New

High Pressure Boiler Plant Operator

22nd Century Technologies, Inc.
Payrate: $35 /hr on w2
United States, California, Palo Alto
Jan 06, 2026
Title: High Pressure Boiler Plant Operator Location: Palo Alto, CA, 94304 Duration: 12 + months Shifts Timing: Day Shift: 8.00 am to 4.00 pm - arrive at 7.45 am- Swing Shift: 4.00 pm to 12.00 am - arrive at 3.45 am-Graveyard Shift: 12.00 am to 8.00 pm - arrive at 11.45 pm Payrate: $35-/hr on w2 Role and Responsibilities: Plant Operations and Maintenance - 80 Percent of duties and responsibilities: The high-pressure boiler plant is a complex system as reflected by the large number of components and auxiliary equipment that are monitored and used as a basis for judgments and operating decisions. boiler plant operators will also be required to operate auxiliary equipment includes, but is not limited to, electrical/electronic driven feed-water pumps, condensate transfer pumps, desecrating feed-water heater, condensate holding tank, duplex condensate pumps, duplex water softener, fuel oil pumps, blow-down tank, air compressors, air dryer, reverse osmosis system, emergency generator, combustion controls, burner management controls, flow meters, gauges, thermometers, oxygen meters, steam, and oil pressure regulators, sump pumps, microprocessor controls, and electronic recorders. Depending on the boiler plant, there is a total steam generation capacity from 5,000 to 35,000 pounds per hour. The types of boilers in inventory are both fire tube and water tube. Boilers operated are fueled by either natural gas, fuel oil, or a combination of these fuels to produce steam required to meet dynamic steam loads. The Boiler Plant Operator runs the steam boilers under constant attention to maintain efficiency and to control formation of combustion pollutants, ensuring compliance with local air pollution laws or regulations. The Boiler Plant Operator is responsible for preventive maintenance and repairs of stream plant equipment and plant in a clean, safe working environment. Boiler Plant Operators at this level need practical knowledge of electronic theory and design and ability to use theoretical concepts to devise solutions for operating or repair problems on one-of-a-kind systems in which Client engineering approaches have created unforeseen problems. They exercise skill in interpreting electronic, electrical, and mechanical drawings, specifications, and schematics of complete custom systems such as a new automated boiler and chiller controls. They require skill in troubleshooting complex electronic systems characterized by unusual circuit arrangements. Boiler Plant Operator repair, troubleshoot, and maintain single-and-multiple fuel power boilers and associated auxiliary and pollution control equipment such as water treatment systems, chemical dispensers, and electrostatic precipitators. Boilers serviced at this level typically include a variety of auxiliary components such as fuel delivery systems, induced draft fans, conveyor belts, preheaters, worm screw feeders, de-aerating equipment, water treatment equipment, economizers, and air compressors that often require regular adjustment and maintenance to meet rigid tolerances. Ongoing technological advancements in electronic industrial controls and computerization of boiler plant facilities have had and will continue to have an impact on facilities generating steam or high temperature hot water. As a consequence, work within this occupation, in certain work situations, may require familiarity or working knowledge of electronic controls and computerized control equipment for boiler plant operations and monitoring of various utility systems. Plant Testing: To accomplish the mission, the Boiler Plant Operator must be proficient in use of tools and testing devices associated with the above-described trades, such as hand tools, multimeter, and electrical power tools. The Boiler Plant Operator's work will be subject to spot checks for adherence to policies, quantity, and quality of work. The Boiler Plant Operator is responsible for making the decision to add or secure boilers as Division heating requirements dictate. Additionally, they are responsible for maintaining and operating equipment at the highest cost effectiveness and efficiency. This means maintaining steam pressure at the minimum necessary for the proper operation of the plant and connected loads. The Boiler Plant Operator has a major part in service steam conservation program focused particularly on maintaining steam traps, condensate pumps, and the integrity of piping systems and pipe insulation. Steam and condensate leaks and other necessary repairs must be reported and given a high priority. The Boiler Plant Operator is responsible to carry required steam load- shedding plan for implementation during a boiler plant emergency that reduces steam- generating capability and identifies the critical loads to be served, to the greatest extent possible, without compromising boiler plant safety. Boiler Plant Operator uses and tests electronic, hydraulic, and pneumatic controls, and zone charts in conjunction with meters, gauges, and computer-generated data to determine adjustments or corrections necessary for proper boiler operations or changing load requirements. Boiler plant operator operates, adjust, and maintain auxiliary equipment such as electrical or steam driven pumps, forced fans, air compressors, feed water heaters, and water softener units. Boiler Plant Operator regularly observes and note readings on gauges, meters, detectors, recorders, boiler water level indicators, and computer generated and analog displays to detect danger signals in operations. Boiler Plant Operator tests feed water, boiler water, and condensate using standard chemical tests and determines the treatment and chemicals to be used to control chemical concentrations, remove impurities and entrapped gases, or stabilize fluctuating water conditions in the boiler. Boiler Plant Operator must be proficient in the operation of safety devices such as flame extinction, automatic re-ignition, low water cut-outs, high pressure cut- outs, and purge and combustion monitoring safety devices. Boiler Plant Operator performs operational maintenance and repairs of limited to moderate complexity on mechanical parts and