USA Staffing

Position Title: Boiler Plant Operator
Agency: Veterans Health Administration
Announcement Number: CBTE-12698323-25-AJ Opens in new window
Open Period: Thursday, March 20, 2025 to Thursday, April 3, 2025

For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.

1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference?

A. No, I do not claim Veterans' Preference

B. 0-point Sole Survivorship Preference (SSP)

C. 5-point preference based on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces (TP)

D. 10-point preference for non-compensable disability or Purple Heart (XP)

E. 10-point preference based on a compensable service connected disability of at least 10% but less than 30% (CP)

F. 10 point preference based on widow/widower or parent of a deceased veteran, or spouse or parent of a disabled veteran (XP)

G. 10-point preference based on a compensable service connected disability of 30% or more (CPS)

1. Which of the following items describes your current or recent (within the last five years) political appointee service?

If you responded yes to any of the items below, you will need to include a SF-50 specifying your prior service.

A. Yes, I am considered a political appointee as described under 5 U.S.C. sections 5312 through 5316.

B. Yes, I am considered a Non-career Senior Executive Service (SES), Limited Term SES, Limited Emergency SES Executive Branch employee.

C. Yes, I am considered a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or appointee who served in a political capacity under agency-specific authority in the Executive Branch.

D. Yes, I am considered a political appointee in the Executive Branch (as described in a., b. or c above) in a covered position in an agency having an interchange agreement with OPM, which allows movement from the agency's system to the competitive civil service.

E. None of the above. I am not considered a current or recent (last 5 years) political appointee as described above in items a, b, c, or d.

Your resume must be submitted in English and include the following information for each job listed:

Job title Duties (be as detailed as possible)
Month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008)
Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)
Series and Grade, if applicable, for all Federal positions you have held
Please be aware that your answers will be verified against information provided on your resume. Be sure that your resume clearly supports your responses to all of the questions by addressing your work experience in detail.

Recommended: Even though we do not require a specific resume format, your resume must be clear so that we are able to fully evaluate your qualifications. To ensure you receive appropriate consideration, please list the duties you performed under each individual job title. If we are unable to match your experiences with the positions held, you may lose consideration for this vacancy. We cannot make assumptions regarding your qualifications. Do not include a photograph or video of yourself, or any sensitive information (age, date of birth, marital status, protected health information, religious affiliation, social security number, etc.) on your resume or cover letter. We will not access web pages or encrypted, and digitally signed documents linked on your resume or cover letter to determine your qualifications.

By submitting your application, you are certifying, to the best of your knowledge and belief, all the information submitted by you with your application for employment is true, complete, and made in good faith, and that you have truthfully and accurately represented your work experience, knowledge, skills, abilities and education (degrees, accomplishments, etc.). The information you provide as part of your application may be investigated. You are also certifying, and acknowledging, that misrepresenting your experience or education, or providing false or fraudulent information in, or with your application, may affect your eligibility for appointment and/or continued employment. False or fraudulent statements may be punishable by fine or imprisonment (18 U.S.C. 1001).

Assessment 1

Select the appropriate answer to each of the following questions based on your current level of education and/or experience that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of this position. When answering the questionnaire, remember that your experience and education are subject to verification by investigation. You may be asked to provide specific examples or documentation of experience or education as proof to support your answers, or you may be required to verify a response by a practical demonstration of your claimed ability to perform a task.

RESUME REMINDER- Your resume must include the following information each job listed: Job title Duties (be as detailed as possible) Month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008) Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week) Please be aware that your answers will be verified against information provided on your resume. Be sure that your resume clearly supports your responses to all of the questions by addressing your work experience in detail. Recommended: Even though we do not require a specific resume format, your resume must be clear so that we are able to fully evaluate your qualifications. To ensure you receive appropriate consideration, please list the duties you performed under each individual job title. If we are unable to match your experiences with the positions held, you may lose consideration for this vacancy. We cannot make assumptions regarding your qualifications.

Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).

1. (Screen Out Element) Do you possess the ability to do the work of WG-5402-10 Boiler Plant Operator without more than normal supervision? Specifically operating a high pressure boiler plant which consists of two 150HP water tube boilers, two 250HP fire tube boiler; two Natural gas fired Domestic Hot Water Boilers (3MBTU each) and support equipment.

A. Yes

B. No

Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.

2. Knowledge and skills to adhere to OSHA guidelines in proper LOTO (Lock out / Tag out) procedures and the use of proper PPE while performing job function.

