This position is located within the Engineering Service at the VA Boston Healthcare System in Jamaica Plain, MA.
Physical Effort and Work Conditions: The person in the position is subject to frequent standing, walking, kneeling, crawling, and climbing of ladders and scaffolds for inspections. The person in the position works inside in constant high temperatures from the boilers. Exposed to the danger of steam leaks, oil fumes, and fuel gases. Cuts, bruises, burns, and broken bones may result from accidents while working on equipment. Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Federal Wage System Qualifications. For this position, the job element method is used to match what you, the applicant, can do against what the work calls for. Your knowledge, skills and abilities will be compared to the knowledge, skills and abilities (called job elements) needed for success. Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element (WG-2 and higher only; screen-outs are not applicable to WG-1). Applicants who appear to meet the screen out element are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated from consideration. The potential eligibles are rated against the remainder of the job elements. While a specific length of training and experience is not required, your responses to the questionnaire must be supported by detailed descriptions of your experience on your resume. You will be rated on the following Job Elements as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: LEAD OR SUPERVISE (SCREEN-OUT ELEMENT) EQUIPMENT ASSEMBLY, INSTALLATION, REPAIR, ETC. OPERATION OF EQUIPMENT/MACHINERY TECHNICAL PRACTICES MEASURING INSTRUMENTS INTERPRET INSTRUCTIONS, SPECIFICATIONS (OTHER THAN BLUEPRINT READING) DEXTERITY AND SAFETY IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. 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. 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; religious; 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.
The Boiler Plant Operator Supervisor supports the delivery of quality health care in a cost-effective manner by having the responsibility of maintaining the 24-hour, 7-day-a-week operation of a high-pressure Boiler Plant consisting of three 740-horsepower boilers, with a total maximum capacity of 153,180 pounds of steam per hour and the auxiliary equipment to produce and control the amount of steam required by the medical center. The major duties include but are not limited to: Responsible for the operation of the Heat Extractor system, which produces tempered water for Boiler Plant use and reclaimed heat for the hospital's fresh air supply; Monitors and responds to the alarms generated by the Energy Management Computer system; Oversees the operation of the Digitize Base-Loop Fire Alarm System; Performs maintenance and periodic testing, including record keeping for a 150 kilowatt emergency generator with automatic transfer switches; Supervises Boiler Plant Operators; plans, schedules, and changes work assignments as necessary; defines standards of quality and quantity to be met; establishes deadlines and priorities; and reviews work while in progress or after completion; Determines material, equipment, and maintenance needs and ensures they are requested in a timely manner to assure uninterruption of critical operations; Coordinates the work of the section with other sections as necessary; Performs duties of subordinates when required to promote effectiveness of the section; Provides information and advice to higher-level supervision on budget estimates by preparing budget worksheets; Oversees, analyzes, and maintains operational records of work production, prepares the Boiler Plant logs and equipment, and compiles information for Central Office reports; Plans and schedules all training of operating personnel; Drafts position descriptions, performance standards, routine memoranda, and specifications for recurring maintenance services; Schedules and approves leave requests, sets performance standards, conducts performance appraisals, counsel employees, resolves informal complaints and grievances, and initiates personnel actions as needed; Interviews and selects new employees; and, Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Recruitment Incentive: May be authorized for highly qualified candidates Relocation Incentive: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved