Boiler plant operator operates and maintains water tube and fire tube boilers while stationed in Omaha, Nebraska at the VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System Hospital. DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.201) for this occupation.

Duties

Primary duties assigned to this position include but are not limited to: Operates and maintains natural gas and oil fired power boilers and ancillary powered auxiliary equipment with manual and automatic controls to produce saturated steam. Lights off, operates, secures, and maintains power boilers and associated auxiliary equipment. Operates dampers, forced draft fans, and pumps. Operates and monitors fuel pressure, control valves, fuel strainers, relief valves, water softeners, and other similar equipment through manual and automatic means. Regulates water levels and maintains required steam pressure and temperatures. Monitors water conditioning equipment to control and/or remove impurities and entrapped gases. Assesses, proposed and administers water treatment and related contract services, as required. Independently starts, adjusts, maintains, and monitors water levels, fuel quantity, feeds, pressures, and other gauges to assure efficient operation. Operates diesel powered 285 KW emergency generator and related transfer switches to meet plant power requirements when the main power source is disrupted or unavailable. Tracks, plans, and assists with generator load testing, operation and maintenance requirements. Tests and documents weekly testing to ensure proper operations. Performs a wide range of water tests on boiler water, condensate and softened water daily. Determines and calculates effective dosages of chemical treatment to maintain samples at established levels. Makes entry, assesses trends and makes recommendations in water treatment logs daily. Operates and maintains chemical pump to include priming pump, set pump flow rate, adjusts and corrects oil levels, and assesses and maintains correct water level at all times. Operates and maintains two (2) 24,000 grain sodium zeolite water softeners. Tests softened water daily to ensure proper operation of softeners. Orders and maintains stocks of salt pellets used for regeneration. Schedules checks by outside contractor to verify test results. Prints computerized vehicle schedule; maintains inspection and distributes daily vehicle per reservations; routes vehicle complaints to the vehicle fleet manager; assists customers in scheduling and resolving vehicle issues; and ensures documentation is complete and accurate. Work Schedule: Rotating shifts to cover plant operations 24/7: Sun-Sat 0700-1900,1900-0700 (Applicant Preference) Position Description Title/PD#: Boiler Plant Operator/PD70204A Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. Bargaining Unit Position: Yes *This occupation is currently approved for a Veterans Health Administration enterprise-wide Critical Skills Incentive through 09/21/2024. Candidates may be eligible for a lump sum CSI for a pro-rated amount if onboard prior to the CSI expiration date. Eligible candidates will be required to sign a service agreement agreeing to an obligated service period and failure to complete the obligated service period may result in a debt for the unearned portion of the CSI. The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
• Subject to a background/suitability investigation
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• 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
• 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
• Pre-employment Physical Required

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 screen-out element for this position is: Ability to do the work of the position without more than normal supervision: experience performing tasks common to boiler plant operations; experience or aptitude in applying training and learning to operating in a boiler plant environment; working safely, identifying safety hazards, and to following safety procedures; troubleshoot, maintain and repair equipment. 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.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Contacts

• Address VA Nebraska-Western Iowa HCS - Omaha 4101 Woolworth Avenue Omaha, NE 68105 US
• Name: Barbara Jones
• Phone: (701) 239-3700 X3650
• Email: [email protected]