A. I know little or nothing about this.

B. I have had study or training in this.

C. I have used my knowledge or ability, but I have been closely supervised.

D. I have used my knowledge or ability on my own, under normal supervision.

E. I am consulted by other journeypersons in difficult situations, or I am called on to do unusually difficult jobs.

3. Skill in reading and analyzing information from gauges, meters, and displays to determine operational status.

A. I know little or nothing about this.

B. I have had study or training in this.

C. I have used my knowledge or ability, but I have been closely supervised.

D. I have used my knowledge or ability on my own, under normal supervision.

E. I am consulted by other journeypersons in difficult situations, or I am called on to do unusually difficult jobs.

4. Ability to maintain reading logs of gauges, meters, detectors, recorders, boiler feed-water indicators, analog displays, and computer generated displays

A. I know little or nothing about this.

B. I have had study or training in this.

C. I have used my knowledge or ability, but I have been closely supervised.

D. I have used my knowledge or ability on my own, under normal supervision.

E. I am consulted by other journeypersons in difficult situations, or I am called on to do unusually difficult jobs.

5. Skill and ability to maintain and safely operate dual fueled fire tube boilers

A. I know little or nothing about this.

B. I have had study or training in this.

C. I have used my knowledge or ability, but I have been closely supervised.

D. I have used my knowledge or ability on my own, under normal supervision.

E. I am consulted by other journeypersons in difficult situations, or I am called on to do unusually difficult jobs.

6. Operate, adjust, and maintain auxiliary control equipment. Such as electrical driven pumps, deaerators, feed-water pumps, and condensate pumps.

A. I know little or nothing about this.

B. I have had study or training in this.

C. I have used my knowledge or ability, but I have been closely supervised.

D. I have used my knowledge or ability on my own, under normal supervision.

E. I am consulted by other journeypersons in difficult situations, or I am called on to do unusually difficult jobs.

For each technical area below, select the response that most accurately describes your current level of experience and demonstrated capability.

7. Test and analyze the feed water, boiler water, and condensate using standard chemical testing equipment

A. I have no knowledge or demonstrated capability in this technical area.

B. I can demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental concepts involved in this technical area. I will require formal training and close supervision to perform this work.

C. I can demonstrate an understanding of some advanced concepts within this technical area and am capable of working on most projects in this technical area with moderate assistance. I am able to perform this work with minimal supervision.

D. I can demonstrate an understanding of many advanced concepts within this technical area and am capable of mentoring others on some projects in this technical area. I am able to perform this work without supervision except in the most complex situations.

E. I can demonstrate an understanding of most advanced concepts within this technical area. I am considered an expert in the field and am frequently consulted by others about this technical area. I am responsible for mentoring and training others in this technical area.

Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.

8. Perform routine maintenance to include but not limited to lubrication of equipment, replacing packing in valves, changing valves, and calibrating gauges as needed.

A. I know little or nothing about this.

B. I have had study or training in this.

C. I have used my knowledge or ability, but I have been closely supervised.

D. I have used my knowledge or ability on my own, under normal supervision.

E. I am consulted by other journeypersons in difficult situations, or I am called on to do unusually difficult jobs.

9. Making judgments and decisions based on supervisory guidance and protocol.

A. I know little or nothing about this.

B. I have had study or training in this.

C. I have used my knowledge or ability, but I have been closely supervised.

D. I have used my knowledge or ability on my own, under normal supervision.

E. I am consulted by other journeypersons in difficult situations, or I am called on to do unusually difficult jobs.

10. Ability to receive calls, determine responsibility, and dispatch appropriate personnel for service calls for after normal working hours.

A. I know little or nothing about this.

B. I have had study or training in this.

C. I have used my knowledge or ability, but I have been closely supervised.

D. I have used my knowledge or ability on my own, under normal supervision.

E. I am consulted by other journeypersons in difficult situations, or I am called on to do unusually difficult jobs.

11. Ability to receive and off load fuel deliveries

A. I know little or nothing about this.

B. I have had study or training in this.

C. I have used my knowledge or ability, but I have been closely supervised.

D. I have used my knowledge or ability on my own, under normal supervision.

E. I am consulted by other journeypersons in difficult situations, or I am called on to do unusually difficult jobs.

12. Performing efficient and economical generation of steam producing systems.

A. I know little or nothing about this.

B. I have had study or training in this.

C. I have used my knowledge or ability, but I have been closely supervised.

D. I have used my knowledge or ability on my own, under normal supervision.

E. I am consulted by other journeypersons in difficult situations, or I am called on to do unusually difficult jobs.

13. Skill and knowledge to perform maintenance troubleshooting and repair of mechanical equipment

A. I know little or nothing about this.

B. I have had study or training in this.

C. I have used my knowledge or ability, but I have been closely supervised.

D. I have used my knowledge or ability on my own, under normal supervision.

E. I am consulted by other journeypersons in difficult situations, or I am called on to do unusually difficult jobs.

14. Ability to read and interpret drawings and circuit diagrams of the boiler plant piping and auxiliary equipment to quickly locate defects in the systems.

A. I know little or nothing about this.

B. I have had study or training in this.

C. I have used my knowledge or ability, but I have been closely supervised.

D. I have used my knowledge or ability on my own, under normal supervision.

E. I am consulted by other journeypersons in difficult situations, or I am called on to do unusually difficult jobs.

15. Knowledge, skill, and ability to safely use hand and power tools as well as the ability to read and use multi-meters, PH, and conductivity meters.

A. I know little or nothing about this.

B. I have had study or training in this.

C. I have used my knowledge or ability, but I have been closely supervised.

D. I have used my knowledge or ability on my own, under normal supervision.

E. I am consulted by other journeypersons in difficult situations, or I am called on to do unusually difficult jobs.

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