Job Information
Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration Boiler Plant Operator Supvr in Buffalo, New York
Summary This position is assigned to the Engineering Department within the Western NY Healthcare System VA located at the Buffalo site. Serves as the primary technical expert and is responsible for the operations, repair and maintenance of the central boiler plant serving the Buffalo Medical Center. The incumbent will supervise the Boiler Plant Unit under the direction of the Operations and Planning Supervisor. Responsibilities The Boiler Plant Supervisor has the responsibility for ensuring timely completion and reporting of maintenance activities, updating of the steam generation infrastructure and the various associated equipment serving the central plant. Develops and institutes preventive maintenance procedures for new equipment and systems. Coordinates and schedules both short and long term projects to include major and minor equipment repair and replacements. This task often requires the Supervisor to interface with other maintenance department shops as well as clinical and administrative departments. Coordinating work and projects among other shop supervisors based on the workload and priorities. When other departments are affected by work of the unit, the incumbent coordinates all work with the department head/supervisor to minimally affect other departments. Adherence to schedule and budget are primary factors to the prioritization of work. Projects are scheduled based on the criticality and need and available funding. Establishes deadlines, priorities, and work sequences, and plans work assignments based on general work schedules, methods, and policies set by higher level supervisors. Responsible for planning and performance of both simple and complex shutdowns that may involve disruption of heat, hot water or process steam service facility wide. Develops and promulgates all standard operating procedures for the unit Reviews work and develops and implements methods to improve production and work performance reports, and finds methods to increase work quality. Responsible for day-to-day and long term planning and organization of all work for the assigned operators. This includes but is not limited to prioritizing all assigned routine and emergency work assignments for the daily shift, assigning preventive maintenance based on computer generated preventive schedules and other routine duties. Plans the use of subordinate workers, equipment, facilities, materials and tools based on the short and long term planning needs of the unit. Determines the number and types of workers needed to accomplish specific projects. Incumbent assigns work orally and through work orders accompanied by shop sketches or blue prints and ensures that all work requests are prioritized and completed in a timely fashion. Schedules the overall time and leave of subordinates while taking workload into consideration. Maintaining appropriate staffing levels for operation by reviewing and approving all requests for vacation, holiday and routine sick leave requests. Distributes overtime and compensatory time as equitably as possible based on the needs of the facility and employee abilities. Participates in interviews and hiring of new employees for specific unit. Initiates recommendations for promotions, sets performance standards, completes formal evaluations, and issues or recommends disciplinary actions. Hears grievances, identifies and provides training, evaluates contractor work, and recommends awards and position classification. Redirects individual workers and resources to accomplish unanticipated work. Informs higher level supervisors of the need to revise work schedules and re-estimate labor and other resources. Incumbent plans, directs, schedules, and supervises work performed by the Boiler Plant unit staff based on coverage, priorities, and regulatory compliance. Offers technical advice and leadership in completing complex tasks such as troubleshooting, repairing and maintaining systems. Work Schedule: 0600-1430 Position Description Title/PD#: Boiler Plant Operator Supvr/PD094610 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 You may be required to serve a probationary period Subject to background/security investigation Pre-employment physical required Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 12/17/2024. 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. SCREEN-OUT ELEMENT: Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element, which usually appears as question 1 in the on-line questionnaire. Those applicants who appear to possess at least the minimal acceptable qualification requirement are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated. The potential eligibles are then rated against the remainder of the Job Elements: Ability to Lead or Supervise Dexterity and Safety Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading) Measuring Instruments Operation of Equipment/Machinery 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; religions; 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. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. 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. Physical Requirements/Working Conditions: The work performed requires walking, standing, stooping, kneeling, sitting, crouching, climbing ladders, stairs and steps. When performing repairs or making installations or performing preventive maintenance, the incumbent is required to use both hands above the head as well as below the shoulders. The incumbent must also be able to lift weights of over fifty pounds. Must have good eyesight and hearing. Required to enter confined spaces when cleaning and inspecting boilers and boiler tubes. The incumbent is required to work around moving machinery. Works generally indoors, but some tanks and equipment are outdoors; where it is necessary to work under all weather conditions. Will be exposed to contact with high pressure steam, high pressure oil, hot water, high voltage, moving equipment and heavy duty equipment. May be exposed to dangerous situations (boilers may burst and release scalding water). Operator may be exposed to gas, oil, or chemical fumes, and/or may be subject to cuts, bruises, and broken bones resulting from accidents while working around machinery and equipment. Education There is no education requirement. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or 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. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. 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. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. 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. 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. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.