Summary
The Boiler Plant Operator is assigned to the James E. Van Zandt Medical Center within the Boiler Plant, Building 3. It contains 3 automatic gas and/or oil burning boilers with a total plant capacity of 41,400 pounds of steam per hour. The boilers are equipped with a central management SCADA system responsible for monitoring and maintaining pressure, temperature and safety devices. The plant operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and incumbent rotates through all shifts on a regular basis.
This job is open to
Clarification from the agency
ALL US CITIZENS
DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.201) for this occupation.
Duties
Major duties include, but are not limited to:
- Conduct tests including adjusting, maintaining and repairing 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 and manual fuel valves used to ensure avert pressure vessel failures and/or furnace explosions.
- Inspect boiler settings and refractory linings for signs of deterioration and failure due to heat stress.
- Use manual, automatic, semi-automatic and microprocessor controls to monitor, adjust and controls all phases of boiler plant operations.
- Use 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.
- Use tools such as manometers, multi-meters, combustion analyzers, test gauges, infrared thermometer and dead-weight gauge testers to maintain, calibrate and repair safety devices.
- Operate, adjust, maintains and repair auxiliary equipment.
- Adjust fuel feeds, volume and velocity of draft and other firebox variables to maintain combustion efficiencies, prevent unexpected shutdowns and prevent possible furnace explosions.
- Observe and documents information such as pressures, temperatures, levels to detect signs of system malfunction.
- Perform pre-boiler water treatment.
- Perform mechanical de-aeration.
- Make use of water softeners to remove all hardness and oxygen in the make-up waters.
- Gathers water samples daily from boilers.
- Test for various levels of chemicals and concentrations.
- Treat water to ensure that the boiler operation is consistent with prescribed standards.
- Adjust chemical dosages and documented application.
- Test return waters for proper pH levels to reduce corrosion.
- Maintain and repair domestic pumps and systems located in the Boiler Plant.
- Maintain and monitor the Veeder Root System for fuel oil capacities and tank leaks.
- Maintain, monitor and calibrate the carbon monoxide and combustible system.
- Troubleshoot, perform various checks, tests and adjustments to determine performance, repair and or operation needs.
- Conduct preventive maintenance using the Medical Center's computer system.
- Inspect and check machinery and equipment for appearance, cleanliness, excess heat and working condition of moving parts.
- Lubricate machinery and equipment as necessary.
- Make minor repairs such as stopping leaks by tightening connections, tightening and replacing belts, repacking or replacing valves, covering and insulating pipe and performing other repairs.
- Make major repairs of equipment such as rebuilding pumps, air compressors, regulators and motors.
- Replace piping, repair and refinishes valve seats.
- Replace steel piping, cut and tread pipe using low grade welding and cutting torches.
- Replace motor bearings using hydraulic presses.
- Cutting and solder copper piping.
- Perform minor, major repairs and replacement of refractory, tile and baffle brick.
- Rebuild and replacing steam reducing valves.
- Replace large safety valves.
- Rebuild, repair or replacing steam traps and heat exchangers and water softeners.
- Rebuild or replacing steam traps and heat exchangers.
- Operate the facility's emergency fire pumps and systems according to guidelines.
Work Schedule: Rotating tours and schedules
Position Description Title/PD#: Boiler Plant Operator/PD01392A
Physical Requirements: Subject typically from light to moderate physical effort. Adjustment of valves (opening and closing) and lifting items to a workbench is often required. Occasionally, required to lift over 50 pounds.
Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- 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 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)
- Dexterity and Safety
- Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation, and Repair, etc.
- Operation of Job Family Specify Equipment, Machinery, etc.
- Technical Practices (Theoretical, Precise, Artistic)
- Use of Measuring Instruments
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.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Applicants will be referred in the order in which they were received.
Required Documents
Documents Accepted:
- Cover Letter
- Professional Certification
- Resume
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
- Transcript
Documents Required:
Please review the above list(s) to ensure you have included all necessary documents required for your application.Not every applicant will require the same documents, therefore it is the applicants responsibility to ensure that their application package includes all necessary documents to determine qualifications and eligibility for appointment, such as a copy of your SF-50, transcript, ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information. Applicants will be deemed ineligible if supporting documentation is not submitted.
Veterans' Preference: Since the Direct-Hire Recruitment Authority is being used, traditional Veterans' Preference rules do not apply. Qualified veterans will, however, be given full consideration for this position.
Applications are accepted online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.
How to Apply
All applicants are encouraged to apply online.
To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 05/20/2024 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12407091.
1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Next steps
After the vacancy announcement closes, applicants are evaluated to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email.
|