Boiler Plant Operator

Summary

New Jersey Healthcare Medical Center at the Lyons campus is hiring for 1 Boiler Plant Operator. The incumbent uses manual and automatic controls to operate the Boiler Plant Operation Section of Facilities Management. The operator is responsible for troubleshooting and determining the problem.

This job is open to

• The public
  
  U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency

ALL US CITIZENS
DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.201) for this occupation.

Duties

The Boiler Plant Operator uses manual and automatic controls to operate the Boiler Plant in the Operations Section of Facilities Management Service at the Lyons Campus. Performs all duties required to maintain the safe and efficient operation of a high-pressure steam boiler plant and performs all preventive maintenance duties, adjustments and corrective actions as required and necessary.

The Boiler Plant Operator performs all duties required to maintain the safe and efficient operation of a 3500-horsepower high-pressure steam boiler plant, operating steam pressure of boilers between 100 and 135 psi, consisting of five (5) 700-HP fire tube boilers (with economizers) automatic and. manually fired combination oil and natural gas burning. The total capacity is 120, 750 lbs. /hr. with an average output of 40,000 to 45,000 lbs. /hr.

The Incumbent performs all preventive maintenance duties, adjustments and corrective actions as required and necessary. The incumbent operates the feed water system, the steam system, domestic water, natural gas, fuel oil, and local control panels at each individual boiler and the main control panel with plant and boiler master controls along with all associated transmitters and recorders. The Incumbent operates systems and related components. Operations of the feedwater system consists of backflow preventers, water softeners, make-up tank, transfer pumps, a 100,000 lbs./hr. Deaerating Feedwater Heater and feed water pumps. The domestic water system includes a plant water softening system. The chemical feed system includes batch tanks, chemical storage tanks and chemical feed pumps. The natural gas system includes the main gas meter and regulator, solenoid operated cut-out valve, emergency cut-off switches, high and low gas pressure switches, filters, pressure regulators, pilots, solenoid valves, vents, and propane back-up pilot system. But are not limited to:

• Knowledge of principles and methods of operating high-pressure oil and gas-fired boilers and of the methods employed in determining and obtaining efficient combustion.
• Knowledge and ability to perform combustion and efficiency calculations.
• Knowledge to adjust firing rates for best combustion, efficiency and steam production.
• Skills to determine necessary settings and to adjust controls of generating equipment for desired operating conditions and synchronization of equipment with the system.
• Ability to read and interpret precision recording instruments, including valves, piping equipment, gauges, dials, controls, relays, switches and trips, and to record information noted.
• Skill in reading flow meters and charts to determine how much steam is being produced and whether it is meeting demands, how much fuel is being used, and how much water is being evaporated.
• Skills to interpret readings from charts and meters to determine whether to increase or lower fire in boiler, whether to start or stop boiler feed pumps, and to determine how long these are to operate.
• Ability to determine the type and amount of chemicals that need to be added to boilers for treatment of boiler water in order to control corrosion and scale formation.
• Has skill and knowledge to operate hand and power tools; Uses electrical tools, tools of the trade such as pipe wrenches, tap and die, hammer, drills, power equipment, pick and shovel, portable pumps and grease guns.
• Ability to understand and execute written and oral instructions and relay instructions to follow-on shifts
• Ability to communicate effectively with supervisor, other operators and plant personnel.

This occupation is currently approved for a Veterans Health Administration enterprise-wide Critical Skills Incentive through 10/7/2024. Candidates may be eligible for a lump sum CSI for a pro-rated amount if onboard prior to the CSI expiration date. Eligible candidates will be required to sign a service agreement agreeing to an obligated service period and failure to complete the obligated service period may result in a debt for the unearned portion of the CSI.

Preferred Qualifications: New Jersey Blue Seal 3rd Class Engineer's License.

Work Schedule: Rotating Shift (8am-4pm, 4pm-12am & 12am-8am). Position is required to work rotating shifts of a 7day, 3 shift operational plans.

