Boiler Operator

Salary: $38.36 Per Hour_

**Summary**:
The purpose of this position is to serve at the journeyman level in operation, troubleshooting, minor maintenance and repair of the high pressure boilers, centrifugal, refrigeration units, air compressors, and their associated auxiliary equipment. Incumbent performs a range of duties which requires a basic knowledge of high pressure boiler, centrifugal compressor refrigeration and compressed air systems. Incumbent spends approximately 90 % of time as an operator and 10 % in maintenance responsibilities.

This position is located in the Division of Technical Resources (DTR), Office of Research

Facilities (ORF), National Institutes of Health (NIH). The position performs work at the Bethesda Campus, MD. The Central Utility Plant operates and maintains: five industrial high pressure steam boilers, each producing 150,000 - 200,000 pounds of steam per hour at 165 psig., for a total steam plant capacity of 800,000 pounds of steam per hour: twelve electrically/steam driven industrial centrifugal refrigeration units of different manufactures with a 5,000 ton capacity each, for a total plant capacity of 60,000 tons and four centrifugal air compressors, with a capacity of 1500 - 3000 CFM each. This industrial equipment is used to supply steam, chilled water and compressed air utility services to over 50 buildings housing a variety of research and medical facilities, a 470 bed research hospital and other administrative buildings located on the NIH reservation.

**Responsibilities**:

- As a boiler plant operator on a rotating shift, incumbent starts, stops, (mechanically or manually) adjusts, maintains and repairs all the multiple boilers and associated auxiliary and pollution control equipment which includes: forced and induced draft fans, feed water pumps, condensate pumps, high pressure water pumps, deaerating equipment, etc. Incumbent observes and controls at the central control board. This position regularly observes and notes readings of draft and flue gauges, steam production recorder, pressure gauges, steam production recorder, boiler water level indicators, feed water flow and pressure, and flame detectors. The operation adjusts control to assure proper steam and oil mixture on burners to achieve maximum combustion efficiency in compliance with air pollution laws and produce steam required to meet load demands.
- Incumbent starts, stops, operates, adjusts, maintains and repairs large electrically driven refrigeration units and associated auxiliary equipment including cooling towers, pumps, steam reduction stations, etc. The operator assures the proper chilled water temperature for outgoing return water at maximum plant operation or proper chilled water supply. This position troubleshoots operational problems by locating and checking various elements such as those which control low and high side pressure; the temperature of the refrigeration units; the temperature of the liquid and suction lines; and the running time of the various mechanisms.
- This position operates and maintains three central 1500 - 3000 CFM air compressors, changes oil and filters when necessary. Incumbent tests two 300,000 gallon water softeners and regenerates and adjusts chemicals and water flow when necessary to assure efficiency. The operator receives fuel oil into main tanks (two tanks of 529,000 gallons each) and transfers oil to day tanks and operates necessary equipment to accomplish this. Incumbent verifies that the proper amount of oil is delivered. This position operates sump pump and heating and ventilating equipment in the power plant.
- Incumbent assures that established plant procedures are followed and that all safety precautions are observed. Incumbent conducts a complete physical check of plant on a regular basis during shift where all auxiliary equipment is inspected and checked. The operator remains constantly on the alert to detect malfunctioning equipment, takes necessary steps to check on incinerator equipment, starts, and stops the equipment as necessary. Incumbent operates sump pump and heating and ventilating equipment in the power plant.
- This operator trains and instructs lower grade employees. Incumbent conforms to all safety rules of the plant and is familiar with all casualty control drills and the Instruction Manual.
- Incumbent may be assigned as Acting Shift Head during scheduled or emergency leave of the BPO Leader.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.

**Skill and Knowledge**:

- Skill and knowledge to operate all of the equipment and systems in the refrigeration plant and to operate all of the equipment in the boiler plant.
- Comprehensive knowledge of all operational phases of heating boiler plant operations and their interrelationships for efficient and economical generation of high pressure steam, utilizing microprocessor control systems.
- Skill in the procedures and adjustments necessary to start, stop, adjust and troubleshoot the equipment in the pl