BOILERMAKER (3808)

Classification Series 3808 (knowing the series number can be useful when searching for a specific occupation in USAJOBS.com under the advanced search tab) Also available through the NNSY Apprenticeship Program see Apprenticeship Tab

What would I be DOING in this OCCUPATION?

The Norfolk Naval Shipyard Boilermaking shop handles many various types of metal forming and pressure related tasks. This occupation includes jobs involved in the modification, fabrication, repair, assembly, and installation of boilers, tanks, condensers, uptakes, stacks, other pressure vessels, and similar structures of heavy gauge metal plate.

What QUALIFICATIONS do I need? Some positions require:
Nuclear: current nuclear qualifications and experience or Non-nuclear: experience not requiring nuclear qualifications

What if I want to be an INSPECTOR?
Some positions require nuclear experience.

[The following informaiton was featured in Service to the Fleet a Publication of Norfolk Naval Shipyard:

   Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) is the last of the four naval shipyards to still house the boilermaker craft. As one of the smallest shops in the yard, Shop 41 has 104 boilermakers; they perform work both here and travel extensively to assist the other yards. As premier craftsmen, boilermakers have, throughout time, not only built boilers which generate steam; but also influenced the nation’s economy, social infrastructure and military readiness.

   The profession of boilermaker dates back to the 1800’s. Their relevance greatly advanced during the Industrial Revolution when the need for steam, which began with the railroad, was in demand. As industry advanced it was only natural this unique craft would take a major role in naval shipbuilding.

   Although NNSY no longer builds ships, the need for boilermakers remains. According to Shop 41 Resource Manager Andrew “Radio” Friesen, a boilermaker must be a jack of all trades. Because of their expertise in fabricating heavy steel plates, a boilermaker can also perform the work of such trades as a sheetmetalist or ironworker—in fact, their ability to bend metal is unmatched.

   Boilers not only help move ships, but they also have a long life-span; some can last up to 50 years. Because of this, boilermakers must maintain and upgrade things such as boiler tubes, heating elements and ductwork. They also do things such as clean vats (large containers used to hold liquids), repair defective parts using welding equipment, and inspect fittings and check valves just to name a few ...]

What if I ALREADY work at the SHIPYARD and want to get PROMOTED?

   An employee is never locked in the order of progression of the grade levels shown below for this career path. An employee may move between jobs/series shown for this position in addition to other Wage Grade and or General Schedule jobs/series. The shipyard does offer some training and continuing education benefits but must be requested through an employee’s individual department.

   For example: A journeyman mechanic may move to trade Leader or trade Supervisor I or to Inspector and then to trade Supervisor I or Inspector Supervisor I; or a trade Leader may move to GS-1910-09 Quality Assurance Specialist and then to trade Supervisor I or GS-1910-11 Quality Assurance Specialist or GS-1601-11 Mechanical Project Zone Manager.

GENERAL SCHEDULE POSITIONS 

Experience gained in this career path may be qualifying for some General Schedule positions,including, but not limited to, positions in the following series:

• Engineering Technician GS-802
• Production Control GS-1152
• Physical Science Technician GS-1311
• General Facilities and Equipment GS-1601
• Training Instruction GS-1712
• Quality Assurance GS-1910

From the Bureau of Labor Statistics:

For more information about boilermaking apprenticeships or other training opportunities, contact local offices of the unions previously mentioned, local construction companies and boiler manufacturers, or the local office of your State employment service. You can also find information on the registered apprenticeships together with links to State apprenticeship programs on the U.S. Department of Labor's web site: http://www.doleta.gov/OA/eta_default.cfm. Apprenticeship information is also available from the U.S. Department of Labor's toll free helpline: (877) 872-5627.

For information on apprenticeships and the boilermaking occupation, contact:

·         International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers, and Helpers, 753 State Ave., Suite 570, Kansas City, KS 66101. Internet: http://www.boilermakers.org

For general information on apprenticeships and how to get them, see the Occupational Outlook Quarterly article “Apprenticeships: Career training, credentials—and a paycheck in your pocket,” online at http://www.bls.gov/opub/ooq/2002/summer/art01.pdf and in print at many libraries and career centers.

