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.

Boiler Operations and Emissions Compliance

• Operates four dual-fuel, high-pressure boilers to ensure efficient steam production and compliance with State and Federal air pollution standards, including SO2 and NOx limits. Uses electronic, hydraulic, and pneumatic controls, along with meters, gauges, and data systems, to monitor and adjust combustion, fuel feed, draft, and firebox parameters for varying loads and fuel quality.

Monitoring, Logging, and Performance Calculations

• Records all necessary operational data in logs, journals, and records, including hourly readings of temperatures, pressures, voltage/current measurements, vacuum levels, and other specified parameters. Conducts routine calculations of efficiency, averages, energy and water consumption, and steam production. Maintains accurate machinery history records for traceability and audit purposes.

Water Chemistry Testing and Treatment

• Performs precise chemical analysis of boiler water, soft water, municipal water, and condensate returns in accordance with established directives and procedures. Independently determine and apply appropriate chemical dosages to maintain specified levels of alkalinity, acidity, dissolved solids, oxygen, and scale or algae control. Maintains proper purification through internal, external, and mechanical treatment methods to safeguard equipment and uphold steam quality.

Maintenance, Troubleshooting, and Repairs

• Performs scheduled and corrective maintenance and repairs on boilers and associated systems and components, including feedwater and condensate pumps, deaerators, burners, combustion controls, sensors, control valves, heat exchangers, pressure regulators and reducers, recorders, alarms, fuel oil pumps, lubricating oil pumps, strainers, and related distribution equipment. Conducts cleaning and maintenance of fireboxes, drums, tubes, stacks, and breechings, both internally and externally. Replace belts, clean strainers, nozzles, and jets, repack glands, and perform necessary repairs to distribution systems. Ensure proper housekeeping and maintenance of the utility plant and equipment.

Work Schedule: Shift Work, 12:00am -12:00pm or 12:00pm - 12:00am, compressed tour, Non rotating
Position Description Title/PD#: Boiler Plant Operator/PD70765-0
Physical Requirements: The work requires moderate to strenuous physical activity, including long periods of walking, standing, climbing, bending, and crouching. Operators frequently lift and carry boiler parts and chemical supplies weighing up to 40 pounds independently and occasionally handling items exceeding 40 pounds with assistance of other operators or appropriate lifting equipment.

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.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days 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:

• Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair
• Interpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading)
• Measuring Instruments
• Operation of Equipment/Machinery
• 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.

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)
• Series and Grade, if applicable, for all Federal positions you have held

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.

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.

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:

• 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.

Next steps