Boiler Plant Operator

Summary This position is aligned under the Facilities Services, at the Tomah VA Medical Center, Tomah, WI. The Boiler Plant Operator will be tasked with operation and maintenance of High pressure Boilers in a Centralized Plant in accordance with VA Directive 1810 with emphasis placed on efficient and safe plant operation. The Boiler Plant Operator will also be tasked with the operation and maintenance of Low Pressure/Hot Water Boilers serving several small buildings on the Tomah VA. Responsibilities Operates and Maintains High Pressure Boilers and Auxiliary Equipment. Lights off, operates, secures, and maintains power boilers and associated auxiliary`s and pollution control equipment. Operates dampers, induced, and forced draft fans, heat exchangers, fuel and air heaters, pumps, fuel pressure, control valves, fuel strainers, relief valves, water softeners, and other similar equipment. Regulates fuel feed and water levels and maintains required steam pressure and temperatures. Replenishes chemical feed tanks and monitor feed water conditioning equipment to control or remove impurities and entrapped gases. Ensures completion of equipment overhaul and the preparation of boilers for inspection. Independently starts, adjusts, maintains, and periodically monitors water level, fuel feed, pressure, and other gauges to assure efficient operation. Operates and maintains a Back-Up Fuel Supply for boilers consisting of three 30,000 gallon propane tanks with a Nitrogen actuated emergency shutdown system to secure propane supply in an emergency. Operates and maintains liquid propane vaporizing equipment to provide a propane gas product to the boiler burners. Performs other related duties as assigned. Starts/Stops, Maintains, Repairs High Pressure Boilers and Associated Auxiliary Equipment Operates boiler plants with capacity of 20,000 to 80,000 pounds of steam per hour. Maintains efficient combustion levels and ensure compliance with air pollution laws or regulations. Conducts rounds and documenting operating parameters for this equipment every four-hours on a 24/7 basis. Conducts water quality testing and treat water based on the results to maintain boilers in peak operating condition. Tests and maintains all boiler safety devices in accordance with and as required by the VA Directive 1810 and safety device test manual current edition. Documents all plant activity in the Boiler Plant Event Log and relays instructions to the following shift including problems encountered and action taken to correct. Work Schedule: Full time, 8-hr shift, 24-hrs per week, 7-days per week-rotating. Position Description Title/PD#: Boiler Plant Operator/PD24169A Physical Requirements: Frequently works 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, and with assistance, carries items weighing over 40 pounds. Working Conditions: Mainly works indoors but occasionally works 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. Works in the central steam generating plant, subject to extreme noise from air compressors, fans, motors, and other equipment in use. Frequently works in areas of high ambient temperature and humidity levels. The incumbent will make rounds on the low-pressure campus boilers to log operational parameters and perform safety device testing and maintain the low pressure units. Occasionally subject to the hazards of cuts and burns from contact with boilers and high pressure steam burst and heat. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications 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: Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (Other Than Blueprint Reading) Dexterity and Safety Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation, and Repair, etc. Operation of Job Family Specify Equipment, Machinery, etc. Technical Practices Use of Measuring Instruments 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. Education Additional Information VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. 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 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 to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.