Boiler Plant Operator Supervisor Job in Jamaica Plain, MA

Vacancy No. CBTD-12730810-25-JM Department Veterans Health Administration
Salary $43.25 to $50.45 Grade 8 to 8
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 5/8/2025 Close Date 6/2/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
Jamaica Plain, MA


Summary

This Boiler Plant Operator Supervisor position is located in Facilities Management with VA Boston Healthcare System at the Jamaica Plain, MA campus. This position is full-time at 40 hours per week.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

Open to current permanent employees of the Veterans Health Administration including permanent Veterans Canteen Service employees, current permanent full-time Hybrid Title 38 and permanent full-time Title 38 employees.

Duties

  • Operates Heat Extractor System used to produce tempered water for boiler plant use and reclaimed heat for hospital's fresh air supply.
  • Monitors and responds to the alarms generated by the Energy Management Computer System, which records all sensing devices and their operational status by means of monitoring the environment, equipment operation/breakdown, and signaling pending problems on a 24-hour basis throughout the entire facility.
  • Oversees the operation of the Digitize Base-Loop Fire Alarm System, which provides backup to the automatic transmission of fire alarms to the Boston Fire Department plus additional real-time alarms of malfunctions of systems.
  • Performs maintenance and periodic testing including record keeping for an emergency generator with automatic transfer switches, which provides immediate emergency power for critical medical care requirements and the boiler plant.
  • Supervises boiler plant operators to include planning, scheduling, and changing work assignments as necessary to accomplish the work as effectively and efficiently as possible.
  • Defines standards of quality and quantity to be met.
  • Determines material, equipment, and maintenance needs and ensures they are requested in a timely manner to assure uninterrupted flow of critical operations.
  • Coordinates the work of section with other sections as necessary.
  • Provides information and advice to higher-level supervision on budget estimates by preparing budget worksheets.
  • Oversees, analyzes, and maintains operational records of work production, prepares the boiler plant logs and equipment under control and compiles information for central office reports.
  • Establishes deadlines and priorities based on methods and policies established by higher-level supervision and reviews work while in progress or after completion.
  • Promotes the participation of subordinates in the achievement of all management goals.
  • Plans and schedules all training of operating personnel.
  • Drafts position descriptions, performance standards, and routine memorandums as well as specifications for recurring maintenance services.
  • Schedules and approves leave requests, sets performance standards, conducts performance appraisals, counsels employees, resolves informal complaints and grievances, and initiates personnel actions as needed.
  • Interviews and selects employees.
  • Demonstrates familiarity with emergency and safety procedures in order to prevent damage to equipment or accidents to personnel.
  • Operates and maintains high pressure boilers, firing methods and equipment, combustion control systems.
  • Handles auxiliary equipment such as forced draft fans, feed water pumps, valves, regulators.
  • Handles auxiliary equipment such as oil pumps, air compressors, feed water treatment meters, gauges, and recorders.
  • Prevents damage to equipment or accidents to personnel.
  • Demonstrates familiarity with safety procedures.
  • Drafts routine memorandums.
  • Drafts specifications for recurring maintenance services.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 6:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Not Authorized
Position Description Title/PD#: Boiler Plant Operator Supervisor/PD523-00310-A
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not authorized
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
Permanent Change of Station: Not authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

Notifications:
  • This position is in the Competitive Service.
  • This is not a Bargaining Unit position.
  • Selectee required to serve one year supervisory/managerial probationary period.
  • Current Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held.
  • This position is covered by locality-based comparability pay.
  • Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.
  • The incumbent may be required to travel to other VA Boston Healthcare System campuses and CBOC's.
  • Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
  • You may be required to serve a probationary period
  • Subject to background/security investigation
  • Pre-employment physical required
  • 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.
  • 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, 05/19/2025.

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
  • Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (Other Than Blueprint Reading)
  • Ability to Lead or Supervise
  • Dexterity and Safety
  • Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation, and Repair, etc.
  • Operation of Job Family Specify Equipment, Machinery, etc.
  • Technical Practices (Theoretical, Precise, Artistic)
  • Use of Measuring Instruments


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: Incumbent is subject to frequent standing, walking, kneeling, crawling, and climbing of ladders and scaffolds for inspections.

Working Conditions: Incumbent works inside in constant high temperatures for the boilers. The incumbent is exposed to the danger of steam leaks, oil fumes and flue gases. Cuts, bruises, burns, and broken bones may result from accidents while working on equipment.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or 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. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. 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.

Resume Reminder: Your resume must include the following information each job listed:

  1. Job title
  2. Duties (be as detailed as possible)
  3. Month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008)
  4. Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)
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.

An incomplete application will receive a rating of IFFM (ineligible due to missing forms). Requests for reconsideration will not be considered for applicants who fail to submit a complete application package. We cannot be held responsible for incompatible software or fax transmissions.

Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

  • Resume
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action


The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.
  • Cover Letter
  • Resume
  • Separation Notice (RIF)
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

How to Apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 05/19/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12730810.

  1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USA JOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS 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.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified (have a final rating of 85 or more) for this vacancy. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.

Agency contact information

Julia Murdoch
Address
VA Boston Healthcare System
940 Belmont Street
Brockton, MA 02301
US

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications 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. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

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.

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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