Boiler Plant Operator

Summary These positions are located in the USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Northeast Area, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC), Facilities Division/Utilities Management Unit (UMU), located in Beltsville, MD. In these positions, you will serve as the Operator-in-Charge on rotating shifts in order to operate and maintain two 24/7 boiler plants, including assessing the operation of heating platforms throughout campus, planning for fluctuating workloads, and coordinating work for the team. Learn more about this agency Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a US Citizen or US National. Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt. Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check. Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served. Direct Deposit – Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/ Must possess and maintain a valid, State-issued motor vehicle operator’s license to operate Government-owned vehicles. Must be qualified as a Grade 1 Stationary Engineer License by the State of Maryland, Department of Licensing and Regulation, Board of Examining Engineers. This is an essential position. Incumbent is required to report for duty during emergencies, critical periods, or during times when the Government is closed due to inclement weather or budget cut-off. Safety and Health – The incumbent performs duties in a supportive manner of a safe and healthy work environment and uses appropriate ergonomic principles for healthy office work. Incumbent may be required to work a non-standard tour of duty, rotating day, and night shifts, and/or alternative work schedules because of extended coverage needed for certain conditions such as mission requirements, etc. May be required to work weekends, evenings, holidays, or after hours, as necessary. The incumbent applies knowledge of and adheres to Departmental civil rights policies, goals, and objectives, with a philosophy of valuing diversity in performing everyday duties and responsibilities. The incumbent contributes to a productive and nondiscriminatory work environment through written and oral communications and interpersonal relations. FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT (FLSA): This position is non-exempt from the FLSA in accordance with 5 CFR 551.202. Qualifications In order to qualify for this position you must meet the following by the closing date of the vacancy announcement: 12/18/2024. Qualifications will be determined under the Job Element Rating System X-118C, Qualifications Standard Handbook. While a specific length of time and experience is not required for most Wage Grade positions, you must show through experience and training that you possess the best qualified level of knowledge and skill necessary to perform the duties of this position. Qualification requirements emphasize the quality of experience, not necessarily the length. The responses to the questionnaire and your resume should be in significant detail to provide the person rating your application with a good understanding of your ability to do the job, technical knowledge, work, and training experience, etc. (For example You must have the ability to perform the duties of a, Boiler Plant Operatorwithout more than normal supervision (Screen Out). Applicants who do not meet the SCREEN OUT ELEMENT will not be given further consideration. Selective Placement Factor(s): In addition to the experience requirement above, this position has a selective placement factor (SPF). Selective Placement Factors are special requirements, in addition to the minimum requirements, that are essential in successfully performing the duties of this job. If SPF experience is not documented in your resume, you will not receive further consideration under this announcement. Motor vehicle drivers license. Qualified Grade 1 Stationary Engineer License by state of MD, Department of Licensing and Regulation, Board of Examining Engineers. Physical Effort: Work requires close hand and eye coordination, active walking, prolonged periods of standing on concrete flooring, climbing, bending, reaching, high noise areas, and working in confined spaces or crowded areas. The incumbent may be required to lift equipment or material weighing up to 75 lbs. Work Environment: The incumbent generally performs the duties inside heated facilities, but may require work on facility structures and grounds during inclement weather. Work in areas where equipment is in continual operation, noise levels are abnormal and prevail. Subject to infection, mechanical injury, gas, cuts, bruises, dirt, steam, and grease. Incumbent is also subject to toxic fumes from welding, soldering and sparks and danger from flying chips when using power and hand tools. Subject to falls while working on ladders, scaffolds, and roofs of facility buildings. Restrictions of facial hair may be imposed by the supervisor for proper use of personnel protective equipment. Special Additional Responsibilities: Serves as "Operator in Charge" assigned to rotating and alternating shifts where the Supervisor is not available. The operator is responsible for following written instructions from a supervisor or the "operator in charge" on the previous shift. The incumbent performs additional duties which are more responsible and require a slightly higher level of skill and knowledge than full performance level operators with a supervisor available to provide specific guidance and assistance. The possesses a thorough knowledge of the entire BARC steam or hot water system and user requirements in order to locate problems and initiate immediate corrective action to maintain adequate steam or hot water production. Education This position does not have an education qualification requirement. Additional information Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. This position is being concurrently announced under Merit Promotion Announcement Number ARS-M25Y-12608054-ST. Current or former Federal employees or other eligible applicants may apply to both announcements to expand all possibilities of consideration since different referral criteria apply to each type of announcement. See the above announcement for more information. Recruitment or Relocation Incentive may be authorized. Final determination to pay an incentive will be made by the hiring official at time of job offer. This position may be eligible to telework up to four days per week, based upon the duties of the position. This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements. This position is designated as a bargaining unit position and is represented by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE). Read more Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window Learn more about federal benefits. Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.