Boiler Plant Operator

Summary

The position is located in the Boiler Plant Unit
- Facilities Management Services (Engineering) of Edward Hines
- Jr. Veteran's Hospital
- Hines - IL. The primary purpose of this position is to provide utility steam, cold domestic water, and hot domestic water required for many processes including sanitation, infection control, and a healthful environment for the delivery of health care. The plant is operated in a safe and economical manner.

To qualify for this position applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 07/13/2026.

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 includes but not limited to:
Knowledge of the structure and operating characteristics of boilers and associated auxiliary equipment; knowledge of the location and function of numerous pumps, valves, regulators, and gauges; knowledge of the chemical and physical characteristics of fuels and principles of combustion, steam generation, and heat transfer; knowledge of the relationship between fuel quality and efficient combustion characteristics; knowledge of water analysis and basic chemical treatments;

skill in adjusting air temperature, draft, and other furnace conditions; ability to recognize malfunctioning equipment/systems and potentially dangerous operating conditions; skill in the use of hand tools, electric, and pneumatic power tools; skill in applying preventative maintenance procedures and limited operational repairs; ability to read and work from blueprints, drawings, and diagrams to diagnose and locate problem areas for repair.

Screen-out element:
Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element. Those applicants that possess at least the minimal acceptable qualification requirement are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and eliminated. Eligibility is then rated against the remainder of the Job Elements. Experience includes paid, unpaid, volunteer, and other relevant experience. Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

Credit is awarded for all qualifying experience including volunteer experience. Applicants must indicate the nature of duties and responsibilities and the number of hours per week spent in each position. Physical requirements/working conditions:
Frequently work in confined areas in and around boilers, requires moderate to strenuous effort and long periods of walking, standing, climbing, bending, crouching, stooping, turning, kneeling, and stretching. Frequently lift above head 25 pounds and carry boiler parts and chemical supplies up to 40 pounds unassisted. Occasionally carry items weighing over 40 pounds with assistance.

• The incumbent is responsible during their assigned tour of duty for the operation, adjustment, and minor repair of four water tube combination oil and natural gas fired high pressure steam boilers.
• Potable water pumping and chlorinating equipment.
• Softened water treatment, dealkalized water treatment facilities, and boiler plant auxiliary equipment such as water and oil pumps, steam turbines, air compressors, internal combustion engines, unit heaters, air handling units, hot water generator tanks, and fixed and portable gas analyzers.
• The incumbent starts up and shuts down boiler and boiler plant auxiliary equipment to meet routine and emergency conditions during assigned tour of duty.
• The incumbent collects, prepares, and performs a chemical analysis of water potable, domestic, boiler feed, soft water, and steam condensate return samples, including the determination of chemicals and dosage to be used.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
• Work schedule:
  
  Multiple fixed schedule, determined at time of hire.
• Position Description Title/PD#:
  Boiler Plant Operator/PD24172A, Critical Skills Incentive (CSI):
  Not approved, Relocation/Recruitment
  
  Incentives:
  
  Not authorized.