Boiler Plant Operator in Leeds

This position of Boiler Plant Operator is in the Maintenance and Operations (M&O) Section of the Facilities Management Service at a VISN 1 Medical Center.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. As a condition of employment, 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. Upon completion of the probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification in writing that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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 to perform the duties of this position. Evidence must be supported by detailed descriptions on your resume. Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Federal Wage System Qualification Standards. Screen‑out evaluation will be based on the prescribed screen‑out element (usually question 1 of the online questionnaire). Eligible candidates will be rated against the remaining job elements: Dexterity, Safety Equipment Assembly – Installation – Repair, Operation of Equipment/Machinery, and Technical Practices. Experience includes paid and unpaid roles, such as volunteer work through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations. Volunteer work counts toward credit for qualifying experience. A full year of work is considered 35‑40 hours per week; part‑time experience is credited proportionally. Applicants seeking credit must clearly indicate the nature of duties, responsibilities, and hours per week for each position.

Duties

Major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to: The incumbent is responsible for the safe and efficient operation, minor repair, 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, 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 oil/gas fire boilers are rated at 31,000 lbs steam per hour and are automatically controlled by combustion equipment – which consists of air‑fuel ratio controls, inlet and outlet controls, pressure, and fuel oil temperature controls. Works on a changing shift basis as established by the supervisor. The incumbent must be experienced in the operation of high‑pressure boilers. This position requires considerable responsibility and a high degree of skill, judgment, experience, and ability to ensure the safe and efficient operation of plant operation. Must understand good combustion control to ensure efficient operation. Carelessness could cause serious damage to high‑valued boilers, air conditioning, chillers, and auxiliary equipment. The incumbent is responsible for operating various computer‑based environmental control systems – i.e., Johnson Controls Metasys – which monitors and controls 80 percent of the hospital’s heating, ventilation, air‑conditioning (HVAC)/humidity control systems. During the assigned shift, the incumbent is responsible for providing a continuous supply of steam to the hospital. Will be required to work shifts without supervision. This will be on the 12:00 midnight to 8:00 A.M. shift and the 4:00 P.M. to 12:00 midnight shift. Nature and degree of responsibility for making judgments and decisions. Guidance is received from the supervisor. Instructions, procedures, and recommendations are general in nature. Work is only occasionally spot‑checked. Operates systems – makes decisions – and implements procedures to provide an uninterrupted supply of steam to this facility.

Preferred experience: high‑pressure steam boiler plant operation.

Work schedule: rotating shifts.

Physical requirements: The incumbent must be physically able to do a considerable amount of walking, standing, climbing ladders and stairs, crawling inside tight spaces such as boilers, and heavy lifting. Must be able to work in bent‑prone or crouched positions, must have good or corrected eyesight for observing water columns and gauges, and must have good hearing for detecting noises that would indicate trouble with boilers, A/C chiller, and auxiliary equipment.

Working conditions: The incumbent is subject to high temperatures within the Boiler Plant during all seasons of the year. Is subject to cuts, burns, bruises, smoke, and gas fumes, and elevated noise levels. Some of the work accomplished is strenuous and is at times greasy and dirty.