BOILERMAKER (3808)

NUCLEAR SHIPBUILDING INSPECTOR GENERAL FOREMAN/SUPERVISOR II,

WS-4701-18

SHIPS NUCLEAR FLUID MECHANICAL SYSTEMS INSPECTOR

FOREMAN/SUPERVISOR I, WS-4701-14

SHIPS SYSTEMS INSPECTOR FOREMAN/SUPERVISOR I, WS-4701-12

BOILERMAKER FOREMAN/SUPERVISOR I, WS-10

NUCLEAR MECHANICAL SYSTEMS INSPECTOR (SHIPS) LEADER, WL-4701-14

SHIPS STRUCTURAL REPAIR INSPECTOR LEADER, WL-3801-13

PRODUCTION SHOP PLANNER (BOILERMAKER), WD-06

NUCLEAR MECHANICAL SYSTEMS INSPECTOR (SHIPS), WG-4701-15

SHIPS STRUCTURAL REPAIR INSPECTOR, WG-3801-13

BOILERMAKER LEADER, WL-10

BOILERMAKER, WG-10

BOILERMAKING WORKER, WG-08

CAREER PATHS: Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic

Classification Series 5306 (knowing the series number can be useful when searching for a specific occupation in USAJOBS.com under the advanced search tab) Also available through the NNSY Apprenticeship Program see Apprenticeship Tab

What would I be DOING in this OCCUPATION?
 

In a shipyard,  a Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic will repair and modify a variety of equipment and systems that serve to regulate climatic conditions. This work requires knowledge of the principles of air conditioning, the ability to recognize and determine the best method for correcting malfunctions, and the skill to make repairs to a variety of air conditioning and cooling unit systems.

 

What QUALIFICATIONS do I need?

• Nuclear: current nuclear quals and experience or
• Non-nuclear: experience not requiring nuclear quals or
• Refueling: current refueling qualifications

What if I want to be an INSPECTOR?

Some positions will require nuclear experience

What if I ALREADY work at the SHIPYARD and want to get PROMOTED?

   An employee is never locked in the order of progression of the grade levels shown below for this career path. An employee may move between jobs/seres shown for this position in addition to other Wage Grade and or General Schedule jobs/series. The shipyard does offer some training and continuing education benefits but must be requested through an employees individual department.

   Example of advancement opportunities: a journeyman mechanic may move to trade Leader or trade Supervisor I or to Inspector and then to trade Supervisor I or Inspector Supervisor I; or a trade Leader may move to GS-1910-09 Quality Assurance Specialist and then to trade Supervisor I or GS-1910-11 Quality Assurance Specialist or GS-1601-11 Services Project Zone Manager or Piping Project Zone Manager.

Experience gained in this career path may be qualifying for some General Schedule positions, including, but not limited to, positions in the following series:

- Engineering Technician GS-802

- Production Control GS-1152

- Physical Science Technician GS-1311

- General Facilities and Equipment GS-1601

- Quality Assurance GS-1910

- Training Instruction GS-1712

For more information about opportunities for training, certification, and employment in this trade: contact local vocational and technical schools; local heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration contractors; a local of the unions or organizations; local joint union-management apprenticeship committee; or the nearest office of the State employment service or apprenticeship agency.

For information on career opportunities, training, and technician certification, contact: You can also find information on the registered apprenticeship system with links to State apprenticeship programs on the U.S. Department of Labor's web site: http://www.doleta.gov/OA/eta_default.cfm. Apprenticeship information is also available from the U.S. Department of Labor's toll free helpline: (877) 872-5627.

Certification and advancement: HVACR technicians who have at least 1 year of experience performing installations and 2 years of experience performing maintenance and repair can take a number of different tests to certify their competency in working with specific types of equipment, such as oil-burning furnaces.

   The Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute offers an Industry Competency Exam; HVAC Excellence offers both a Secondary Employment Ready Exam and a Secondary Heat and Heat Plus exams; and National Occupational Competency Testing Institute offers a secondary exam; and the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society offers two levels of certification, as well. Employers increasingly recommend taking and passing these tests and obtaining certification; doing so may increase advancement opportunities.

For those interested in the AIR CONDITIONING EQUIPMENT MECHANIC, or 5306 series the following positions is what one should look for in USAJOBS.com:  

• Nuclear Shipbuilding Inspector General
• Foreman/Supervisor II (WS-4701-18)
• Ships Nuclear Fluid Mechanical Inspector
• Foreman/Supervisor (WS-4701-12)
• Ships Systems Inspector Foreman/Supervisor I (WS-4701-12)
• Temporary Service Shops Foreman/Supervisor I (WS-4701-10)
• Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic Foreman/Supervisor I (WS-10)
• Nuclear Mechanical Systems Inspector (Ships) Leader (WL-4701-14)
• Ships Mechanical and Piping Systems Inspector Leader (WL-5301-13)
• Production Shop Planner [Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic] (WD-06)
• Nuclear Mechanical Systems Inspector (Ships) (WG-4701-15
• Ships Mechanical and Piping Systems Inspector (Ships) (WG-4701-15)
• Ships Mechanical and Piping Systems Inspector (WG-5301-13)
• Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic Leader (WL-10)
• Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic (WG-10)
• Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic (WG-08)

