Boiler Plant Operator

Full Job Description

The Boiler Plant Operator works in the Facilities Management Service for the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System (CTVHCS).

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To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

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: 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.

Major Duties:

Major duties include, but not limited to: Boiler plant operators start, operate, adjust, stop, maintain and perform various operational repairs on three multiple fuel power boilers and related auxiliary and pollution control equipment in a safe and efficient manner.

Due to the nature of the boilers, operators are not authorized to leave the boilers unattended, even for brief periods, without relief by a qualified operator.

The boilers are capable of producing 105,000 pounds of steam per hour at 90 psi with the ability to fire on natural gas or #2 fuel oil.

The high pressure boilers require constant attention to maintain efficiency and control the formation of pollutants.

Operators maintain efficient combustion levels and ensure compliance with EPA and Texas Air Control Board by controlling the 02 and CO2 gases with installed Autoflame controllers as well as flue gas analyzers.

Through the use of manual, automatic, or computer controls or control systems the boiler operators monitor, adjust, and control all phases of boiler plant operation.

Use electronic, hydraulic, and pneumatic controls in conjunction with meters, gauges, and computer generated data to determine adjustments or corrections necessary for proper boiler operations or changing load demands.

They operate auxiliary and pollution control machinery such as pumps, forced draft blowers, air compressors, deaerating equipment, heaters, condensers as well as all related auxiliary equipment necessary to supply steam for heating, laundry, food preparation, sterilization or other hospital facilities and equipment.

Operators are responsible for routinely observing the instruments, gauges, meters, detectors, recorders, water level indicators, controls, water chemistry and equipment as well as computer generated data.

Furthermore the operator is responsible for maintaining logs, records and other data to ensure proper tracking of steam produced, water and fuel oil usage, electricity, natural gas, laundry meters and chemical treatment of the boilers and related systems as appropriate as well as relaying information to other operators and the supervisor.

Operators collect boiler, feed, condensate and water softener samples; analyzing and treating the systems as necessary and taking corrective actions as appropriate.

They perform operational maintenance and repairs of moderate complexity such as repairing and replacing valves, gauges, pumps or other equipment as well as basic electrical repairs.

They also operate emergency generators to meet plant electrical requirements when the main electrical source is unavailable.

They check the operation of safety equipment such as flame extinction, automatic re-ignition, low water cut-outs, high pressure cut-outs, and purge type combustion safeties.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; Rotating shifts = 8:00 am to 4:00 pm; 4:00 pm to midnight; Midnight to 8:00 am Position Description Title/PD#: Boiler Plant Operator/PD00894A Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over; Climbing, use of legs and arms; Excessive heat; Excessive humidity; Slippery or uneven walking surfaces; Working on ladders or scaffolding; Working alone.