Boiler Plant Operator

This position is located in the Maintenance and Operations section (M&O, under Engineering Service at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), VA Medical Center, in Marion, IL. The primary purpose of this position is to perform a variety of functions, including operating and maintaining the facility's boilers. To qualify for this position at the WG-9 level, you must meet the following: (SCREEN-OUT) Ability to perform the duties of the Boiler Plant Operator Leader without more than normal supervision. Experience includes safe and efficient operation and maintenance of all Boiler Plant equipment; knowledge of installation, modification, maintenance and repair, and troubleshooting of commercial fire tube boilers; checking inventory of shop supplies and materials to ensure that proper quantity is on hand at all times; ordering needed equipment, parts and supplies to complete repairs; assigning work orders; planning, coordinating and directing the work of personnel assigned to their work section. (Your experience must be documented in your resume to receive full credit.) A Quality Ranking Factor * has been requested by the facility to help determine which of the basically qualified applicants are likely to be better qualified for a position. The quality ranking factor for this position is: "Experience conducting water chemistry tests and applying the correct chemical treatment procedures?" * Quality Ranking Factors are skills, knowledge, abilities, or other worker characteristics which could be expected to result in superior performance on the job. Quality ranking factors will not be used for screening but may be used as ranking criteria. Applicants with higher proficiency levels may rank above those with lower proficiency levels on a quality ranking factor. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Frequently work in confined areas in and around boilers. 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 40 pounds unassisted. Occasionally carries items weighing over 40 pounds (with assistance) WORKING CONDITIONS: Mainly works indoors but occasionally work outside for short periods of time. Subject to high temperatures, constant noise, rotating 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. Work on catwalks and ladders. 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 Quality Ranking Factor 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr