Boiler Plant Operator

Location: 500 N 5th St, Hot Springs, SD 57747

Duration: 12 months contract

Client: Hot Springs VA Medical Center

Primary Responsibilities

The Boiler Plant Operator will be responsible for operating and maintaining a boiler plant that includes four boilers with a capacity of 55,000 pounds of steam per hour. These boilers are fired by #2 ultra-low sulfur fuel oil and are used to produce saturated or superheated steam to meet challenging load demands. The operator must ensure the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of the boiler plant while adhering to environmental and safety regulations.

Operations

Key Duties:

Monitor and adjust electronic, hydraulic, and pneumatic controls, as well as zone charts, meters, gauges, and DDC computer-generated data to optimize boiler operations.

Adjust firing controls to achieve the correct air-fuel mixture, regulate fuel feeds, and manage air drafts to ensure maximum combustion efficiency.

Analyze boiler feed water, boiler water, and condensate using standard chemical tests.

Determine and apply the appropriate chemical treatments to control concentrations, remove impurities, and stabilize water conditions.

Maintenance

Inspect, repair, and replace equipment such as boilers, burners, combustion controls, flow meters, and feed water pumps.

Operate and maintain the Medical Center’s water supply pumps, water softeners, and chlorinators.

Repair major steam and water piping assemblies and ensure proper expansion and contraction of piping.

Maintain the reverse osmosis water unit and other auxiliary equipment.

Emergency Preparedness

Operate emergency electrical generators to meet the plant’s electrical requirements when the main electrical source is unavailable.

Monitor and manage fuel oil tanks, including heating during winter months, leak detection, and spill prevention in compliance with the Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plan.

Compliance And Reporting

Ensure compliance with air emission laws and regulations, including completing the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources (SDDENR) Title 5 air permit requirements.

Maintain operation logs, including fuel usage, O2 trim adjustments, and boiler stack opacity.

Safety And Environmental Stewardship

Adhere to lockout/tagout and confined space procedures to ensure a safe working environment.

Support the facility’s legionella prevention program by monitoring and adjusting chlorine residuals within potable water systems.

Maintain compliance with the VA’s Green Environmental Management System (GEMS) and ensure proper storage, handling, and disposal of chemicals and wastes.

Customer Service

Consistently communicate and treat customers (veterans, representatives, visitors, contractors, and staff) with courtesy, tact, and respect.

Handle conflict constructively and provide accurate information to customers.

Skills And Knowledge Required

Thorough knowledge of steam generation, water tube and fire tube boiler operation, and safety codes.

Familiarity with technical manuals and the ability to analyze information from gauges, meters, and computer-generated data.

Proficiency in using combustion testing equipment and opacity readings to optimize boiler performance.

Knowledge of water treatment processes, including reverse osmosis systems, water softeners, and chemical dosing.

Understanding of the Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure Plan for managing fuel oil systems and spill containment.

Competency in lockout/tagout, confined space procedures, and compliance with boiler safety inspections as per the VHA boiler safety manual.

Tools And Equipment

Measuring tapes, sliding squares, plumb bobs, drills, grinders, thread tools, cutters, pipe wrenches, sandblasters, welding equipment, and hand tools.

Pollution control equipment and combustion testing tools for air emission compliance.

Physical Requirements

Ability to work in confined areas and around boilers with exposure to high temperatures, noise, dirt, grease, and chemicals.

Frequent walking, standing, climbing, bending, and lifting of items weighing up to 40 pounds unassisted (occasionally over 40 pounds with assistance).

Work Conditions

Primarily indoor work with occasional short periods outdoors.

Subject to burns, cuts, abrasions, and exposure to hazardous materials.

Certifications And Licenses

Must obtain a South Dakota Rural Water License for basic water treatment.

Work Schedule

Shift work to sustain 24/7 operations, with typical shifts of:

8:00 AM to 4:00 PM

4:00 PM to 12:00 AM

12:00 AM to 8:00 AM