Boiler Plant Operator

Veterans Health Administration • Waco, TX

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Boiler Plant Operator works in the Facilities Management Service for the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System (CTVHCS). This position is responsible for the safe, reliable, and efficient operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of high-pressure boiler plant systems and associated auxiliary equipment supporting hospital operations. DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.201) for this occupation.

Requirements

• Resumes must be legible so they can be reviewed for eligibility, minimum qualifications and other position requirements listed in the job announcement.
• Resume must be 5MB or less.
• Applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
• 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.
• Dexterity and Safety
• Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair
• Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading)
• Measuring Instruments
• Operation of Equipment/Machinery
• Technical Practices
• Without more than normal supervision
• 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.
• U.S. citizen
• Subject to a background/suitability investigation
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• A complete application package; including Resume, Transcripts, etc. is required
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents).
• Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.

Nice To Haves

• To be well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job.

Responsibilities

• Operate high-pressure boilers and auxiliary systems: Start, stop, adjust, monitor, and control multiple-fuel boilers and associated equipment to maintain safe and efficient steam production.
• Maintain and repair boiler plant equipment: Troubleshoot, repair, replace, adjust, and maintain burners, pumps, valves, controls, regulators, gauges, bearings, piping, compressors, fans, generators, feed-water systems, condensate systems, and other boiler components.
• Perform preventive maintenance: Conduct scheduled maintenance and equipment inspections and perform repairs and overhauls necessary to maintain plant reliability.
• Monitor computerized and automated controls: Use electronic, hydraulic, pneumatic, automatic, semi-automatic, and computerized control systems to evaluate operating conditions and make adjustments.
• Analyze boiler operating conditions: Read and interpret gauges, meters, recorders, electronic displays, alarms, and computer-generated data to determine boiler performance and identify abnormal conditions.
• Maintain combustion efficiency: Adjust combustion settings and fuel/air ratios to maintain efficient boiler operation and comply with applicable emissions and pollution-control requirements.
• Perform boiler-water testing and treatment: Test boiler feed water, boiler water, and condensate using chemical testing methods; determine appropriate chemical treatment; and control impurities, dissolved gases, and unstable water conditions.
• Inspect and maintain safety systems: Test, adjust, troubleshoot, and repair flame safeguards, pressure switches, differential switches, limit switches, timers, probes, sensors, safety valves, fuel cutoffs, ignition systems, and related protective devices.
• Troubleshoot electrical and mechanical systems: Diagnose equipment failures involving mechanical, electrical, electronic, pneumatic, hydraulic, and electro-mechanical components and perform appropriate repairs.
• Maintain operational documentation: Record steam production, water and fuel consumption, electricity and natural-gas usage, boiler chemistry, equipment conditions, and other required operating data.
• Respond to emergencies: Operate emergency generators when necessary, respond to emergency trouble calls, monitor facility fire-alarm and water-supply systems as assigned, and take immediate action to protect personnel, equipment, and hospital operations.
• Follow environmental and safety requirements: Handle boiler chemicals and byproducts appropriately and comply with applicable environmental, public-health, resource-protection, and workplace safety requirements.
• Work independently: Make operational and maintenance decisions during assigned shifts, including periods when working alone, while following standard operating procedures, engineering policies, technical manuals, and supervisory guidance.
• Coordinate with others: Work with utility plant personnel, Engineering Service staff, contractors, vendors, suppliers, mechanics, and technicians to support maintenance and repair activities.

Benefits

• A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.
• As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
• Review our benefits
• Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.
• Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed