Boiler Plant Operator

Department of Veterans Affairs•Spokane, WA

33d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is located within the Office of the Engineering Service at Mann-Grandstaff VAMC in Spokane, WA. The office provides engineering, operational, and maintenance support for the hospital. The position reports directly to the Boiler Plant Supervisor.

Responsibilities

Operates four dual-fuel, high-pressure boilers to ensure efficient steam production and compliance with State and Federal air pollution standards, including SO2 and NOx limits.
Uses electronic, hydraulic, and pneumatic controls, along with meters, gauges, and data systems, to monitor and adjust combustion, fuel feed, draft, and firebox parameters for varying loads and fuel quality.
Records all necessary operational data in logs, journals, and records, including hourly readings of temperatures, pressures, voltage/current measurements, vacuum levels, and other specified parameters.
Conducts routine calculations of efficiency, averages, energy and water consumption, and steam production.
Maintains accurate machinery history records for traceability and audit purposes.
Performs precise chemical analysis of boiler water, soft water, municipal water, and condensate returns in accordance with established directives and procedures.
Independently determine and apply appropriate chemical dosages to maintain specified levels of alkalinity, acidity, dissolved solids, oxygen, and scale or algae control.
Maintains proper purification through internal, external, and mechanical treatment methods to safeguard equipment and uphold steam quality.
Performs scheduled and corrective maintenance and repairs on boilers and associated systems and components, including feedwater and condensate pumps, deaerators, burners, combustion controls, sensors, control valves, heat exchangers, pressure regulators and reducers, recorders, alarms, fuel oil pumps, lubricating oil pumps, strainers, and related distribution equipment.
Conducts cleaning and maintenance of fireboxes, drums, tubes, stacks, and breechings, both internally and externally.
Replace belts, clean strainers, nozzles, and jets, repack glands, and perform necessary repairs to distribution systems.
Ensure proper housekeeping and maintenance of the utility plant and equipment.