Summary The Boiler Plant Equipment Mechanic position is located in the Facilities Engineering service at The VA St. Louis Healthcare System - John Cochran & Jefferson Barracks Divisions. The boiler plant consists of three high pressure boilers, each rated at 33,000 pounds of steam per hour, plus associated equipment, such as storage tank deaerator, pre-heater, steam station, flow controls, water softener, high pressure pumps, air compressor, air dryers, and related controls. Responsibilities Duties include but are not limited to: Disassembles and repairs various sizes and types of industrial heating equipment. Disassembles units and cleans parts with solvent, steam, and air. Fits parts and reassembles units, which involves the checking, removal and replacement of bearings, gages, pressure regulators, valves, heating coils, traps, burners, and other related parts. Repairs fire boxes under boilers. Repairs refractions in boiler firebox, baffles in boilers, and replaces tubes in boilers. Removes and installs equipment by bolting and unbolting the frames. Reads and comprehends maintenance-repair manuals and prints. Overhauls feed water pumps, condensate return pumps, brine pumps, and fuel oil pumps either steam or electrically driven. Assists Utility Systems Operator test and treat water used in steam production and cooling water, also maintain proper water levels and constant steam pressure. Performs other related duties as assigned. Promotion Potential: This position is for WG-10. There is no promotion potential for this position. Work Schedule: Full-Time, Monday-Friday 7:00am - 3:30pm Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Not Authorized Position Description Title/PD#: Boiler Plant Equipment Mechanic/PD05332A Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Duty Station: John Cochran Division and Jefferson Barracks Division; however, the duty station may be changed to one of multiple locations within the VA St. Louis Health Care System based on the needs of the facility. Work Environment: A. Employee will be subject to abnormal heat, noise, cold, toxic amounts of gas and handling of poisonous chemicals, subject to hazards of boiler explosions, steam, blowbacks, scalding water, bums from contact with boilers and steam pipes, and electrical shock (4160 volts). Required to work in inadequately lighted and ventilated areas with emergency trouble light. Mental application is a necessity due to the complexity of plant equipment and systems being operated and being alert at all times for equipment malfunctions causing an emergency. Employee may be exposed to noise levels exceeding 85dBA for up to 8 hours per day. This exposure may adversely affect hearing. The wearing of ear protective devices while in the Boiler and Air Conditioning Plant is mandatory as is participation in the Hearing Conservation Program. Employee must be able to hear while wearing ear protection at the level to safely perform assigned duties. B. Employee may be exposed to toxic fumes, gases, and airborne particles in the performance of duties. This exposure may adversely affect pulmonary function. The wearing of a protective respirator that will reduce the possibility of pulmonary damage is mandatory when working in areas where toxic exposure is a possibility. OSHA requirements mandate that employees are required to use a respirator, NOT have a beard, and pass a baseline pulmonary function test prior to use of a respirator. (The only exceptions to this will be existing employees that have or develop a documented medical condition that would prevent their participation in the program) - (new employees or existing VA Medical Center employees applying for a position will be screened through a pre-employment physical). Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 You may be required to serve a probationary/trial period Subject to background/security investigation Pre-employment physical required Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/05/2025. 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 Do the Work of the Position without More Than Normal Supervision Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading) Materials Technical Practices Troubleshooting Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment 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: Incumbent must be able to climb stairways and ladders, lift heavy objects, crawl and stoop in close spaces. Heavy physical exertion is required in opening and closing heavy valves, cleaning equipment, lubricating, and other maintenance work. Crawling into small openings and working in confined spaces in cramped positions is also required. Education 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. 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.