Boiler Plant Operator Job in Muskogee, OK

Vacancy No. CBSU-12750223-25-RSH Department Veterans Health Administration
Salary $28.45 to $33.20 Grade 9 to 9
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 6/18/2025 Close Date 6/26/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Muskogee, OK


Summary

The Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System (EOVAHCS) is in Muskogee, Oklahoma, and delivers care through one (1) VA Medical Center as well as 8 Outpatient sites of care. Our facility provides a diverse complex array of services, including but not limited to 27 clinical specialties, ICU level three (3), Intermediate Operating Room complexity, and 12 psychiatric beds. The EOVAHCS is part of the VA Network 19.

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

Duties include but are not limited to the following tasks:
  • Knowledge, skill, and ability to operate, maintain, troubleshoot, repair/replace, or adjust sub-systems or components of a complex steam generation system comprised of three (3) multi-fuel (gas/oil/propane).
  • Knowledge, skills and ability with fire tubes, high- pressure power boilers, multistage centrifugal and positive displacement pumps for feed water, condensate transfer, fuel oil, chemicals, and other pumps
  • Knowledge/Skills of stationary equipment including exhaust fans, pneumatic systems including air compressors, dryers, pneumatic controls, direct digital and PLC control systems for burner management, and parallel combustion control systems.
  • Knowledge and ability to read, write, use, and interpret a wide range of specifications, mechanical, electrical, and piping drawings, piping flow diagrams, sketches, notes, and manufacturer's documentation.
  • Knowledge of plant layout, steam generation systems, auxiliary equipment, and control systems sufficient to quickly locate problems or trouble and determine appropriate action necessary to maintain safe and adequate steam production

Work Schedule: Initial 90 day training period is 0800-1600 Mon-Fri. After 90 days, Midnight-0800 Sun-Thur. OR 1600-2400 Tue -Sat.
Position Description Title/PD#: Boiler Plant Operator/PD14151A

Physical Requirements: Work requires moderate to heavy physical exertion (10-80 pounds) while lifting, transporting, carrying, pulling, moving, handling, or setting up ladders, scaffolds, materials, chemicals, tools, equipment, etc. Repairs, maintenance, or observation work requires kneeling, stretching, pushing, pulling, crouching, stooping, bending, climbing, and walking/standing for long periods and when accessing confined spaces such as Morrison tubes and condensate return and deaerator tanks through limited access manways. Incumbent works from ladders, scaffolds, platforms, ground level, or in hard- to-reach places requiring climbing ladders, reaching over and under while in cramped, awkward, tiring, and/or uncomfortable positions. Uses hand, eye, leg, and body coordination while performing assigned work.

Working Conditions: Incumbent works indoors around potentially hazardous mechanical and electric equipment in adequately lighted and ventilated conditions. The incumbent is exposed to the danger of boiler or high-pressure system or vessel explosion, electrical shock, steam leaks, hot water leaks, including water flashing to steam, burns from high temperature and chemicals, cuts, and bruises. Extreme care must be taken while exposed to hazards from scalds or burns from boilers, tanks, piping, and valves operating at high pressures and temperatures; working with large-scale combustion processes; boiler and/or burner bursts/explosions; carbon monoxide poisoning; natural gas, fuel oil, sulfur, and combustion by-products fumes; explosive gases and flammable, combustible, or corrosive liquids; physical contact with and the vapors from water testing and treatment chemicals; continuous equipment noises; moving and rotating machinery; equipment which starts, operates, and stops under automatic control from controlling devices; and working in uncomfortable and difficult postures and from elevated positions in extremes of hot and cold temperatures. Enters and works inside confined spaces while wearing protective clothing, face, and eye protection, and respirator for protection from carbon dust (soot), rust, and flying metal wires when cleaning Morrison tube, deaerator tank, and condensate return tank. Incumbent infrequently work outdoors in all weather conditions on matters related to the management of fuel tanks and fuel oil inventory. The Incumbent is provided with all necessary PPE and over clothing as needed. Frequently works alone.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
  • Subject to a background/suitability investigation
  • 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.
  • Selected applicant is subject to a restriction on movement following competitive appointment in 5 C.F.R. 330.502 for the first 90 days.
  • Subject to a pre-employment physical examination to demonstrate the ability to meet the physical requirements of the position.
  • Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

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
  • Dexterity and Safety
  • Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair
  • Interpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading)
  • Measuring Instruments
  • Operation of Equipment/Machinery
  • Technical Practices


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

"There is no educational substitution at this grade level"

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 following will be communicated to applicants for VA employment in a testing designated position and will also be included in all VA vacancy announcements for such positions: All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drugs use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.

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.

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.

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. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

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 (Schedule A)
  • License
  • Other (1)
  • PCS Orders
  • Performance Appraisal
  • Professional Certification
  • Resume
  • Separation Notice (RIF)
  • SF-15
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
  • Transcript

Documents Required:
  • Resume

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 06/26/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12750223.

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

VISN 19 HR Contact Center
Address
VA Eastern Oklahoma Health Care System
1011 Honor Heights Drive
Muskogee, OK 74401
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: 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.


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


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