The Boiler Plant Operator at VA Caribbean Healthcare System, part of a 24/7 shift team, maintains and repairs steam boilers and related equipment. In this role, the operator will be responsible for performing operations, repairs, and maintenance on steam boilers, as well as associated accessories and auxiliary equipment. Tasks will encompass a range of checks, tests, adjustments, and troubleshooting to assess the requirement for and execution of repair and operational tasks.

Duties

Operates feed water pumps, heat reclaimers, hot water generators, air compressors, steam condensate pumps, boiler plant and laundry softeners and all related equipment in the operation of the steam boiler plant and the Laundry Plant. Observes and logs readings of gauges, meters, recorders (steam flow), boiler water level indicators and computer generated and analog displays to detect warning signals during operation. He or she prepares a quarterly report where hospital and laundry steam consumption is calculated, and total and fuel consumption is calculated and totaled. Analyzes feed water, boiler water condenses to water return and softeners water utilizing standard chemical testing procedures. He or she determines the concentration of chemicals to be added to the boiler water and the chemical injection percentage of chemical pumps to remove impurities and entrapped gases and stabilize fluctuating water conditions in boilers. Controls the dissolved solids in water side of boilers by proper blow down and by operating and monitoring two Boilermatic 3000 continuous blowdown controllers. Checks the operation of safety equipment such as flame extinction, auto reigniting, low water cut outs, high pressure cut outs, pre ignition and post ignition purge safeties. He or she reads and interprets blueprints, drawings, and schematics as part of preventive maintenance system. Prepares the boiler for semiannual and annual inspections. The work requires the cleaning of fire tube replacements of gaskets, reface safety valves, perform a hydrostatic test, and put boilers back in service. Logs and boiler operation reports will call service personnel in the event of a major breakdown or an emergency situation in the boiler plant and inform his or her supervisor. Perform as Operator-in-Charge and is responsible for deciding whether to shut down a boiler, start a boiler or shut down and start another boiler, secure main steam feed lines to laundry and hospital in the event of a contingency in the boiler plant or hospital. He or she is responsible for the relay of instructions to the next operator when relieved from duty, including decisions taking in reference to equipment in boiler plant and actions taking during his/ her shift. Provides written or oral instructions, which may be accompanied by diagrams, drawings, operating manuals, or special procedure to be followed during emergencies, equipment failures or system malfunctions. Makes independent decisions and judgments regarding boiler plant operations, informing those to the supervisor. Boiler plant operators take immediate action to prevent interruptions and report all emergencies and dangerous conditions. Work Schedule: Full-Time, Rotating Shifts, Weekends and Holidays (8:00 am - to 4:00 pm, 4:00 pm to mid, mid to 8:00 am) / Operate on an 8-hour shift, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week and must rotate the different shifts at planned intervals Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Boiler Plant Operator/PD08098A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/20/2023. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Dexterity and SafetyInterpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading)Operation of Equipment/MachineryTechnical PracticesTroubleshooting 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: Boiler plant operators work in confined areas in an around boilers and support equipment. The work requires moderate to strenuous efforts and long periods of walking, standing, climbing, bending, and crouching. Boiler plant operators frequently lift, carry, and move boiler plants, chemical supplies such as chemical treatment drums weighing up to 40 pounds and more than 40 pounds occasionally unassisted or with assistance if available. Boiler plant operators work indoors and occasionally work outside for short periods. Operators are subject to high temperatures, constant noise, rotating machinery, soot, dirt, grease, chemicals, oil, flue gases and fumes in the work area. Boiler plant operators are subject to cuts and abrasions from the use of tools and equipment and burns from caustic chemicals, acids, hot water, steam and contact with piping and boilers. In addition, they work on ladders and on top of boilers and feed water tanks. 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.

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address San Juan VA Medical Center 10 Calle Casia San Juan, PR 00921 US
• Name: Rodney Robinson
• Phone: (737) 900-5935
• Email: [email protected]