Power Plant Operator

Summary This position is located in the Architect of the Capitol (AOC); Office of the Chief Operating Officer (OCO); Director, Utilities and Power Plant Operations; Assistant Director Operations Division; Rotating Operations Branch A, B, C or D. Serves as a Power Plant Operator and is responsible for the safety, environmental compliance, reliability, efficiency, and operation of all equipment in the Capitol Power Plant (CPP) during the assigned shift. Responsibilities

• The incumbent of this position is considered Emergency Essential Employees and will be required to work in emergency situations and in inclement weather conditions.
• Tour of duty may include holidays, weekends and rotating shifts on a regular and recurring basis.
• Major Duties Include : The CPP operates around the clock to provide steam for heating and chilled water for air conditioning to the buildings of the U.S. Capitol, U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate. The incumbent is required to report to work during emergencies, failure of plant machinery and equipment, and inclement weather situations to support the critical mission of the CPP. This position may be filled at the WG-8, WG-10 or WG-11. If starting at the lower levels, developmental assignments will be given with the goal of attaining the full performance level. Promotions can be attained without further competition up to the WG-12. Duties quoted below are for the WG-11 level. PLANT OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE Operates the electric generation, steam and chilled water utility systems on a continuing basis. Uses plant equipment control systems to insure operation of all plant systems is within desired parameters and at the highest possible efficiency. Performs proper start-up and shutdown of plant machinery and equipment as instructed by a Supervisor and / or the Control Room Operator Leader. Properly responds to machinery and equipment malfunctions and casualties and restores the plant to normal operations. Takes immediate corrective action to safely operate the plant in accordance with all operating parameters and permits. Troubleshoots to determine the causes of unusual or improper operating conditions; evaluates the situation and initiates corrective actions to prevent recurrence of improper operation or equipment failure. Utilizes portable plant instrumentation such as thermal imaging cameras, refrigerant and combustible gas leak detectors, infrared scanning equipment, digital thermometers, borescopes and vibration testing equipment. Coordinates plant operations to maintain operational, environmental and energy efficiency goals in a manner that ensures plant reliability. Monitors the condition of the plant, coordinates actions between lower grade operators in the field and relays critical information to the Control Room Operator Leader. PROJECT / PROGRAM PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT Completes work as assigned or directed by the Control Room Operator Leader, Power Plant Operator Assistant Supervisor and / or the Power Plant Operator Supervisor. Observes work of lower grade wage grade employees in progress to anticipate and resolve problems. Investigates work-related problems such as inefficient plant operations and recommends solutions. Thoroughly familiar with the use of the plant TMA system to initiate plant work orders, insuring proper documentation and maintenance requests to correct plant deficiencies. Reviews Operations Division assigned work orders and planned maintenance actions on a daily basis. Completes assigned work orders and work order documentation and allocates time to the work order in a timely manner. Provides clear, technical and timely communication on engineering projects. Reviews and comments on project and design documents and drawings as provided to Operations by project personnel. Ensures that customer service disruption notifications are issued in a timely, professional and complete manner. Participates in all aspects of plant commissioning on both large and small projects. LIFE SAFETY LEADERSHIP Ensures that all scheduled safety training is completed on time. Schedules and ensures completion of personal medical surveillance examinations by the due date, as required by the agency. Provides a workplace free of recognized hazards and reports unsafe working conditions and / or hazards. Ensures adherence to the CPP Lock Out / Tag Out program. Maintain proficiency in LOTO procedures and provide feedback on how system can be improved. Applies LOTO as directed by the Power Plant Assistant Supervisor and / or the Power Plant Supervisor and / or Control Room Operator Leader. Participate in EARP Drills. Enforces the Capitol Power Plant safety policies and procedures. Participates in daily watch safety briefings at the beginning of the shift to identify and discuss any current safety issues or concerns. Performs plant safety inspections in accordance with assigned plant safety inspection checklists. Corrects or identifies deficiencies for shop repairs. ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE AND PLANT CHEMISTRY Ensures proper operation of all equipment at all times as directed by the operating CPP operating permits. Qualify to perform water chemistry testing and periodically conduct daily water testing when on shift and adjust chemical treatment systems to ensure that treatment levels are maintained within specification. Ensures plant chemical treatment parameters are understood and maintained at all times. