Boiler Plant Operator

This position of Boiler Plant Operator is in the Maintenance and Operations (M&O) Section of the Facilities Management Service at VA Connecticut Healthcare System and is under the direct supervision of the Utilities Systems Supervisor. This position is full time at 40 hours per week.

The incumbent is responsible for the safe and efficient operation, repairs, lubrication, and adjustment of the Boiler Plant equipment. The equipment maintained and operated consists of three water tube high pressure steam boilers in the central heating plant. In addition, the Boiler Plant has hot water generators and pumps that generate and circulate hot water for domestic use; a heating system for Buildings 3, 4, 5, 6, 7; and a pumping system for pumping city water to the receiving tanks. The incumbent is responsible for the operation and maintenance of this equipment while on duty, The three oil/gas fire boilers are rated at 31,000 lbs. steam per hour and are automatically controlled by I combustion equipment, which consists of air fuel ratio controls, inlet and outlet controls. In addition to the above responsibilities, the incumbent will also be required to: Monitor and operate the air conditioning plant. Operate the Boiler Plant in a safe and economical manner to provide a continuous supply of steam to the station; and adjust combustion controls, and other controls when necessary. Maintain log sheets by gathering operating data such as feedwater temperature boiler pressure. Make regular water tests and treats boiler feedwater with chemicals as required. Perform preventive maintenance such as lubrication, adjustment, minor parts replacement, and necessary minor repairs designed to keep plant and equipment in good operating condition. Perform general maintenance such as lubrication, adjustment, minor parts replacement, and necessary minor repairs designed to keep plant and equipment in good operating condition. Perform other duties as assigned: miscellaneous painting of equipment and utility lines, general cleaning of the boilers, equipment, utility lines, general areas, etc. Monitors and place request, to the Utility Systems Supervisor, for fuel oil as needed during the heating season. Incumbent has direct contact with vendors for all materials, supplies and fuels required to maintain the Boiler Plant; and as required, will initiate requests to the Utilities Systems Supervisor. On occasion, shift coverage is such that two boiler plant operators are on the day shift. When required, one Boiler Plant operator will be detailed to the HVAC Shop or Mechanical Maintenance Shop for maintenance and repair work throughout the facility. Maintains and updates preventive maintenance procedure and inspections on a recurring basis for all equipment related to the Boiler Plant per VHA Directive 2003-050. When required on other than normal working hours of Facilities Management Service (FMS) staff, the incumbent will receive emergency calls and will dispatch them to appropriate individuals as instructed by the Chief of FMS and outlined in FMS emergency call back procedures. Work Schedule: Various Shifts Position Description Title/PD#: Boiler Plant Operator/PD03075A Physical Requirements: Incumbent must be physically able to do a considerable amount of walking, standing, climbing ladders and stairs, crawling inside of tight spaces such as boilers, and heavy lifting. Must be able to work in bent, prone or crouched positions; must have good or corrected eye sight for observing water columns and gauges; must have good hearing for detecting noises that would indicate trouble with boilers, A/C chiller and auxiliary equipment. NOTE: This is a Bargaining Unit Position. This Position is in the Competitive Service. Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held. Veterans' Preference in hiring does not apply when selecting individuals under VA's Direct Hire Authority. When hiring under Direct Hire Authority, the law allows selecting officials to hire applicants without regard to 5 U.S.C. 3309-3318, which eliminates the requirement for applying Veterans' preference. VA HR Offices may assess and select any qualified applicant in the order applicants are received.

You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job Subject to a background/suitability investigation Designated and/or random drug testing may be required 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. Beginning September 27, 2025, Federal agencies will only accept resumes up to two pages in length to comply with the Merit Hiring Plan. Resumes longer than two pages will result in ineligibility for further consideration for the position. USAJOBS will not allow you to upload or build resumes longer than two pages, and you will need to update the resumes in your profile before applying for a job. Resumes should include information relevant to the knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies of the position to which you are applying. VA is unable to make assumptions about qualifications if not clearly listed. Resumes must be legible so they can be reviewed for eligibility, minimum qualifications and other position requirements listed in the job announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.