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Both eyes required; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Hearing (aid permitted)Environmental Factors: Outside and inside;Excessive noise, intermittent; Grease and oils; Electrical energy; Working around machinery with moving parts; Working on ladders or scaffolding; Working closely with others.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Contacts

• Address VA Central Texas Health Care System 1901 Veterans Memorial Drive Temple, TX 76504 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]