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen. You must be able to pass a drug test. Your resume and question responses must demonstrate job-related elements. The work requires the selectee to obtain an EPA Universal Certification for refrigeration systems within the first year of employment. Qualifications You must meet all eligibility and qualification requirements by the closing date of the job announcement. You must meet the following SCREEN-OUT : Ability to do the work of a Power Plant Operator without more than normal supervision. Qualification at the WG-8 level : Is at the power plant operator worker level responsible for learning the safety, environmental compliance, reliability, efficiency, and operation of all equipment in the Capitol Power Plant. Requires specific and general knowledge in the fields of chilled water generation and distribution system operations, steam generation and distribution systems, electric generation and distribution systems, fire protection system and chemical treatments system operations. Requires practical and working knowledge of troubleshooting, maintenance, inspection, diagnosis, repair, replacement and operating experience. Requires working knowledge of steam and chilled water fundamental theory, understands basic thermodynamic concepts related to steam and chilled water systems, electric generation and transmission systems, chemical treatment systems for both steam and chilled water and basic math skills required to perform rudimentary performance and efficiency calculations. Qualification at the WG-10 level : Is at the power plant operator level responsible for the safety, environmental compliance, reliability, efficiency and operation of all equipment in the Capitol Power Plant. Requires specific and general knowledge in the fields of chilled water generation and distribution system operations, steam generation and distribution systems, electric generation and distribution systems, fire protection system and chemical treatments system operations. The position requires extensive practical knowledge in these fields that will allow them to monitor plant and staff performance, identify potential problems and work with staff to develop and implement situational solutions to restore unusually complex systems to normal service conditions. Requires extensive troubleshooting, maintenance, inspection, diagnosis, repair, replacement and operating experience. Further they will be required to apply this experience in practical applications and mentor subordinates to assist them in developing these skills. Requires knowledge on steam and chilled water fundamental theory, understand basic thermodynamic concepts related to steam and chilled water systems, electric generation and transmission systems, chemical treatment systems for both steam and chilled water and basic math skills required to perform rudimentary performance and efficiency calculations. Requires the ability to read a variety of engineering diagrams including equipment layout, plan view, flow diagrams, equipment O&M Manuals and Service Manuals. Qualification at the WG-11 level : Is at the power plant operator level responsible for the safety, environmental compliance, reliability, efficiency and operation of all equipment in the Capitol Power Plant. Requires specific and general knowledge in the fields of chilled water generation and distribution system operations, steam generation and distribution systems, electric generation and distribution systems, fire protection system and chemical treatments system operations. The position requires extensive practical knowledge in these fields that will allow them to monitor plant and staff performance, identify potential problems and work with staff to develop and implement situational solutions to restore unusually complex systems to normal service conditions. Requires extensive troubleshooting, maintenance, inspection, diagnosis, repair, replacement and operating experience. Further, they will be required to apply this experience in practical applications and mentor subordinates to assist them in developing these skills. Requires knowledge on steam and chilled water fundamental theory, understand basic thermodynamic concepts related to steam and chilled water systems, electric generation and transmission systems, chemical treatment systems for both steam and chilled water and basic math skills required to perform rudimentary performance and efficiency calculations. Requires the ability to read a variety of engineering diagrams including equipment layout, plan view, flow diagrams, P&ID diagrams, electrical schematics, equipment O&M Manuals and Service Manuals. Education Additional Information Welcome Veterans. The Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) gives veterans' preference rights in the legislative branch to certain veterans as applied by the Congressional Accountability Act. Veterans' preference is applied on this vacancy announcement. If you are a veteran and have been separated under honorable conditions, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility; SF-15, if applicable; and Department of Veterans Affairs documentation of disability, if applicable. For more information, please visit OPM vet guide If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System. If you are exempt from registration under Selective Service Law, you must provide appropriate proof of exemption. Please visit the Selective Service System website for more information. DRUG TESTING : The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) is a Drug Free Workplace. As part of the AOCs suitability assessment, a candidate tentatively selected for a position who is not currently an AOC employee is required to submit to screening for illegal drug use. Satisfactory completion of a drug test is a condition of employment with the Agency. A candidate must test negative prior to being eligible for appointment into a position. We will schedule, provide and cover the cost for the drug test. The selectee(s) under the vacancy announcement for this position is subject to a criminal record check by the U.S. Capitol Police and satisfactory adjudication to be eligible for employment at the Architect of the Capitol. The Architect of the Capitol is an E-VERIFY Participant. E-VERIFY is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment authorization in the United States. If you are selected for this position, the documentation that you present for purposes of completing the DHS Form I-9 will be verified through the DHS "E-VERIFY" electronic system. For more information on E-Verify, please visit http : / / www.dhs.gov / files / programs / gc_1185221678150.shtm The Architect of the Capitol is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information and / or disability. This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. Moving expenses are not authorized. Relocation expenses are not authorized. Probationary Period - A newly appointed selectee is subject to the completion of a one-year trial / probationary period, regardless of whether or not a trial / probationary period has been completed previously with the Architect of the Capitol or another Federal agency. This vacancy announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies in any of the jurisdictions of the Architect of the Capitol. All application materials become the property of the Architect of the Capitol.