Duties
The Boiler Plant Operator uses manual and automatic controls to operate the Boiler Plant in the Operations Section of Facilities Management Service at the Lyons Campus. 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 and necessary.
The Boiler Plant Operator performs all duties required to maintain the safe and efficient operation of a 3500-horsepower high-pressure steam boiler plant, operating steam pressure of boilers between 100 and 135 psi, consisting of five (5) 700-HP fire tube boilers (with economizers) automatic and. manually fired combination oil and natural gas burning. The total capacity is 120, 750 lbs. /hr. with an average output of 40,000 to 45,000 lbs. /hr.
The Incumbent performs all preventive maintenance duties, adjustments and corrective actions as required and necessary. The incumbent operates the feed water system, the steam system, domestic water, natural gas, fuel oil, and local control panels at each individual boiler and the main control panel with plant and boiler master controls along with all associated transmitters and recorders. The Incumbent operates systems and related components. Operations of the feedwater system consists of backflow preventers, water softeners, make-up tank, transfer pumps, a 100,000 lbs./hr. Deaerating Feedwater Heater and feed water pumps. The domestic water system includes a plant water softening system. The chemical feed system includes batch tanks, chemical storage tanks and chemical feed pumps. The natural gas system includes the main gas meter and regulator, solenoid operated cut-out valve, emergency cut-off switches, high and low gas pressure switches, filters, pressure regulators, pilots, solenoid valves, vents, and propane back-up pilot system. But are not limited to:
- Knowledge of principles and methods of operating high-pressure oil and gas-fired boilers and of the methods employed in determining and obtaining efficient combustion.
- Knowledge and ability to perform combustion and efficiency calculations.
- Knowledge to adjust firing rates for best combustion, efficiency and steam production.
- Skills to determine necessary settings and to adjust controls of generating equipment for desired operating conditions and synchronization of equipment with the system.
- Ability to read and interpret precision recording instruments, including valves, piping equipment, gauges, dials, controls, relays, switches and trips, and to record information noted.
- Skill in reading flow meters and charts to determine how much steam is being produced and whether it is meeting demands, how much fuel is being used, and how much water is being evaporated.
- Skills to interpret readings from charts and meters to determine whether to increase or lower fire in boiler, whether to start or stop boiler feed pumps, and to determine how long these are to operate.
- Ability to determine the type and amount of chemicals that need to be added to boilers for treatment of boiler water in order to control corrosion and scale formation.
- Has skill and knowledge to operate hand and power tools; Uses electrical tools, tools of the trade such as pipe wrenches, tap and die, hammer, drills, power equipment, pick and shovel, portable pumps and grease guns.
- Ability to understand and execute written and oral instructions and relay instructions to follow-on shifts
- Ability to communicate effectively with supervisor, other operators and plant personnel.
Preferred Qualifications: New Jersey Blue Seal 3rd Class Engineer's License.
Work Schedule: Rotating Shift (8am-4pm, 4pm-12am & 12am-8am). Position is required to work rotating shifts of a 7day, 3 shift operational plans.
Position Description Title/PD#: Boiler Plant Operator/PD807-A
Required Documents
Documents Accepted:
- Cover Letter
- DD-214/ Statement of Service
- Disability Letter (Schedule A)
- Disability Letter (VA)
- License
- Other (1)
- PCS Orders
- Professional Certification
- Resume
- Separation Notice (RIF)
- SF-15
- 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 02/28/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12638182.
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.