Boiler Operator

SUMMARY

Independently start, operate, adjust, stop, maintain, and perform various operational repairs on multi-fuel (oil and natural gas) power boilers and associated auxiliary and pollution control equipment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain efficient combustion levels and ensure compliance with air pollution laws or regulations.
• Monitor, adjust, and control all phases of boiler plant operations through the use of manual, automatic, or microprocessor controls or control systems.
• Use meters, gauges, and computer-generated data to determine adjustments or corrections necessary for proper boiler operations or changing load requirements.
• Adjust equipment as necessary for efficient operation, to include equipment such as alarm devices, burner tips, semi-automatic combustion controls, feed-water deaerators and heaters, fuel heaters, internal chemical injection equipment, automatic stop valves, forced and induced draft fans, fuel and steam pressure control and relief valves, feed water regulators and pumps.
• Operate, adjust, and maintain auxiliary and pollution control equipment such as electrical or steam driven pumps, forced and induced draft fans, air compressors, de-aerating equipment, feed water heaters, automatic stokers, economizers, fuel heaters and delivery equipment, and de-mineralizing systems.
• Adjust fuel feeds and volume and velocity of draft and other fire box variables to achieve maximum combustion efficiency with changing load demands.
• Regularly observe and note readings on gauges, meters, detectors, recorders, boiler water level indicators, and computer generated and analog displays to detect danger signals in operations.
• Remove boiler and auxiliaries from the line if malfunction cannot be corrected during operation.
• Determine the treatment and chemicals to be used to control chemical concentrations, remove impurities and entrapped gases, or stabilize fluctuating water conditions in the boiler.
• Check the operation of safety equipment such as flame extinction, automatic re-ignition, low water cut-outs, high pressure cut-outs, and purge type combustion safeties.
• Perform operational maintenance (e.g., lubricate equipment and power clean water tubes) and make repairs of limited/moderate complexity (e.g., replace or repair valves, gauges, and pumps) on mechanical parts and systems. May be required to perform limited or basic electrical repairs.
• Conduct various tests of boilers and inspects for leaks, corrosion and pitting. Serve as "operator- in-charge" of the complete plant, on second and third shift.
• Apply thorough knowledge of the entire steam or hot water system and user requirements to locate problems and initiate immediate corrective action to maintain adequate steam or hot water production.
• Maintain regular and punctual attendance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

None.