- Position Title
- Boiler Plant Operator
- Agency
- Veterans Health Administration
- Announcement Number
- CBTF-12710126-25-CW Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Friday, March 21, 2025 to Monday, September 22, 2025
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1.
Do you claim Veterans’ Preference?
2.
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from the agency hiring for this position? If yes, confirm:
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
- you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
- you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
- your grade is equivalent to or below the grade level of the vacancy; AND,
- your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
3.
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a federal agency other than the Department of Veterans Affairs? If yes, confirm:
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
- you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
- you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
- you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
- your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
Preferences
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.
If you responded yes to any of the items below, you will need to include a SF-50 specifying your prior service.
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.
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
Thank you for your interest in our Boiler Plant Operator position. Be sure to read and understand the 'Area of Consideration' and the 'Qualifications' for this position before submitting your application. If you have questions please email me at courtnie.wilson@va.gov
Select the appropriate answer to each of the following questions based on your current level of 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.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
1.
For the Boiler Plant Operator, WG-5402-9, are you able to do the work of the position without more than normal supervision?
2.
Individual must be able to determine when to bring another boiler on line or to remove a boiler from operation in the least amount of time.
3.
Individual must be able to change load demands while maintain safe levels and efficient combustion.
4.
Operates the boiler with Natural Gas as the primary fuel with No. 2 fuel oil providing backup from a 150,000 gallon above ground fuel storage tank.
5.
Recognizes, interprets and react to variety of problems that may be indicated on chart recorders, gauges, and/or meters which indicate steam flow, steam pressure, feed water flow and temperatures and make necessary adjustments to prevent the loss of a boiler(s).
6.
Operates and maintain feed water and condensate regulators and pumps, combustion control equipment, dr.-aerating equipment, dr.-alkalizers, and special safety equipment such as relief valves and flame failure devices.
7.
Incumbent will be required to work irregular tours of duty as required to support plant operations, participate in training activities and assist with any emergencies.
8.
Use of manual, automatic microprocessor controls or control system to monitor, adjust, and control all phases of the boiler plant operations.
9.
Operates all boiler auxiliary equipment such as automatic boiler controls, feed water heaters, pumps, forced and induced draft fans, and water softeners
10.
Keep steam in the patient areas if a power, water, or steam failure occurs.
11.
The incumbent tests, adjusts, maintains, and repairs boiler safety devices such as flame safeguard systems, pressure switches, pressure differential switches, limit switches, timers, water column safety devices, electric/electronic probes and sensors, steam safety valves, and automatic/manual fuel valves.
12.
Maintains the proper percentages of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and oxygen.
13.
Adjust firing controls for the correct air fuel mixture, adjust fuel feeds, and air drafts to obtain the most efficient air fuel mixture for maximum combustion efficiency and energy conservation.
14.
Maintains efficient combustion levels to ensure compliance with air pollution laws, pollution levels are monitored regularly by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) and other regulatory agencies.
15.
Takes boiler and condensate return water samples and run test to determine specifics such as acidity, causticity, and alkalinity using reagents, color sides and other standards.
16.
Individual must be responsible for the start operation, adjustment, shut-down, maintenance and repair of four (4) 1967 Cleaver Brooks Boiler capacity of 37,000 lbs, steam per hour at a maximum pressure of 270 psig with a normal operating pressure of 120 psig
17.
Determines the type and amount of chemicals to be added to the boilers and the condensate return system for control of corrosion and scale formation.
18.
Will test and analyze feed water, boiler water, and condensate using standard chemical tests.
19.
Test and replace wires, switches, and other basic electrical components.
20.
Performs journeyman level steamfitter work independently.
21.
Performs journeyman level electrician work independently such as wire pumps, fabricate extension cords, replace fan belts, install electric motors, install high/low pressure switches on fuel line systems, disconnect electric line from auto blown down valves, and grease all electric motors, valves and pumps.
22.
Operates emergency electrical generators to meet plant electrical requirements when the main electrical source is unable to provide the necessary power.