Boiler Plant Operator

at Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration in Hines, Illinois, United States

Job Description

Summary The position is located in the Boiler Plant Unit at the Edward Hines, Jr. Veteran’s Hospital, Hines, IL. The primary purpose of this position is to provide steam and hot water required for sanitation, infection control and a healthful environment for the delivery of health care and operated in a safe and economical manner recognizing its importance and the potential for pressure vessel and/or furnace explosion. Responsibilities The incumbent is responsible during their assigned tour of duty for the operation, adjustment and minor repair of four water tube combination oil and natural gas fired, high pressure steam boilers; potable water pumping and chlorinating equipment; softened water treatment, dealkalized water treatment facilities and boiler plant auxiliary equipment such as: water and oil pumps, steam turbines, air compressors, internal combustion engines, unit heaters, air handling units, hot water generator tanks, and fixed and portable gas analyzers. Each of the 4 high pressure steam boilers is rated at a steam capacity of 50,000 lbs. per hour at an operating pressure of 125 psig. Maximum steam demand conditions normally require operation of two boilers and occasionally three for generation of an average output of over 100,000 lbs. of steam per hour for an annual steam heating cycle. Maximum water demand conditions require pumping and chlorinating treatment of approximately 1,000,000 gallons of raw-water daily from outside sources, for delivery to one (1) underground and one (1) overhead storage tank. Work Schedule: Rotating shifts. Due to the mission of the Department of Veterans Affairs, the hospital must be manned continuously and cannot be closed. When a Federal holiday falls on a Monday or Friday, staff may be required to work on that holiday due to time constraints on projects or availability of the space. Staff will be required to work overtime on weekends, after hours on a duty day, and holidays when necessary to meet the needs of the VA mission. Occasionally, staff may be called back to the facility due to an emergency for overtime work. Position Description Title/PD#: Boiler Plant Operator/PD24172A Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 You may be required to serve a probationary period Subject to background/security investigation Pre-employment physical required Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) – See “Additional Information” below for details. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/05/2024. 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 Do the Work of the Position without More Than Normal Supervision Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading) Technical Practices Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment 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. Physical Requirements/Working Conditions: The work requires continual climbing on stairs, catwalks, scaffolds and ladders; stooping, turning, kneeling, stretching and lifting. The incumbent may be required to lift heavy objects, utilize hand and power tools, and bleed-off water, gas, oil, and steam lines to meet safe operating conditions. The incumbent, at times, is exposed to excessive hot, cold, damp or wet conditions and occasionally performs work under adverse lighting or ventilation conditions. The incumbent is required to wear rubber apron, rubber gloves and goggles or face shield while preparing, mixing, or transferring chemicals used for water treatment. Education This job does not have an education qualification requirement. Additional Information This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant’s criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer (TJO). Please visit the Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP), va.gov/EMPLOYEE/docs/The-Fair-Chance-to-Compete-Act.pdf for more information.