From the Bureau of Labor Statistics:

• Air-Conditioning Contractors of America, 2800 Shirlington Rd., Suite 300, Arlington, VA 22206-3607. Internet: http://www.acca.org
• Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute, 2111 Wilson Blvd., Suite 500, Arlington, VA 22201-3001. Internet: http://www.ahrinet.org
• Associated Builders and Contractors, Workforce Development Department, 4250 North Fairfax Dr., 9th Floor, Arlington, VA 22203-1607. Internet: http://www.trytools.org
• Carbon Monoxide Safety Association, P.O. Box 669, Eastlake, CO 80614-0669. Internet: http://www.cosafety.org
• Green Mechanical Council 1701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Suite 300, Washington, DC 20006-5813. Internet: http://www.greenmech.org
• Home Builders Institute, National Association of Home Builders, 1201 15th St. NW., 6th Floor, Washington, DC 20005-2842. Internet: http://www.hbi.org
• HVAC Excellence, P.O. Box 491, Mt. Prospect, IL 60056-0521. Internet: http://www.hvacexcellence.org
• Mechanical Contractors Association of America, Mechanical Service Contractors of America, 1385 Piccard Dr., Rockville, MD 20850-4329. Internet: http://www.mcaa.org
• National Center for Construction Education and Research, 3600 NW. 43rd St., Bldg. G, Gainesville, FL 32606-8134. Internet: http://www.nccer.org
• National Occupational Competency Testing Institute, 500 North Bronson Ave., Big Rapids, MI 49307-2737. Internet: http://www.nocti.org
• North American Technician Excellence, 2111 Wilson Blvd., Suite 510, Arlington, VA 22201-3051. Internet: http://www.natex.org
• Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors, 180 S. Washington St., P.O. Box 6808, Falls Church, VA 22046-6808. Internet: http://www.phccweb.org
• Radiant Panel Association, P.O. Box 717, Loveland, CO 80539-0717. Internet: http://www.radiantpanelassociation.org
• Refrigeration Service Engineers Society, 1666 Rand Rd., Des Plaines, IL 60016-3552. Internet: http://www.rses.org
• Sheet Metal and Air-Conditioning Contractors National Association, 4201 Lafayette Center Dr., Chantilly, VA 20151-1209. Internet: http://www.smacna.org
• United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry, United Association Bldg., 3 Park Place, Annapolis, MD 21401-3687. Internet: http://www.ua.org

 

 

5) The Assessment Questionnaire

After applying in USAJOBS, you may be wondering how your application package will be evaluated. 

Evaluation of an application in USAJOBS is based on the applicant’s answers to the assessment questionnaire, self-certifying one’s experience. 

The answers to the questions need to be supported by the information contained in the resume and any required documents.  Assessment questionnaires are located within Application Manager, the tool used to collect applications online and link your application package to USAJOBS.

The questionnaire collects information about your experience, education, knowledge, and skills in order to determine your basic qualifications for the position and to determine who should be referred to the hiring manager as best qualified. 

The assessment questions are job specific and change for each job announcement and position. 

It is to your advantage to take the time to thoroughly and accurately complete the questionnaires so that your application can be accurately evaluated. 

For more information about the Assessment Questionnaire, visit the Department of Navy’s website: http://www.public.navy.mil/donhr/Employment/HiringReform/Pages/ApplicantToolkit.aspx

4) Searching for Jobs using USAJOBS

  
USAJOBS offers you several ways to search for jobs.  For a quick and simple search, fill in the “What: Keyword Tips” and “Where: (U.S. city, state or zip code)” search boxes.
 
 For additional search options (e.g. department or agency, series, grade, job title) select “Advance Search” from either the link on screen or from the “Search Jobs” drop down menu in the upper left hand corner of the screen. 


You can also select “Browse Jobs” to see lists of announcements pre-sorted by agency, location or occupation.  The Search Results page provides a variety of options such as view announcement, save as a search agent, save the job for later, and refine search. 

Many search fields are followed by a blue question mark button which you can click for useful tips.


You can save up to 10 searches as “search agents” which use your search criteria around the clock to email you notifications when job opportunity announcements (JOA) are placed on USAJOBS.


