What are the responsibilities and job description for the Boiler Plant Operator position at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs?
Summary
This position serves as the Boiler Operator for the Overton Brooks Veterans Affairs Medical Center (OBVAMC). The OBVAMC covers 40 /- acres and approximately 720,000 gross building square footage and has three CBOC locations, Longview and Texarkana, Texas, and Monroe Louisiana. This position works under the general supervision of the Operations Supervisor, Maintenance and Operations Section
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Duties
Duties include:
Work Schedule: Monday thorugh Friday; 8:00am-4:30pm; subject to change based on the needs of the facility.
Position Description Title/PD#: Boiler Plant Operator/PD07465A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Physical Requirements: This position requires walking, standing, bending, lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling moderately heavy loads daily and occasionally heavy loads. Incumbent must be in good physical condition, have good eyesight with or without glasses. Frequently work in confined areas in and around boilers, pumps, tanks, and HVAC equipment. Requires moderate to strenuous effort and long periods of walking, standing, climbing, bending, and crouching. Frequently lift and carry boiler parts and chemical supplies weighing up to 50 pounds unassisted. Occasionally, and with assistance, carries items weighing over 50 pounds.
Working Conditions: This position is exposed frequently to temperature extremes, drafts, dampness, water, electrical and chemical hazards, and noise for work conditions. Most of the work takes place in an industrial environment but does require work outdoors, exposed to the elements. Incumbent will frequently encounter ladders, catwalks, confined spaces, scaffolding and platforms etc. Incumbent could be subjected to hazards normally encountered in the trade and may be exposed to asbestos. Incumbents are subject to cuts and abrasions from the use of tools and equipment and burns from acids, caustics, hot water, steam, and contact with piping and boilers. This position requires working rotating shifts and overtime.
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Requirements
Conditions of Employment
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by 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:
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.
Education
This job does not have an education qualification requirement.
Additional information
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 (TJO). Please visit the Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP), va.gov/EMPLOYEE/docs/The-Fair-Chance-to-Compete-Act.pdf for more information.
The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website which can be found at https://www.opm.gov/.
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. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. 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.
Read more
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.
This position serves as the Boiler Operator for the Overton Brooks Veterans Affairs Medical Center (OBVAMC). The OBVAMC covers 40 /- acres and approximately 720,000 gross building square footage and has three CBOC locations, Longview and Texarkana, Texas, and Monroe Louisiana. This position works under the general supervision of the Operations Supervisor, Maintenance and Operations Section
Help
Duties
Duties include:
- Maintains, repairs and makes adjustment to the automatic chemical feed system.
- Operates, maintains and repairs oil pumps, including filters, pre-heaters and metering devices.
- Inspects, observes, troubleshoots removes, checks for wear, clean, replace, repair, adjust, test and maintain complicated boiler plant systems and equipment to critical and rigid specifications and tolerances.
- Maintains a concise and accurate narrative log on plant conditions and communicating plant status to supervisor, mechanics, and next shift operator.
- Applies a comprehensive knowledge of the principles and theories pertaining to combustion, heat transfer and all operational phases of boiler plant operations.
- Applies a thorough knowledge and understanding of standard practices and applicable codes.
- Maintains constant observation of low meters and charts to determine how much steam is being produced
- Use measuring instruments such as gauges, meters, recorders and computer generated data to determine operation status and make necessary adjustments.
- Determines proper amount of chemicals to be added to the boiler and amount of time needed to blow down excess solids.
- Interprets diagrams, drawings, and operational manuals.
- Adheres to repair manuals to properly complete required repairs.
- Makes adjustments to operating systems, equipment and controls determining the needs for shutting down or firing up additional boilers.
- The incumbent will use and troubleshoot manual and automatic, or microprocessor controls or control systems for operating boilers and auxiliary equipment.
- Alert to potential hazards and takes precautions to protect self and others.
- Performs routine house-keeping duties maintaining a safe, clean and orderly work environment.
- Uses and assures proper fit of required safety equipment and clothing.
- Maintains steam pressure when fuel change overs occur due to drops in natural gas pressure from cold weather.
- Operates all boiler plant and auxiliary equipment to meet changing demands.
- Operates three 250-HP fire tube four pass high-pressure boiler.
Work Schedule: Monday thorugh Friday; 8:00am-4:30pm; subject to change based on the needs of the facility.
Position Description Title/PD#: Boiler Plant Operator/PD07465A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Physical Requirements: This position requires walking, standing, bending, lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling moderately heavy loads daily and occasionally heavy loads. Incumbent must be in good physical condition, have good eyesight with or without glasses. Frequently work in confined areas in and around boilers, pumps, tanks, and HVAC equipment. Requires moderate to strenuous effort and long periods of walking, standing, climbing, bending, and crouching. Frequently lift and carry boiler parts and chemical supplies weighing up to 50 pounds unassisted. Occasionally, and with assistance, carries items weighing over 50 pounds.
Working Conditions: This position is exposed frequently to temperature extremes, drafts, dampness, water, electrical and chemical hazards, and noise for work conditions. Most of the work takes place in an industrial environment but does require work outdoors, exposed to the elements. Incumbent will frequently encounter ladders, catwalks, confined spaces, scaffolding and platforms etc. Incumbent could be subjected to hazards normally encountered in the trade and may be exposed to asbestos. Incumbents are subject to cuts and abrasions from the use of tools and equipment and burns from acids, caustics, hot water, steam, and contact with piping and boilers. This position requires working rotating shifts and overtime.
Help
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
- Subject to a background/suitability investigation
- 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.
- Pre-employment Physical required.
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by 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:
- Dexterity and Safety
- Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair
- Interpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading)
- Measuring Instruments
- Operation of Equipment/Machinery
- Technical Practices
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.
Education
This job does not have an education qualification requirement.
Additional information
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 (TJO). Please visit the Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP), va.gov/EMPLOYEE/docs/The-Fair-Chance-to-Compete-Act.pdf for more information.
The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website which can be found at https://www.opm.gov/.
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. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. 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.
Read more
- 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.
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.
Salary : $28 - $32
