Summary
The position is employed in the Environmental Shop, Facilities & Engineering Service, Perry Point VA Medical Center, a division of the VA Maryland Health Care System (VAMHCS). This shop is responsible for the Boiler Plant, Chiller Plant, Water Treatment Plant, sewage disposal plant, swimming pools, steam and water distribution systems. The Perry Point campus includes over 100 buildings on 365+ acres. Most buildings are over 60 years old. The Boiler Plant operates 24 hours/day, 7 days/week.
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 May Include:
- Operates and maintains boilers and auxiliary equipment:
- Operates a multiple fuel boiler using natural gas as the primary fuel with No. 2 fuel oil providing backup. Oversees the unloading of tanker fuel oil trucks and transferring the fuel to a 150,000 gallon above ground fuel storage tank. Provides assessment and initial response to an emergency in this process.
- Operates boiler plants with a capacity of over 100,000 pounds of steam per hour. Maintains efficient combustion levels and ensures compliance with air pollution laws and/or regulations. Constantly attends to boilers to maintain efficiency and control of the formation of pollutants. Uses electronic, hydraulic, and pneumatic controls, and zone charts in conjunction with meters, gauges, and computer generated data to determine adjustments or corrections necessary for proper boiler operations or changing load requirements. The incumbent adjusts fuel feeds and the volume and velocity of draft and other fire box variables to achieve maximum combustion efficiency with changing load demands or variations in fuel quality.
- Operates emergency electrical generators to meet plant electrical requirements when the main electrical source is unable to provide the necessary power. The incumbent will work in conjunction with electric power controllers in starting and stopping steam generating units and auxiliary electrical equipment in accordance with electrical load requirements during peak demand times.
- Will test and analyze feed water, boiler water, and condensate using standard chemical tests. The testing is necessary to determine the treatment and chemicals to be used to control chemical concentrations, remove impurities and entrapped gases, or stabilize fluctuating water conditions in the boiler in order to protect systems and equipment.
- Incumbent is designated as the "operator in charge" (OIC) of the complete plant on the second and third shifts and all day on weekends and holidays, and as such is responsible for following written instructions from the supervisor or the OIC on the previous shift as well as relaying instructions to the next shift operator, including problems encountered and action taken. The OIC evaluates and makes decisions with the steam distribution system, hazardous spills, safety problems, as well as problems concerning other trades such as electrical, plumbing, locksmith and environmental controls (HVAC); initiates immediate action to correct any of those situations that he/she determines emergencies. In addition, he/she will independently cut off and re-route steam to the medical center buildings. In the absence of written contingency procedures, determines when to bring another boiler on line or remove a boiler from operation, in the least amount of time, to meet changing load demands while maintaining safe levels and efficient combustion. The OIC has the responsibility to determine what work must be done and the authority to call in off-duty maintenance staff from other shops to make repairs and isolate problems.
Work Schedule: Rotating Shifts: 8am-4pm; 4pm-12am; 12am-8am
Position Description Title/PD#: Boiler Plant Operator/PD5042-0154A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
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:
- Dexterity and Safety
- Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair
- Interpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading)
- Machine Tools
- Without 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
Education is not required.
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.
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.
Documents Accepted:
- Cover Letter
- DD-214/ Statement of Service
- Disability Letter (VA)
- Other (1)
- Resume
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.
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 11/13/2023 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12195572.
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.
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