Plant Operator

Boiler Plant Operator

The employee of this position will perform duties as a Boiler/METASYS Operator/Mechanic in the Utilities Section of Engineering Service at the Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System (CAVHCS), West Campus. The employee will operate and monitor the METASYS energy management system 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Major duties and responsibilities include:

• Maintain, repair and operate (1) domestic hot water (backup) natural gas boilers in the Chiller Plant.
• Monitor, calibrate, and perform preventive maintenance, and repair equipment and systems.
• Maintain and repair auxiliary equipment to keeps boilers operating efficiently.
• Operate boilers with the capacity between 40,000 to 100,000 or more pounds of steam per hour.
• Maintain efficient combustion levels and ensures compliance with air pollution laws or regulations.
• Adjust fuel feeds and the volume and velocity of draft and other fire box variables to achieve maximum combustion efficiency with changing load demands or variations in fuel quality.
• Use electronic, hydraulic, and pneumatic controls, and zone charts in conjunction with meters, gauges, and computer generated data to determine adjustments or corrections necessary for proper boiler operations or changing load requirements.
• Operate and repair hot water boilers.
• Monitor, calibrate, and perform preventive maintenance, and repair equipment and systems.
• Operate and monitoring the METASYS energy management system.
• Respond to alarms that include HVAC temperature controls, medication refrigeration temperature controls and fire alarms.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Sunday - Saturday, 24/7 Rotating Shifts Position Description Title/PD#: Boiler Plant Operator/PD39430A and PD01546A Physical Requirements: Frequently carries parts and sets up equipment that weighs up to 50 pounds. Hoist, jacks and pulleys are operated to remove and replace large units. Most equipment is operated or repaired from floor level or through the use of ladder(s), fixed scaffolding and platforms. Incumbent must have good eyesight, use of all limbs, be able to walk, crawl, climb. Work is sometimes performed in cramped positions where bending, stooping, and/or crawling may be required for short periods of time during repair work.

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
• Subject to a background/suitability investigation
• 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. 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.

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.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: This position serves as the Boiler Plant Operator, with the responsibilities to maintain, repair, and operate the Boiler Plant and related equipment and systems. The Boiler Plant systems include 3 fire tube boilers (gas fired with fuel oil backup as a standby) with auto, semi-automatic, and manual controls. This includes maintaining repairs and operating domestic hot water (backup) natural gas boilers in the Chiller Plant. The operator will monitor, calibrate, and perform preventive maintenance.

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
• Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair
• Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading)
• Operation of Equipment/Machinery
• Technical Practices
• Work Practices

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.