Duties
Major duties include but is not limited to:
- The Operator uses electronic 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.
- Operators operate, adjust, maintain and repair auxiliary equipment including unfired pressure vessels, centrifugal pumps, rotary pumps, piston pumps, forced draft fans, atomized air compressors, water softening units, fuel oil strainers and filters, steam traps and strainers, piping and valves.
- Operator adjusts fuel feeds, volume and velocity of draft and other firebox variables to maintain combustion efficiencies, prevent unexpected shut downs and prevent possible furnace explosions.
- Regularly observes and documents information such as pressures, temperatures, levels, and detectors to identify signs of
trouble.
- Operator maintains and analyzes the boiler water treatment program to prolong its useful life and prevent the premature failure of the pressure containing boiler parts.
- Monitors plant status with Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) computer system. Incumbent
monitors the City Water Pressure alarm and alarm panels for #1 & #2 Emergency Diesel Generator operations to ensure emergency power is supplied to the boiler plant in the event of a power outage.
- Test and calibrates level transmitters and pressure transmitters.
- Incumbent visually inspects boiler settings and refractory linings for signs of deterioration and failure due to heat stress resulting in flue gases escaping into the plant and endangering on-duty personnel.
- Operator makes independent decisions and judgments regarding troubleshooting techniques, an modification and repair procedures.
- Operator performs after business hour call-in troubleshooting and repairs for HVAC, electrical and plumbing.
- Is required to do the majority of steam fitting, plumbing, painting, and housekeeping duties in the boiler plant.
- Is also required to perform minor electrical troubleshooting and repairs.
- Other related duties as assigned.
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm PST
Position Description Title/PD#: Boiler Plant Operator/PD90516-A
Physical Requirements: The work requires moderate to heavy physical exertion while lifting, carrying, handling, moving, pulling, pushing, transporting or setting up; equipment, ladders, materials, parts, scaffolds, tools up to 50 pounds unaided. Occasionally required to lift and move items weighing in excess of 100 pounds, with the help of weight handling equipment of with assistance from other workers. Works from catwalks, ground level, ladders, platforms, scaffolds, or hard-to-reach places requiring climbing, reaching over and under while in cramped, awkward, tiring, and or uncomfortable positions; applying hand, eye, leg, and body coordination. Work requires kneeling, stretching, pushing, pulling, crouching, stooping, bending, climbing, walking and standing for long periods on concrete floors and corrugated steel catwalks and negotiating confined spaces. Must be able to use appropriate respiratory protective equipment while working in conditions involving adverse elements such as carbon, cement, fire clay, fibrous glass, silica and soot dust, chemical and organic vapors. Must have vision of no less than 20/40 (corrected) and be able to distinguish basic shades of color. Must be able to perform work at heights in excess of thirty feet and inside confined spaces requiring entry and exit through standard manual
openings. Boiler plant operators will receive annual physicals to ensure they are physically fit to perform the assigned duties.
Working Conditions: The operator generally works indoors in an adequately-lighted, ventilated space; is under the direct supervision of the Boiler Plant Supervisor who makes oral or written assignments related to changes in established practices. Operator regularly works alone in a remote and restricted access area. Operator regularly works in extreme temperature environment in excess of 100 degrees, is regularly exposed to chemicals, fossil fuels, lubricants, moving machinery and parts; air, steam and liquids under high pressures and temperatures and solvents. There is danger of boiler of furnace explosions, burns, broken bones, cuts and scalds, electrical shock, pressure vessel ruptures, slipping, tripping and falling.
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.
Resume Reminder - Your resume must include the following information for each job listed:
- Job title
- Duties (be as detailed as possible)
- Month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008)
- Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)
- Salary/Rank etc.
- Series and Grade, if applicable, for all Federal positions you have held
- References, current or recent supervisor
Do not include the following types of information in your resume:
- Classified or Government sensitive information
- Social Security Number (SSN)
- Photos of yourself
- Personal information, such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.
Please be aware that your answers will be verified against information provided on your resume. Be sure that your resume clearly supports your responses to all of the questions by addressing your work experience in detail. The experience stated in your resume must support your assessment responses.
Recommended: Even though we do not require a specific resume format, your resume must be clear so that we are able to fully evaluate your qualifications. To ensure you receive appropriate consideration, please list the duties you performed under each individual job title. If we are unable to match your experiences with the positions held, you may lose consideration for this vacancy. We cannot make assumptions regarding your qualifications.
Required Documents
Documents Accepted:
- Cover Letter
- DD-214/ Statement of Service
- Disability Letter (Schedule A)
- Disability Letter (VA)
- License
- Other (1)
- PCS Orders
- Performance Appraisal
- 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 06/09/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12743408.
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. You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
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.
NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.