systems and may be required to perform limited or basic electrical repairs. Boiler Plant Operator may operate emergency electrical generators to meet plant electrical requirements when the main utility electrical source is unable to provide the necessary electrical power. Special Additional Responsibilities - 20 Percent of duties and responsibilities: All Boiler Plant Operators in the VAPAHCS are required to be trained and able to operate all boilers at all three geographically separate locations. Palo Alto, Menlo Park and Livermore Divisions boiler plants require continuous monitoring and Boiler Plant Operators may not leave the plant during their respective shift. Each VAPAHCS Division high-pressure boiler plant independent and not satellites of each other. The Boiler Plant Operator can be the "Operator in Charge " of any of the three independent boiler plants in VAPAHCS. While Boiler Plant Operators generally work routine schedules for several months at a time, all Boiler Plant Operators are required to serve as an independent Boiler Plant Operator when working night shift, weekends, and holidays, on a rotating basis. Additionally, after accounting for leave in the 7-day, 3-shift plan, all Boiler Plant Operators in VAPAHCS will work independently 75 to 80% of their shift assignments. The Boiler Plant Operator is unsupervised and is responsible for ensuring operational techniques and maintenance procedures are carried out. The "operator in charge " is responsible for following written instructions from a supervisor or the "operator in charge " on the previous shift. The "operator in charge" is responsible for relaying instructions to the next shift operator, including problems encountered and action taken. Additionally, after working hours, weekends, and holidays, Boiler Plant Operators receive emergency trouble calls about the Division's facilities during afterhours and perform first response actions and address urgent issues. Boiler Plant Operators may be called upon to perform duties normally considered outside the boiler plant operator's expertise, exercising judgement and using creativity to solve problems. Skills and Knowledge Required: Boiler operator's license: A license is not mandatory but preferable. The employee will be required to successfully complete Safe Steaming training module on VA's Talent Management System (TMS) upon start of work at VA. Thorough knowledge of mechanical, electro-mechanical and pneumatic principles. Working knowledge of electronics to repair and maintain power boilers and associated auxiliary and pollution control equipment. Thorough knowledge of automatic and semiautomatic boiler management systems using manual, electric, electronic, pneumatic, and mechanical controls. Skill in troubleshooting, maintaining, repairing, and replacing defective equipment and components. Working knowledge of electronic controls and devices, sufficient to identify problem areas and assess repair requirements. Makes major repairs to pollution control equipment. Skill in use of stationary and industrial type power equipment. Skill in the use of test equipment (e.g., pyrometers, ohmmeters, and flow meters). Boiler Plant Operator applies a comprehensive knowledge of operational phases the boiler plant operations and their interrelationships for efficient and economical generation of high-pressure steam. Boiler plant operators applies knowledge of principles and theories pertaining to combustion, heat transfer, and steam generation in the operation of central boiler plant. In addition, he applies a thorough knowledge of structural and operating characteristics of single and multiple fuel boilers and associated auxiliary and any pollution control equipment or systems to properly operate, adjust, troubleshoot, and maintain the equipment and systems. Boiler Plant Operator applies a thorough knowledge of water treatment procedures and water analysis, using standard chemical tests. Boiler Plant Operator have a thorough knowledge of water treatment equipment and systems. Boiler Plant Operator have a thorough knowledge of chemical and physical aspects of sulfur- containing fuels and chemical reactions involved in combustion, and the relationship between fuel quality and combustion efficiency. Boiler Plant Operator has the skill to act independently in operating the high-pressure steam boilers from cold starts through normal operation and hot or emergency shutdowns. Boiler Plant Operator can stabilize boilers in a closed system when one boiler starts to go down while maintaining safe levels and efficient combustion. Boiler Plant Operator has skill in operation and adjustment of associated auxiliary and any pollution control equipment. Boiler Plant Operator has skill in reading and analyzing information from gauges, meters, recorders, analog displays, and computer-generated data to determine the operational status of the facility and necessary adjustments. Boiler Plant Operator can make individual and sequential adjustments to a variety of controls and equipment to achieve and maintain maximum efficiency of equipment and systems being operated. VHA Boiler Safety Device Testing: The checking safety devices are necessary and must be conducted on safety devices associated with boiler plant operations to ensure the boiler safety devices are operational and safe. Boiler Plant Operator is required to have thorough knowledge of the boiler and associated auxiliary equipment safety devices. This knowledge includes a description of each safety device, how it works, what its purpose is, and how to test the device. Boiler Plant Operator needs to have the knowledge and experience of the testing procedures as described in the latest edition of the VHA Boiler Plant Safety Device Testing Manual to perform and oversee the proper evaluation of the operation, setting, replacing to ensure reliability of boiler safety devices. Boiler Plant Operator is required to have thorough knowledge and follow procedures for the VAPAHCS Lock-Out Tag-Out program as an Authorizing Person and Confined Space Entry polices as a Supervisory Person. Boiler Plant Operator has knowledge to act in a limited capacity on behalf of the Boiler Plant Operator Supervisor when boiler plant operator is not present for proper oversight of contracted services.