Boiler Plant Operator

Overview

This position is located in the Boiler Plant, at the James

E. Van Zandt Medical Center. The plant operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and contains three automatic gas and/or oil burning boilers with a total plant capacity of 41,400 pounds of steam per hour. The boilers are equipped with a central management SCADA system. Every operation of the boilers is stored into a Cleaver Brooks Hawk program. This program monitors and maintains parameters of pressures, temperatures, and safety devices.

• Tests, adjusts, maintains, and repairs boiler safety devices such as flame safeguard systems, pressure switches, pressure differential switches, limit switches, timers, water column safety devices, electric/electronic probes and sensors, steam safety valves, and automatic and manual fuel valves to prevent major pressure vessel failures and/or furnace explosions.
• Visually inspects boiler settings and refractory linings for signs of deterioration and failure due to heat stress resulting in flue gases escaping into the plant and endangering on-duty personnel.
• Monitors, adjusts, and controls all phases of boiler plant operations using manual, automatic, semi-automatic, microprocessor controls or systems.
• Uses electronic, hydraulic, and pneumatic controls, charts, recorders, meters, gauges, and computer-generated data to determine adjustments or corrections necessary for proper boiler operations or changing load requirements.
• Uses tools such as manometers, multimeters, combustion analyzers, test gauges, infrared thermometer, and dead-weight gauge tester to maintain, calibrate, and repair safety devices.
• Operates, adjusts, maintains, and repairs auxiliary equipment.
• Adjusts fuel feeds, volume and velocity of draft and other firebox variables to maintain combustion efficiencies, prevent unexpected shutdowns, and prevent possible furnace explosions.
• Regularly observes and documents information such as pressures, temperatures, levels, and detectors to detect signs of trouble.
• Performs pre-boiler water treatment, including mechanical de-aeration and the use of water softeners to remove hardness and oxygen in make-up waters; tests water samples daily; maintains prescribed chemical dosages and records; tests return waters for proper pH levels to reduce corrosion.
• Maintains and repairs the domestic pumps and the systems located in the Boiler Plant.
• Maintains and monitors the Veeder Root System for fuel oil capacities and tank leaks; calibrates carbon monoxide and combustible systems.
• Replaces steel piping by cutting and threading pipe; performs low-grade welding and uses a cutting torch; replaces motor bearings using a hydraulic press; cuts and solders copper piping; performs repairs and replacements of refractory, tile, and baffle brick; rebuilds or replaces steam reducing valves, large safety valves, steam traps, heat exchangers, and water softeners.
• Rebuilds, repairs, or replaces steam traps and heat exchangers as needed.
• Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:00pm; 4:00pm - 12:00am; 12:00am - 8:00am;
  Rotating Shifts
• Position Description Title/PD#: Boiler Plant Operator / PD01392A

Physical Requirements: Incumbent is subject typically to light to moderate physical effort. Adjustment of valves (opening and closing) and lifting items to a workbench is often required. Occasionally, lifting over 50 pounds may be required.

Requirements: (information present in the original description; no additional requirements added)