Position Description Title/PD#: Boiler Plant Operator/PD05054A

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• 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
• May serve a probationary period
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

Qualifications

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 (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.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions: The work performed requires walking, standing, stooping, kneeling, sitting, crouching, climbing ladders, stairs and steps. When performing repairs or making installations or performing preventive maintenance, the incumbent is required to use both hands above the head as well as below the shoulders. The incumbent must also be able to lift weights of over fifty pounds. Must have good eyesight and hearing. Required to enter confined spaces when cleaning and inspecting boilers and boiler tubes.

The incumbent is required to work around moving machinery. The incumbent works generally indoors, but some tanks and equipment are outdoors, where it is necessary to work under all weather conditions. The incumbent is exposed to contact with high pressure steam, high pressure oil, hot water, high voltage, moving and heavy-duty equipment. The incumbent is exposed to dangerous situations (boilers may . burst and release scalding water). Operator may be exposed to gas, oil, or chemical fumes, and/or may be. subject to cuts, bruises, and broken bones resulting from accidents while working around machinery and equipment.

Preferred Qualifications: New Jersey Blue Seal 3rd Class Engineer's License.

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website which can be found at https://www.opm.gov/.

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. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. 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.

• Benefits
  
  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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Applicants will be referred in the order in which they were received.

• Benefits
  
  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.
• Required Documents
  
  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
  
  Documents Accepted:
  
  
  • DD-214/ Statement of Service
  • Disability Letter (VA)
  • Resume
  • Separation Notice (RIF)
  • SF-15
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
  
  
  Documents Required:
  
  
  • Resume
  
  
  Please review the above list(s) to ensure you have included all necessary documents required for your application.Not every applicant will require the same documents, therefore it is the applicants responsibility to ensure that their application package includes all necessary documents to determine qualifications and eligibility for appointment, such as a copy of your SF-50, transcript, ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).You will not be contacted for additional information. Applicants will be deemed ineligible if supporting documentation is not submitted.
  
  Veterans' Preference: Since the Direct-Hire Recruitment Authority is being used, traditional Veterans' Preference rules do not apply. Qualified veterans will, however, be given full consideration for this position.
  
  Applications are accepted online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.
• How to Apply
  
  All applicants are encouraged to apply online.
  
  To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 09/03/2024 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12529584.
  
  1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
  
  2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
  
  NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
  
  To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
  
  Agency contact information
  
  Patrisia Cambi
  
  Phone
  
  718-741-4000
  
  Email
  
  Patrisia.Cambi@va.gov
  
  Address
  
  VA New Jersey Health Care System
  
  385 Tremont Avenue
  
  East Orange, NJ 07018
  
  US
  
  Next steps
  
  After the vacancy announcement closes, applicants are evaluated to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email.
• Fair and Transparent
  
  The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
  
  
  • Criminal history inquiries
  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Financial suitability
  • New employee probationary period
  • Privacy Act
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Selective Service
  • Signature and false statements
  • Social security number request

Required Documents

Documents Accepted:

• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (VA)
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

Documents Required:

• Resume

Please review the above list(s) to ensure you have included all necessary documents required for your application.Not every applicant will require the same documents, therefore it is the applicants responsibility to ensure that their application package includes all necessary documents to determine qualifications and eligibility for appointment, such as a copy of your SF-50, transcript, ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).You will not be contacted for additional information. Applicants will be deemed ineligible if supporting documentation is not submitted.

Veterans' Preference: Since the Direct-Hire Recruitment Authority is being used, traditional Veterans' Preference rules do not apply. Qualified veterans will, however, be given full consideration for this position.

Applications are accepted online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.

How to Apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online.

To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 09/03/2024 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12529584.

1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.

2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.

To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

Agency contact information

Patrisia Cambi

Phone

718-741-4000

Email

Patrisia.Cambi@va.gov

Address

VA New Jersey Health Care System

385 Tremont Avenue

East Orange, NJ 07018

US

Next steps

After the vacancy announcement closes, applicants are evaluated to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email.

Fair & Transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

• Criminal history inquiries
• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
• Financial suitability
• New employee probationary period
• Privacy Act
• Reasonable accommodation policy
• Selective Service
• Signature and false statements
• Social security number request