Boiler Plant Operator Job in Fort Wayne, IN

Vacancy No. CBSR-12745377-25-HYC Department Veterans Health Administration
Salary $30.33 to $35.40 Grade 9 to 9
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 6/6/2025 Close Date 6/18/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Fort Wayne, IN


Summary

The Boiler Plant Operator operates boilers & auxiliary equipment and installs, maintains & repairs complex equipment.

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

The duties of the Boiler Plant Operator includes but is not limited to:
Operates & Maintains Boilers & Auxiliary Equipment
Operates and performs operational/preventive maintenance on a semiautomatic, gas/oil-fired, high pressure steam plant consisting of three fire-tube type power boilers and related auxiliary equipment.
Monitors the overall operation of the plant to maintain the required steam production for heat and process use throughout the station.
Makes various operational adjustments to maintain plant efficiency and safety.
Maintains records and logs of plant operating conditions.
Performs daily boiler water test to determine chemical treatment required to prevent scale and corrosion of the boilers.
Maintains efficient combustion levels and ensures compliance with air pollution laws or regulations.
Uses electronic and hydraulic 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.
Operates emergency electrical generators to meet plant electrical requirements when the main electrical source is unable to provide the necessary power.

Installs, Maintains & Repairs Complex Equipment
Repairs, troubleshoots and maintains boilers and auxiliary equipment.
Monitors and tests the operation of boiler systems in order to identify malfunctions and potential problems with equipment such as automatic controls, valves, piping, pumps, and related components.
Performs preventative and scheduled maintenance on equipment including boiler feed water pumps, fuel oil
pumps, air compressors, turbines, generators, and other boiler plant systems.

Work Schedule:
Vacancy #1-Week 1: Friday - Wednesday 6:00am to 6:00pm, Thursday 8:00am to 4:00pm; Week 2: off
Vacancy #2-Week 1: Friday - Wednesday 12:00am to 12:00pm, Thursday 12:00am to 8:00am; Week 2: off
Work schedule is subject to change pending the requirements of the Facility and or Service.
Position Description Title/PD#: Boiler Plant Operator/PD923930

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. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents).
  • Effective May 7, 2025, driver’s licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.

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:
Applicants must receive a minimum of two points on the below screen-out element to be deemed eligible for consideration.
  • Ability To Do the Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision.
Tasks related to: 1) installing and or repairing piping systems according to drawings or manufacturer specifications; 2) reading electrical schematic drawings; and 3) taking readings of combustion information, gauge pressures, and water properties & levels

JOB ELEMENTS. The below job elements (skills, knowledge, abilities, and personal characteristics considered necessary for success on the job) are approved by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management for individual occupations as well as for jobs having common requirements.
  • Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (Other Than Blueprint Reading)
  • Dexterity and Safety
  • Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation, and Repair, etc.
  • Operation of Equipment/Machinery
  • Technical Practices (Theoretical, Precise, Artistic)
  • Use of Measuring Instruments - 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.

Physical Requirements. Works from ladders, scaffolding, platforms, and elevated catwalks. Work may be at or above ground level. Frequently works in confined areas in and around boilers and support equipment. Requires moderate to strenuous effort and long periods of walking, standing, climbing, bending, reaching, stooping, and crouching, as the work
site dictates. Frequently lifts and carries boiler parts and chemical supplies weighing up to 50 lbs. unassisted. Occasionally carries items weighing over 50 lbs. with assistance. Must submit to an annual physical examination.

Work Conditions. Mainly works indoors but occasionally works outside for short periods of time. Subject to high temperatures, constant noise, rotating machinery, soot, dirt, grease, chemicals, oil, and fumes. Subject to cuts and abrasions from the use of tools and equipment, and burns from acids, caustics, hot water, steam and contact with boilers. Work on catwalks and ladders.

NOTE: Your answers will be verified against the information you provide on your resume, documents, and information supplied by your references. If you do not clearly describe your experience in your resume, you will be rated ineligible. We cannot make assumptions about your work experience and skills.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer (TJO). Please visit the Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP), va.gov/EMPLOYEE/docs/The-Fair-Chance-to-Compete-Act.pdf for more information.

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website which can be found at https://www.opm.gov/.

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

VA Healthcare System Serving Ohio, Indiana and Michigan (VISN 10) advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

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
  • DD-214/ Statement of Service
  • Disability Letter (VA)
  • Other (1)
  • Resume
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action


Documents Required:
  • Resume

MOST RECENT SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee;

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 06/18/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12745377.

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.

Agency contact information

Henry Chen
Address
Northern Indiana HCS
1700 East 38th Street
Marion, IN 46953
US

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: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.