Boiler Plant Operator Job in Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

Vacancy No. MCFT-26-12907187-DHA Department United States Army Installation Management Command
Salary $36.49 to $42.63 Grade 11 to 11
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 3/13/2026 Close Date 4/2/2026
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD


Summary

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel in the DoD Workforce to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.

About the Position: The US Army Garrison's Directorate of Public Works (DPW) supports the Aberdeen Proving Ground mission through effective use of energy, providing and maintaining sustainable facilities and infrastructure, and emphasizing a culture of safety.

This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Duties

  • Execute decisions when the supervisor is not on duty and is the operator in charge of the plant.
  • Perform boiler plant equipment mechanic duties.
  • Operate the large central boiler plant for the organization.
  • Receive after-hours emergency trouble calls relating to areas such as a variety of trades and crafts in order to take appropriate action.
  • Determine when adjustment of complex controls /auxiliary equipment is necessary.
  • Notify the supervisor in the event of a serious malfunction of equipment.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

  • Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
  • This "Emergency-Essential" position (AR 690-11) requires you to continue working during a crisis or wartime to support combat operations. This designation overrides any transportation agreements or military recall status and may involve extra duties.
  • This position requires shift work to provide coverage on evenings, weekends, holidays, or special situations. Employee shifts are rotated on a regularly scheduled basis.
  • This position requires the employee to use personal protective equipment provided by the employer.
  • This position has a requirement to lift up to 50 lbs. in the regular performance of duties.
  • This position requires the completion of a pre-employment Physical Examination and an annual examination thereafter to ensure the continued, required level of physical health and ability or fitness to perform the duties of the position.
  • This position has been designated "Mission Essential." You are required to report to or remain at work during severe weather or other emergencies to support critical operations and ensure core functions continue uninterrupted.
  • Appointment to this position is subject to a one year probationary period unless the appointee has previously met the requirements as described in 5 CFR Part 11. While probationary the incumbent can be terminated with limited appeal rights.
  • The duties of this position require the incumbent to possess or obtain and maintain a valid state Driver's License in one of the 50 U.S. states or possessions to operate vehicles.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

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; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

There is no specific length of training or experience required. However, you must be able to demonstrate, through experience shown in your written application materials that you possess the sufficient knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the work of this position without more than normal supervision.

Minimum Qualifications (Screen Out Element): Ability to do the work of a(n) Boiler Plant Operator ~ without more than normal supervision. I have the ability to perform common Boiler Plant Operator tasks. I can operate boiler plants operations process such as water treatment, fuel systems, steam generation, and pollution control; responds to emergency calls in order to execute the proper action; monitor a control system to include interpreting codes to determine correct course of action. I work under normal supervision of a work leader or journey-level employee who observes tasks in progress and upon completion to make sure they are properly performed. - Failure to meet this Screen out Element will result in an ineligible rating.

In addition to the Screen Out Element, you must also meet the Selective Placement Factors (listed below):Selective Placement Factors:

Incumbent must possess prior to appointment (and be willing to maintain) a current Grade 1 Stationary Engineers License issued by the State of Maryland. This is required for the WG-11 level. (NOTE: Must submit a copy of the Grade 1 Stationary Engineers license with your application package. Applicants will need to submit a copy of their licenses along with the application. -Failure to attach license will result in an ineligible rating.

You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency in the following areas:

  • Physical Effort: Occasionally may work in awkward or cramped positions when making minor repairs. Frequent walking, standing, and climbing is required when checking equipment. The use of ladders is required. Boiler plant operators frequently work in confined areas in and around boilers and supporting equipment (i.e., auxiliary and pollution control equipment). The work required moderate to strenuous effort and long periods of walking, standing, climbing, bending, and crouching. Workers frequently lift and carry boiler parts and chemical supplies weighing up to 50 pounds (23 kilograms) unassisted, and occasionally items weighing over 50 pounds (23 kilograms)with assistance from other workers or with the use of weight handling equipment.
  • Working Conditions: Boiler plant workers work indoors and occasionally work outside for short periods where they are subject to prevailing weather conditions. Incumbent is subjected to high temperatures from boilers, hazard from possible boiler explosions, toxic fumes, high noise level, scalding, minor cuts and bruises. Various protective devices such as safety shoes, gloves, respirators, safety glasses, and coveralls are provided, when job requires, to minimize these conditions. Operator being exposed to high noise levels, use either ear plugs or ear muffs to minimize noise exposure. In addition, they work on catwalks and ladders where there is the potential to fall.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

  • Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
  • You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
  • One year trial/probationary period may be required.
  • Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
  • Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
  • If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
  • This is a(n) Construction, Engineering, & Infrastructure Career Field position.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
  • Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
  • When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit https://www.dfas.mil/civilianemployees/civrelo/Civilian-Moving-Expenses-Tax-Deduction/ for more information.
  • Permanent Change of Station (PCS) allowances may be authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations and an agency determination that a PCS move is in the Government Interest.
  • This is a(n) Construction, Engineering, & Infrastructure Career Field (CF) position.
  • The following special programs/incentives MAY be offered if it is appropriate to the position being filled and in the best interest of the government:
    • Recruitment Incentives
    • Relocation Incentives
    • Student Loan Repayment
    • Salary negotiations for those candidates who are new to Federal service may be authorized.
    • Credit for prior non-federal work experience and certain military service for determining annual leave accrual rate may be authorized.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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.

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position.

You may claim Priority Placement Program (PPP) preference.

Veterans and Military Spouses will be considered along with all other candidates.

Required Documents

The documents you are required to submit vary based on whether or not you are eligible for preference in federal employment. A complete description of preference categories and the associated required documents is in the Applicant Checklist for Public Announcements.

As described above, your complete application includes your resume, your responses to the online questionnaire, and documents which prove your eligibility to apply. If you fail to provide these documents, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and you will not be considered any further.

1. Your resume:

  • Your resume must be two pages or less and must support the specialized experience described in this announcement. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration.
  • For each relevant work experience, make sure you include the employer's name, job title, start and end dates (include month and year), for qualifications purposes, the number of hours worked per week, and a brief description that show you can perform the tasks at the required level listed in the job announcement. If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as incomplete, and you may not receive consideration for this position.
  • Use plain language. Avoid using acronyms and terms that are not easily understood. The hiring agency will not make assumptions about what's in your resume.
  • If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, it will not be used to make eligibility and qualification determinations, and you may not be considered for this vacancy.
  • For additional information, to include formatting tips, see: What to include in your resume.
2. Other supporting documents:
  • Cover Letter, optional
  • Most recent Performance Appraisal, if applicable
  • This position requires a job-related license or certification. You MUST submit a copy of your license or certification with your application package or you will be rated ineligible. See: Transcripts and Licenses

(NOTE: Must submit a copy of the Grade 1 Stationary Engineers license with your application package. Applicants will need to submit a copy of their licenses along with the application. Failure to attach license will result in an ineligible rating).

NOTE: Documents submitted as part of the application package, to include supplemental documents, may be shared beyond the Human Resources Office. Some supplemental documents such as military orders and marriage certificates may contain personal information for someone other than you. You may sanitize these documents to remove another person's personal information before you submit your application. You may be asked to provide an un-sanitized version of the documents if you are selected to confirm your eligibility.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the online questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above.

The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 04/02/2026 to receive consideration

  • To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application (https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12907187).
  • Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. As a reminder, your resume must be two pages or less and must support the specialized experience described in this announcement. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. For additional information, refer to the 'Required Documents' section.
  • You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
  • After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
  • You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. Your resume selected in USAJOBS will be included, but you must re-select other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application may be incomplete.
  • It is your responsibility to verify that your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.
  • Additional information on how to complete the online application process and submit your online application may be found on the USA Staffing Applicant Resource Center.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://www.usajobs.gov/applicant/profile/dashboard/), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/status.

Agency contact information

Army Applicant Help Desk
Website
https://portal.chra.army.mil/hr_public?id=app_inq
Address
FT-W4QVAA US ARMY IMCOM-USAG APG
DO NOT MAIL
Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005
US

Next steps

If you provided an email address, you will receive an email message acknowledging receipt of your application. Your application package will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking (as applicable) for this position. If you are determined to be ineligible or not qualified, your application will receive no further consideration.