Boiler Plant Operator

Summary

The Boiler Plant Operator works in the Facilities Management Service for the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System (CTVHCS). This position is responsible for the safe, reliable, and efficient operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of high-pressure boiler plant systems and associated auxiliary equipment supporting hospital operations. DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.201) for this occupation.

Duties

Major duties include, but not limited to: Operate high-pressure boilers and auxiliary systems: Start, stop, adjust, monitor, and control multiple-fuel boilers and associated equipment to maintain safe and efficient steam production. Maintain and repair boiler plant equipment: Troubleshoot, repair, replace, adjust, and maintain burners, pumps, valves, controls, regulators, gauges, bearings, piping, compressors, fans, generators, feed-water systems, condensate systems, and other boiler components. Perform preventive maintenance: Conduct scheduled maintenance and equipment inspections and perform repairs and overhauls necessary to maintain plant reliability. Monitor computerized and automated controls: Use electronic, hydraulic, pneumatic, automatic, semi-automatic, and computerized control systems to evaluate operating conditions and make adjustments. Analyze boiler operating conditions: Read and interpret gauges, meters, recorders, electronic displays, alarms, and computer-generated data to determine boiler performance and identify abnormal conditions. Maintain combustion efficiency: Adjust combustion settings and fuel/air ratios to maintain efficient boiler operation and comply with applicable emissions and pollution-control requirements. Perform boiler-water testing and treatment: Test boiler feed water, boiler water, and condensate using chemical testing methods; determine appropriate chemical treatment; and control impurities, dissolved gases, and unstable water conditions. Inspect and maintain safety systems: Test, adjust, troubleshoot, and repair flame safeguards, pressure switches, differential switches, limit switches, timers, probes, sensors, safety valves, fuel cutoffs, ignition systems, and related protective devices. Troubleshoot electrical and mechanical systems: Diagnose equipment failures involving mechanical, electrical, electronic, pneumatic, hydraulic, and electro-mechanical components and perform appropriate repairs. Maintain operational documentation: Record steam production, water and fuel consumption, electricity and natural-gas usage, boiler chemistry, equipment conditions, and other required operating data. Respond to emergencies: Operate emergency generators when necessary, respond to emergency trouble calls, monitor facility fire-alarm and water-supply systems as assigned, and take immediate action to protect personnel, equipment, and hospital operations. Follow environmental and safety requirements: Handle boiler chemicals and byproducts appropriately and comply with applicable environmental, public-health, resource-protection, and workplace safety requirements. Work independently: Make operational and maintenance decisions during assigned shifts, including periods when working alone, while following standard operating procedures, engineering policies, technical manuals, and supervisory guidance. Coordinate with others: Work with utility plant personnel, Engineering Service staff, contractors, vendors, suppliers, mechanics, and technicians to support maintenance and repair activities. Work Schedule: Rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays. Position Description Title/PD#: Boiler Plant Operator/PD8620-O Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over; Climbing, use of legs and arms; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, Ability to distinguish shades of colors, Hearing (aid maybe permitted), Excessive heat; Excessive humidity; Slippery or uneven walking surfaces; Working on ladders or scaffolding; Working alone.

Requirements

You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job Subject to a background/suitability investigation Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 A complete application package; including Resume, Transcripts, etc. is 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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). 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 and evaluation

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. The VA has adopted Core Values and Characteristics that apply universally across the Department. The five Core Values define "who we are," our culture, and how we care for Veterans, their families and other beneficiaries. The Values are Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect and Excellence ("I CARE"). As a VA professional, your opportunities are endless. With many openings in the multiple functions of VA, you will have a wide range of opportunities and leadership positions at your fingertips.

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 10/09/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13081164. 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. You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center. 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.

Required documents

Documents Accepted: Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (Schedule A) Disability Letter (VA) License Other (1) PCS Orders Performance Appraisal Professional Certification Resume Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript 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.

Additional information

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 (TJO). Please visit the Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP), va.gov/EMPLOYEE/docs/The-Fair-Chance-to-Compete-Act.pdf for more information. 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.