Boiler Plant Helper - Trainee

Summary

The Technical Career Field (TCF) is a national workforce development program within the Veterans Healthcare Administration that was designed to replenish technical staff in critically identified positions. Employee will serve as a Boiler Plant Helper - TCF/Trainee.

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Duties



NOTE: This announcement supports vacancies in several duty locations. The salary listed in the announcement represents the base salary range for the WG-5 level. Actual locality pay will be determined at the time of selection based on the duty location of the position. Applicants may choose up to three locations for consideration and includes: Fresno, CA; Marion, IL; Muskogee, OK; and North Little Rock, AR. Recruitment/Relocation Incentives are not authorized.

The TCF career fields represent those technical fields where VA-specific knowledge and experience is desirable for success in the field. Individuals selected follow a formal training plan for two years during which they are trained, coached, and supervised by a preceptor. Preceptors are selected annually, through an extensive application process, for their technical expertise, their commitment to training and the suitability of their facility as a training location. *Selectees will be required to sign Mobility, Training, and Continued Service Agreements.

This is a developmental position leading to a WG-9, performing assignments intended to broaden skills and provide practical experience leading to progressively more complex assignments performed under progressively less supervision. You will ultimately acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of WG-9. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher-level work, and availability of funds.

Duties will include, but may not be limited to the following:

• Works closely with preceptor and follows detailed instructions to maintain continuous operations of the plant.
• Applies knowledge of the structure and operating characteristics of boilers and associated equipment, includes the location and functions of numerous pumps, valves, regulators, gauges, recording instruments, controls, power operated dampers, and other equipment associated with clean, safe, and efficient boiler operation.
• Applies knowledge of chemical and physical characteristics of fuel and combustion, of water tending analysis, and chemical treatments, and understanding of individual and combined effective of chemical additives.
• Applies knowledge of operations necessary to start-up, shut-down, and re-start procedures.
• Uses hand and specialized tools associated with the Boiler Plant trade.
• Performs preventive maintenance and operational repairs such as cleaning equipment, greasing, and oiling moving machinery parts, repaint equipment, repack valves, replace pumps, and assists in more difficult repairs and replacements.
• Performs other duties as necessary.
  
  

Work Schedule: Boiler Plant is a 24-hour per day, 7 days per week operation and tour of duty will be on a full-time basis with rotating work shifts as needed for continuous operations of the Boiler Plant.

Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized

Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved

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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
• Pre-employment physical required
• Subject to background/security investigation
• 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)
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.
  
  

Qualifications

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS: Works from ladders, scaffolding, platforms, and elevated catwalks. Work may be at or above ground levels. Frequently works in confined areas in and around boilers and support equipment. Requires moderate to strenuous effort and long periods of walking, standing, climbing, bending, reaching, stooping, and crouching, as the work site dictates. Frequently lifts and carries boiler parts and chemical supplies up to 50 pounds unassisted, and over 50 pounds with assistance. Submits to an annual physical examination as per Veterans Affairs protocol.

Mainly works indoors but occasionally outside for short periods of time. Subject to high temperatures, constant noise, rotation machinery, soot, dirt, grease, chemicals, oil and fumes. Subject to cuts and abrasions from the use of tools and equipment, and burns from acids, caustics, hot water, steam and contact with boilers.

(SCREEN-OUT): Ability to do the work as a Boiler Plant Helper - TCF/Trainee without more than normal supervision. As supported by my resume, I have an understanding of Boiler Plant Operations, applying knowledge of the structure and operating characteristics of boilers and associated equipment to perform preventive maintenance and operational repairs, using hand and specialized tools common to the trade. I am able to work closely with preceptors to follow instructions and agree to sign the Mobility, Training, and Continued Service Agreement.

Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Federal Wage System Qualifications. For this position, the job element method is used to match what you, the applicant, can do against what the work calls for. Your knowledge, skills and abilities will be compared to the knowledge, skills and abilities (called job elements) needed for success. Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element (WG-2 and higher only; screen-outs are not applicable to WG-1). Applicants who appear to meet the screen out element are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated from consideration. The potential eligibles are rated against the remainder of the job elements. While a specific length of training and experience is not required, your responses to the questionnaire must be supported by detailed descriptions of your experience on your resume.

You will be rated on the following Job Elements as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position:

• Dexterity and Safety
• Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair
• Interpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading)
• Measuring Instruments
• Operation of Equipment/Machinery
• Technical Practices
• Without more than normal supervision
  
  
  

IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. 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.



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). 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.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

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. 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.

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• Help 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.
  
  

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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.