Summary
This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Domestic Defense Industrial Base & Major Range & Test Facilities to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service. About the Position: This position overhauls, repairs, and maintains high- and low-pressure boiler systems and auxiliary equipment, to include precision mechanical repairs, safety control testing, plant operation, and hazardous materials handling.
Responsibilities
Operate gas/oil utility boilers and feedwater systems under varying loads. Maintain steam supply via watchstanding, burner modulation, bottom/surface blowdowns, and logs.
Install, repair, and modify high-pressure steam mains, condensate piping, steam traps, and PRV stations to eliminate energy losses, prevent water hammer damage, and maintain continuous thermal utility delivery.
Rig, fabricate, and maneuver heavy boiler vessels, drums, and casings using hoists, come-alongs, and torches to safely position and anchor oversized machinery in confined spaces.
Analyze boiler water and condensate purity via titration tests for pH, hardness, and TDS. Adjust chemical metering pumps to prevent scale deposition.
Execute seasonal boiler layup and alkaline boil-out commissioning via wet nitrogen capping, dry desiccant charges, and heated chemical flushes.
Qualifications
Who May Apply: US Citizens 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; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. There is no specific length of training or experience required. However, you must be able to demonstrate, through experience shown in your written application materials that you possess the sufficient knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the work of this position without more than normal supervision. Minimum Qualifications (Screen Out Element): Ability to do the work of a(n) Boiler Plant Equipment Mechanic ~ without more than normal supervision. The ability to perform common boiler maintenance routines, equipment servicing, and basic operational tending tasks under guidance, and can assist in pulling and cleaning boiler tubes, chipping and laying standard firebrick, resurfacing handhole and manway gaskets, replacing basic valves and gauges, and operating boilers under established procedures - Failure to meet this Screen out Element will result in an ineligible rating. PHYSICAL EFFORTS In repairing boilers, employee lifts, stoops, and carries heavy objects such as bricks, burners, tubes, valves, and piping. May be required to work in cramped and awkward positions such as kneeling and crawling into boiler furnaces and drums through manholes. Requires physical dexterity to reach and use hands to check work concealed from view, and a high degree of rapid mental and physical coordination. WORKING CONDITIONS Work is almost entirely inside, outside, or on top of boilers and is in constant contact with dampness, soot, poor ventilation, noise, vibrations, steam and dirt. Works with hand and power tools and in close contact with safety valves, gauges and gas valves. Protective devices include safety shoes, hard hats, coveralls, safety glasses, respirators, face shields, heavy gloves and ear plugs.