- Position Title
- Boiler Plant Operator
- Agency
- Veterans Health Administration
- Announcement Number
- CBSV-12743408-25-SE Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Friday, May 30, 2025 to Monday, June 16, 2025
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1.
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.
2.
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).
2.
I authorize my application information being shared with hiring managers for similar positions. I understand this option may not result in further consideration for additional positions nor will it impact my application for this announcement.
3.
Are you willing to undergo a pre-employment physical?
Assessment 1
For each technical area below, select the response that most accurately describes your current level of experience and demonstrated capability.
1.
SCREEN-OUT ELEMENT - Do you have the ability to perform the duties of the Boiler Plant Operator without more than normal supervision? Related experience includes: Operating three, low-pressure fire tube boilers while protecting property, equipment and systems from damage and preventing the loss of human life. Responsible for maintaining an accurate and complete log of conditions and events. Operator uses electronic and pneumatic controls, charts, recorders, meters, gauges, and computer-generated data to determine adjustments or corrections necessary for proper boiler operations or changing load requirements. Operator maintains and analyzes the boiler water treatment program. Operator makes independent decisions and judgments regarding troubleshooting techniques, and modification and repair procedures. Incumbent uses tools such as manometers, multi-meters, combustion analyzer, test gauges, infrared thermometers, and dead-weight testers. Operator is required to do the majority of steam fitting, plumbing, painting, and housekeeping duties in the boiler plant. Is also required to perform minor electrical troubleshooting and repairs. Performs other duties as assigned.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
2.
Uses electronic and pneumatic controls, charts, recorders, meters, gauges and computer-generated data to determine adjustments or corrections necessary for proper boiler operations or changing load requirements.
3.
Operates auxiliary equipment including: unfired pressure vessels, centrifugal pumps, rotary pumps, piston pumps, forced draft fans, atomized air compressors, water softening units, fuel oil strainers and filters, steam traps and strainers, piping and valves.
4.
Adjusts and maintains auxiliary equipment including: unfired pressure vessels, centrifugal pumps, rotary pumps, piston pumps, forced draft fans, atomized air compressors, water softening units, fuel oil strainers and filters, steam traps and strainers, piping and valves.
5.
Repairs auxiliary equipment including: unfired pressure vessels, centrifugal pumps, rotary pumps, piston pumps, forced draft fans, atomized air compressors, water softening units, fuel oil strainers and filters, steam traps and strainers, piping and valves.
6.
Adjusts fuel feeds, volume and velocity of draft and other firebox variables to maintain combustion efficiencies.
7.
Observes and documents information such as pressures, temperatures, levels, and detectors to identify signs of trouble
8.
Maintains and analyzes the boiler water treatment program to prolong its life and prevent premature failure of pressure containing boiler components.
9.
Monitors plant status with Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) computer system.
10.
Monitors city water pressure alarm and alarm panels for #1 and #2 emergency diesel generator operations to ensure emergency power is supplied to the boiler plant in the event of a power outage.
11.
Monitors make-up feedwater consumption and notifies appropriate engineering personnel when there is an excessive use, indicating problems with the steam distribution or condensate return systems.
12.
Tests, adjusts, maintains and repairs boiler safety devices
13.
Applies knowledge of standard shop mathematics to accomplish pivotal and actuation points.
14.
Operate and be efficient with computer softwares, like Microsoft Words, Excel, Outlook and Windows-based systems
15.
Skilled in reading and analyzing information from gauges, meters, recorders, analog displays, and computer-generated data to determine the operational status of the plant and facilities and make necessary adjustments.
16.
Skilled in the use of necessary tools, equipment and materials required to calibrate, adjust, maintain and repair boiler and burner safety devices.
17.
Skilled in utilizing a wide range of blueprints, schematics, drawings and sketches in utilizing mathematical functions to calculate or correct flows, pressures and temperatures, calculate equipment and plant performance efficiencies and prepare records and reports utilized to track overall facility energy usage.
18.
Skilled in sampling and testing of condensate, boiler water, feed water, employing standard test methods.
19.
Operate and repair of water treatment equipment such as brine generation units, ion exchange, softening units and all associated piping systems, pumps and valves.
20.
Use a variety of tools and equipment such as combustion analyzers, hydrostatic test pumps, pressure and temperature calibrators, tube-cleaning equipment, amp-probes, indexing potentionmeters, infrared sensors, multi-meters, signal simulators, and amplifiers, tachometers, toque wrenches and volt-ohm meters.
21.
Repair of insulation and refractory, the repair of gas and liquid fuel systems and all associated components.
22.
Must be able to use appropriate respiratory protection equipment while working in conditions involving adverse elements such as carbon, cement, fire clay, fibrous glass, silica, and soot dust; chemical and organic vapors.
RESUME REMINDER- Your resume must include the following information for each job listed:
Recommended: Even though we do not require a specific resume format, your resume must be clear so that we are able to fully job title. If we are evaluate your qualifications. To ensure you receive appropriate consideration, please list the duties you performed under each individual unable to match your experiences with the positions held, you may lose consideration for this vacancy. We cannot make assumptions regarding your qualifications.
NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month & year starting and ending dates and hours worked per week.
- 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
Recommended: Even though we do not require a specific resume format, your resume must be clear so that we are able to fully job title. If we are evaluate your qualifications. To ensure you receive appropriate consideration, please list the duties you performed under each individual unable to match your experiences with the positions held, you may lose consideration for this vacancy. We cannot make assumptions regarding your qualifications.
NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month & year starting and ending dates and hours worked per week.