Boiler Plant Operator

The Boiler Plant Operator position is located in the Engineering Service of the VA Medical Center in Memphis, TN and is assigned to the operations, maintenance and repair of the Boiler Operator.

Qualifications:

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/30/2025.

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:

• Dexterity and Safety
• Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair
• Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading)
• Interpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading)
• Measuring Instruments
• Operation of Equipment/Machinery
• Technical Practices

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/Working Conditions: Boiler Plant Operator frequently works in confined areas in and around boiler and support equipment. The work requires moderate to strenuous effort and long periods of walking, standing, climbing, bending, and crouching. Operator must be able to lift and carry heavy parts and equipment weighing up to fifty pounds. Must make repairs from ladders, scaffolding and platforms, stretch, bend and crawl through small openings such as 12"X16" elliptical opening.

Responsibilities:

Incumbent is assigned to the operations, maintenance, and repair of the Boiler Plant on rotating shifts. When working night shift, weekends and holidays, incumbent is unsupervised and acts in a decision-making capacity. During this time, incumbent is responsible for insuring that all operational techniques and maintenance procedures are carried out. Also, after regular working hours, weekends, and holidays, incumbent receives emergency trouble calls on all medical center equipment All of the calls that are received must be coordinated with the Environmental Conditioning Plant Operator to see what corrective action can be taken and then incumbent must call Engineering personnel in on overtime to make repairs as necessary. Major duties include, but not limited to:

• Possesses knowledge of various boiler plant operations.
• Plans, lays out, sets up, and carries through all boiler plant operations to complete a task.
• Ability to operate boilers, feed water systems, fuel systems, and chemical treatment.
• Skills is assembling, installing, and repairing various boiler plant equipment and machines.
• Performs duties of boiler plant operator on rotating shifts unsupervised.
• Performs as the afterhours call center for emergency trouble calls on all medical center equipment and coordinate with Environmental Conditioning Plant Operator to determine corrective actions needed.
• Operates four large boiler multiple drum water tube boilers with automatic controls.
• Conducts testing of boiler safety devices.
• Shifts boilers from natural gas to fuel oil when required.
• Collects & test boiler water samples, chemically treat boilers based on sample results.
• Performs repairs on valves, such as disassembling, cleaning, re-assembling and packing.
• Operate pumps and maintain pumps.
• Ability to align & secure feed, condensate & steam systems to provide steam to the hospital at the proper operating temperature & pressure.
• Ability to adapt proper instrument to perform assigned work in the boiler plant.
• Has knowledge of boiler plant operations terminology and symbology
• Knowledge in the proper use of various personal protective equipment required in performing boiler plant operations.

Work Schedule: Operate on an 8-hour shift, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week and must rotate the different shifts at planned intervals.
Position Description Title/PD#: Boiler Plant Operator/PD50100-A

Salary : $27