A Stationary Engineer or Boiler Operator operates and repairs stationary mechanical equipment such as engines or boilers for buildings and industrial use.
Palo Alto, CA (VA Palo Alto Healthcare System) — with rotating assignments at
Menlo Park, CA and Livermore, CA Job Type:
Full-time, Contract | 24/7 rotating shift coverage (Day, Swing, Graveyard) About the Role We're hiring an experienced Boiler Plant Operator to support high-pressure boiler operations across three VA Palo Alto Healthcare System (VAPAHCS) facilities: Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and Livermore, CA. This is a hands-on, high-responsibility role for a skilled tradesperson who can independently operate, maintain, and troubleshoot complex boiler systems in a 24/7 healthcare facility environment. You'll cross-train on all three boiler plants (Nebraska fire tube boilers at Palo Alto and Menlo Park, Unilux water tube boilers at Livermore) and serve as "Operator in Charge" on a rotating basis, including nights, weekends, and holidays. What You'll Do Operate and monitor high-pressure steam boilers (5,000-35,000 lbs/hour capacity) fueled by natural gas, fuel oil, or dual fuel Run and maintain auxiliary equipment: feed-water pumps, condensate systems, water softeners, air compressors, reverse osmosis systems, emergency generators, and combustion/burner management controls Perform preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, and repairs on mechanical, electrical, and pneumatic boiler plant systems Test and maintain boiler safety devices (flame extinction, low/high water cutouts, purge and combustion monitoring systems) per VHA safety standards Conduct water treatment testing and chemical analysis for feed water, boiler water, and condensate Read and interpret gauges, meters, recorders, and computerized control data to adjust plant operations Serve as Operator in Charge during independent shifts (75-80% of scheduled shifts), making real-time operational decisions without direct supervision Respond to after-hours emergency calls, fire/medical gas/HVAC alarm panels, and initiate emergency protocols (Callback Cascade, Spill Containment) as needed Maintain compliance with Lock-Out Tag-Out and Confined Space Entry programs Oversee building/vehicle key issuance and related documentation Provide courteous, professional customer service to veterans, staff, and visitors Schedule 24/7/365 operation across 3 rotating 8-hour shifts (
Day:
8am-4pm,
Swing:
4pm-12am,
Graveyard:
12am-8am) Arrive 15 minutes early for shift handover (paid as overtime) Maximum 5 shifts/week, no back-to-back shifts, one shift per 24-hour period Includes rotating weekends and federal holidays (paid at regular hourly rate) Qualifications Boiler operator's license preferred, not mandatory (VA's Safe Steaming training required upon hire) Thorough knowledge of mechanical, electro-mechanical, and pneumatic boiler systems Working knowledge of electronic/computerized boiler controls Skilled in troubleshooting, repairing, and maintaining single- and multi-fuel power boilers and auxiliary/pollution control equipment Experience with water treatment procedures and chemical testing Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and exercise sound judgment in emergencies Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint); VISTA experience a plus Strong written and verbal English communication skills Ability to lift/carry up to 50 lbs unassisted (occasionally more with assistance) Comfortable working in confined spaces, elevated catwalks, high heat, and noise Physical Requirements Moderate to strenuous physical effort, including extended standing, walking, climbing, bending, and crouching in an industrial boiler plant environment.
