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.
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.
This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.
The posted pay range is $28.31 – $33.03/hr.
This position requires a Other security clearance.
Applications close on 2026-10-09.
This position is open under the 'Fed Transition' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government
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