Boiler Plant Operator

Job Title Boiler Plant Operator/PD14734A Duties Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Operation of auxiliary equipment such as deaerating feed water tank, two water softeners, three city water booster pumps, three feed water pumps and condensate return tank with two pumps, microprocessor control systems, automated chemical feed system, distilled water system, controlled air compressors, and automated boiler blowdown system. Provide operational adjustments to the burner management system. Maintain records and logs of plant operating conditions, including hourly readings of outside air temperature, condensate return temperature, stack temperature, oxygen stack percentage, and carbon dioxide percentages. Maintain proper chemistry control of boiler water, condensate, and feedwater. Perform daily boiler water test. Adjust Amines, Phosphate and Sulfite to maintain proper water qualities. Perform daily maintenance and preventative maintenance determined by scheduled activities such as steam trap maintenance, valve maintenance, greasing of equipment and other predetermined tasks. Provide technical input on pump operations and controls. Repair and adjust boiler combustion controls and boiler safety devices and individual air compressors for each boiler for steam atomizing. Use of diagrams, drawings, operating manuals, or facility procedures to be followed during emergencies, equipment failure, or system malfunction. Mastery of industrial practices for maintenance and repair of equipment. Maintain cleanliness during maintenance work on boiler plant equipment. Perform other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule Full-Time, Various tours of duties and shifts to include weekends and holidays mornings, evenings, and overnight shifts, depending on the needs of the service. (For Example: 6:00 am - 2:00 pm; 2:00 pm - 10:00 pm OR 10:00 pm - 6:00 am) Physical Requirements The duty of this position requires the incumbent to be in good physical condition. The incumbent must be able to work at various heights, such as working from ladders, work on pneumatic lifts, inside confined spaces such as inside boiler drums and various water storage tanks. The incumbent shall be able to work in positions such as standing, stooping, bending and other tiring and uncomfortable positions. The incumbent shall be frequently required to lift objects weighing over forty (40) pounds and occasionally lift objects weighing over ninety (90) pounds. Working Conditions The operators work under extremes of heat, cold, dust and dampness on a regular basis, Work may occur when no other VA employees are present in the Boiler Plant or are present in at the facility. The operator comes in contact with hazardous chemicals such as caustics, acids, phosphates, amines, and hydroxides and steam and hazardous equipment. The incumbent may be exposed to the possibility of cuts, bruises and irritations and is required to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when necessary.