The Boiler Plant Operator uses manual and automatic controls to operate the Boiler Plant in the Operations Section of the Facilities Management Service at the American Lake Campus. The incumbent performs all duties required to maintain the safe and efficient operation of a high-pressure steam boiler plant and performs all preventive maintenance duties, adjustments, and corrective actions as required.

Duties

The Boiler Plant Operator performs all duties required to maintain the safe and efficient operation of 3 Cleaver Brooks CB-600 horsepower fired tube high-pressure steam boiler plant, operating steam pressure of boilers between 70 and 100 psi. The plant is a duel-fired plant operating on natural gas with Diesel as the secondary fuel. The campus also has 15 Hydronic boilers of various sizes. Duties include but are not limited to: Operate and maintain boiler auxiliary equipment with manual and automatic controls to produce saturated steam with dual-fired boilers, burning natural gas or #2 diesel fuels. Lights off, operates, secures, and maintains power boilers, associated equipment, and pollution control equipment. Operates forced draft blowers, heat exchange, fuel oil pumps, fuel pressure controls valves, fuel oil strainers, relief and safety valves, water softeners, and other similar equipment. Regulates fuel and feed water levels, maintains required steam pressure, tests and treats boiler water and condensate returns to prescribed limits. Conducts preventive and corrective maintenance to all boiler plant equipment. Assist in preparation of boiler and deaerator inspections. Performs preventive and corrective maintenance to 14 independent gas fired hot water boilers. Tests all safety devices in accordance with VHA directives. Monitors 24 hour monitoring equipment in relation to medical refrigerators, underground storage tanks, emergency generator run panel, medical gases, fire alarms, and other BackNet capable devices, and provides notice to appropriate trades personnel for response to emergency situations. Perform other administrative duties as assigned. Work Schedule: 12 hours shifts, rotating every 4 months, 7:00am-7:00pm and 7:00pm-7:00am Position Description Title/PD#: Boiler Plant Operator/PD40885A Critical Skills Incentive: This occupation is currently approved for a Veterans Health Administration enterprise-wide Critical Skills Incentive (CSI) through 10/5/2024. Candidates may be eligible for a 10% lump sum CSI for a pro-rated amount if onboarded 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. Physical Requirements: Boiler Plant Operators frequently work in a confined area in and around boilers. Requires moderate to strenuous effort and long periods of walking, standing, climbing, bending, and crouching. Frequently lifts and carries boiler plant parts and chemical supplies weighing up to 50 pounds, unassisted. The incumbent may install, maintain, troubleshoot and repair equipment or components from ladders, platforms and scaffolding and in cramped or hard to reach areas. This can require walking long distances, prolonged standing, stooping, bending, and climbing in uncomfortable or tiring positions. Working Conditions: The working conditions vary with the environment, it is mainly indoors, but occasionally work outside for short periods of time. Member is subjected to high temperatures, constant noise, rotating equipment, soot, dirt, grease, chemicals and fumes. Burns related to acids, caustics, hot water, steam, and contact with boilers are possible. Incumbent works on catwalks and ladders. The incumbent may be assigned to work in areas where certain potentially harmful physical and/or chemical agents are present. To ensure employee safety and health, personnel protection programs are maintained. These programs may include engineering controls, training, work procedures, use of personal protective equipment, and medical surveillance. As part of the medical surveillance programs, the incumbent may be required to take medical examinations to assess his/her medical qualification for duty. The incumbent must be medically able to wear a respirator.

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

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days 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 (other than blueprint reading)Operation 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

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

Contacts

• Address VA Puget Sound Health Care System 1660 South Columbian Way Seattle, WA 98108 US
• Name: Jaimie Tappert
• Phone: (503) 220-8262 X31540
• Email: [email protected]