The Phoenix Arizona VA Health Care System (PVAHCS) is recruiting for a Boiler Plant Operator within the Engineering or Facilities Management Service located in Phoenix, AZ. The incumbent in this position is under the supervision of the Maintenance Supervisor and the operator is responsible for the overall operation, maintenance and control of the central boiler plant. The incumbent ensures continuous operation of the Boiler Plant for the health and safety of patients and staff.
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: Ability to Do the Work of the Position without More Than Normal Supervision Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (Other Than Blueprint Reading) Ability to Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment Dexterity and Safety Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation, and Repair, etc. Operation of Job Family Specify Equipment, Machinery, etc. Technical Practices (Theoretical, Precise, Artistic) 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.
Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Operation of auxiliary equipment such as deaerating feed water tank, two water softeners, three city water booster pumps, three feed water pumps and condensate return tank with two pumps, microprocessor control systems, automated chemical feed system, distilled water system, controlled air compressors, and automated boiler blowdown system. Provide operational adjustments to the burner management system. Maintain records and logs of plant operating conditions, including hourly readings of outside air temperature, condensate return temperature, stack temperature, oxygen stack percentage, and carbon dioxide percentages. Maintain proper chemistry control of boiler water, condensate, and feedwater. Perform daily boiler water test. Adjust Amines, Phosphate and Sulfite to maintain proper water qualities. Perform daily maintenance and preventative maintenance determined by scheduled activities such as steam trap maintenance, valve maintenance, greasing of equipment and other predetermined tasks. Provide technical input on pump operations and controls. Repair and adjust boiler combustion controls and boiler safety devices and individual air compressors for each boiler for steam atomizing. Use of diagrams, drawings, operating manuals, or facility procedures to be followed during emergencies, equipment failure, or system malfunction. Mastery of industrial practices for maintenance and repair of equipment. Maintain cleanliness during maintenance work on boiler plant equipment. Perform other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Full-Time, Various tours of duties and shifts to include weekends and holidays mornings, evenings, and overnight shifts, depending on the needs of the service. (For Example: 6:00 am - 2:00 pm (For the first 3 months); 2:00 am - 10:00 pm OR 10:00 pm - 6:00 am) Position Description Title/PD#: Boiler Plant Operator/PD14734A Physical Requirements: The duty of this position requires the incumbent to be in good physical condition. The incumbent must be able to work at various heights, such as working from ladders, work on pneumatic lifts, inside confined spaces such as inside boiler drums and various water storage tanks. The incumbent shall be able to work in positions such as standing, stooping, bending and other tiring and uncomfortable positions. The incumbent shall be frequently required to lift objects weighing over forty (40) pounds and occasionally lift objects weighing over ninety (90) pounds. Working Conditions: The operators work under extremes of heat, cold, dust and dampness on a regular basis, Work may occur when no other VA employees are present in the Boiler Plant or are present in at the facility. The operator comes in contact with hazardous chemicals such as caustics, acids, phosphates, amines, and hydroxides and steam and hazardous equipment. The incumbent may be exposed to the possibility of cuts, bruises and irritations and is required to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when necessary.