Click on “My Account” from the tool bar and select “Saved Searches” from the drop down menu to modify or delete a saved search, or select “Saved Jobs” to view jobs you have saved for later.


Familiarize yourself with JOA formats in USAJOBS.  Each JOA has tabs at the top of the announcement (i.e., overview, duties, qualifications & evaluations, benefits & other information and how to apply) or click “Print Preview”.

3) PART II: Applying for a Job at NNSY using USAJOBS

In BLOG#2 you were shown how to create a USAJOBS account and resume. If you have done this, then you are ready to apply for jobs.


Click the “Search for Jobs” tab at the top left corner of the USAJOBS screen and you will see there is more than one way to find announcements in USAJOBS.


When you find a job you want to submit your resume to, open the announcement and read carefully to ensure that you know what information is needed to successfully apply. 


When you are ready to submit your resume, click on the “Apply for this Position Now!” button and USAJOBS will redirect you to Application Manager. 


{Application Manager is a separate system from USAJOBS.  It is used to collect online applications for specific positions.  The application package will consist of your resume, assessment questionnaire, and any other documents required to apply for the position.} 


You will have to create an account in Application Manager the first time you use Application Manager.  This account will require a User ID and Password just like USAJOBS.  We suggest that you use the same for both systems. 

Once your account is initially created and used, you will not be required to login to Application Manager each time you wish to submit your application but will be automatically redirected from USAJOBS to Application Manager.


Each position that you apply for in Application Manager will have an Assessment Questionnaire that has questions which are job specific to the position for which you are applying. 


After completing the questionnaire, you will need to upload any additional documents that are requested in the Job Announcement (i.e. SF-50, DD-214, School Transcript, etc.)  Once you have uploaded these documents, they will be available to reuse for other positions for which you apply. 


If you are unable to upload a document, you will also have the option of faxing it using a Fax Cover page that can be retrieved by clicking on the link that is provided.  This Fax Cover page contains specific information about the Job Announcement for which you are applying and must be used so your documents can be associated with your application.


Once all required questions have been completed, you will be able to click the “Submit My Answers” button to submit your application.  After clicking the “Submit My Answers” button, you will receive an online confirmation message.

2) PART I Applying for Jobs at NNSY using USAJOBS

The information provided may help get you started in using USAJOBS and Application Manager.

To get started, follow these steps:

1. Go to www.usajobs.gov


2.  Click “Sign in or Create an Account”


3.  Complete personal information


4.  Click “I agree. Create my Account”


At this point you have two options to get your resume into USAJOBS: you can build a resume or upload an existing resume.  


Upload a Resume. Uploaded resumes must be less than 3 MB and in one of the following document formats: .doc, .docx. .jpg, .pdf or .rtf. 

Take some time to review and update your information, when you are ready, follow the USAJOBS on-screen instructions for uploading a resume.


Note: Uploaded resumes are not “searchable,” which means recruiters will not be able to find your resume unless you submit it to a specific USAJOBS vacancy announcement.


USAJOBS Resume Builder. You can copy and paste the information from your resume into the corresponding fields in USAJOBS resume builder. Be sure to review and update your information as necessary.


USAJOBS does not limit your work experience examples however, the character limits for some fields in USAJOBS are limited so your resume may need to be edited to fit in USAJOBS.

 Note:  You can have up to five resumes saved to your USAJOBS account (two uploaded resumes and three USAJOBS Resume Builder resumes). When you apply to an announcement in USAJOBS, you pick which resume you want to submit. 

1) The Norfolk Naval Shipyard Transitions from CHART to USAJOBS

In compliance with President Obama’s memorandum for changes to the federal hiring process, the Department of the Navy (DON) recently transitioned from the Civilian Hiring and Recruitment Tool (CHART) and Resumix to USAJOBS and USA Staffing for managing online announcements and applications.
  
The primary goal is to make federal jobs more accessible by shortening the amount of time it takes to apply, as well as the length of time to hire new employees.  This transition will streamline and simplify the application process for job seekers as well as the hiring process for managers.
  
Norfolk Naval Shipyard made the transition from CHART and Resumix to USAJOBS and USA Staffing in July of 2011. A “Transition to USAJOBS” fact sheet and toolkit is available at http://www.public.navy.mil/donhr/Employment/hiringreform/Pages/ToolsAndInformation.aspx
  
This website shows the key improvements provided by the USAJOBS tool along with helpful guidance for employees to get started for the transition to USAJOBS.
  
Employees are also encouraged to visit http://www.usajobs.gov/ to create an account, building a resume and search for jobs.

Information provided by Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility