Boiler Plant Operator

Summary
This is an Intermediate position located within Facilities Management, Engineering section in the boiler plant operations. The incumbent participates in the VISN 2 Boiler Plant Operator 2-year training program. The Boiler Plant is a 24-hour per day, 7 days per week operation. The position may be subject to rotating work shifts.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
Help
Duties include but are not limited to:

• The incumbent receives minimal supervisory oversight and can perform fundamental tasks independently.
• The duties performed at any one time might include those above the simpler and more routine duties of the apprentice level, less difficult than the journey worker level, but up to and including, under close supervision, journey worker level duties.
• At this grade, the incumbent has a working knowledge of boiler plant operations and associated equipment and systems.
• Must know the location and function of numerous pumps, valves, regulators, gauges, recording instruments, controls, power operated dampers, and other equipment associated with clean, safe, and efficient boiler operation.
• Incumbent is responsible for observing and documenting meters and gauges to ensure proper combustion and prescribed temperatures, pressures, and emissions, and for performing routine operator maintenance of equipment.
• Work is checked for effectiveness and adherence to established policies, procedures, and regulations through periodic visits to the work sites.
• They have skill in applying preventive maintenance procedures and performing limited operational repairs such as cleaning equipment, greasing, and oiling moving parts of machinery, repainting equipment, repacking valves, replacing pumps.
• Assisting higher grade workers in more difficult repairs and replacements.
• Knowledgeable of operations necessary in start-up, shutdown, and restart procedures and in casualty control.
• Requires knowledge of the chemical and physical characteristics of fuel and combustion.
• Essential working knowledge of principles and practices required for the operation of Boiler Plants.
• Knowledge of fuel handling and distribution equipment and systems, fuel firing mechanisms, and feed water treatment systems.
• Know function of numerous pumps, valves, regulators, gauges, recording instruments, controls, power operated dampers.
• General understanding of the individual and combined effects of chemical additives.
• Requires knowledge of fuel handling and distribution equipment and systems, fuel firing mechanisms, and feed water treatment systems.
• Incumbent is responsible for understanding and responding to a variety of emergencies and conditions indicated by equipment inherent to boiler operations to prevent equipment damage or explosion.
• Must be knowledgeable of operations necessary in startup and shut down.
• Working knowledge of water tending analysis, and basic chemical treatment; and a general understanding of the individual and combined effects of chemical additives.
• They have skill in applying preventive maintenance procedures and performing limited operational repairs such as cleaning equipment, greasing, and oiling moving parts of machinery, repainting equipment, repacking valves, replacing pumps, and assisting higher grade workers in more difficult repairs and replacements.
• A Boiler Plant Operator or supervisor is available for advice and assistance on any work problem encountered.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm
Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Not authorized.
Position Description Title/PD#: Boiler Plant Operator/PD49815A
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not authorized.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized.
Requirements
Help
Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Pre-employment physical 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 ( 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.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial 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 or trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/28/2026.
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
• Dexterity and Safety
• Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair
• Interpret Instructions, Specifications (other than 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.
Physical Requirements/Working Conditions: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
Education
This job does not have an education qualification requirement.
Additional information
Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Help
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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
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.