What are the responsibilities and job description for the Utility Plant Operator I position at CSU Spur?
Posting Details
Posting Detail Information
Working Title Utility Plant Operator I Position Location Fort Collins, CO 80523 Work Location Position is fully in-office/in-person Type of Position Full-time Classification Title Utility Plant Oper I Posting Number 202400179P Position Type State Classified Open Date Close Date 03/24/2025 Salary $4,809 -$5,290 Monthly Employee Benefits
Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.
The Utility Services work unit exists to provide, manage, operate, and maintain utility service for the University. Utilities managed by this work unit include: electric, domestic water, sanitary sewer, storm water, natural gas, steam, chilled water, and distributed heating and cooling generation. Unit activities also include master planning for utilities, design review, utility construction inspection, customer allocation, forecasting, billing, support through relevant expertise of other Facilities Management work units, and liaison with utility providers.
Position Summary
The purpose of this position is to operate and maintain the main campus district cooling and heating plants, conduct repairs and replacements as needed, and coordinate with the Utility Plant Supervisor and Lead Operator for any system modification and controlled maintenance needs.
Minimum Qualifications
To be considered for this position, candidates must demonstrate in the application materials:
Experience Only
Four (4) years of utility plant operations experience related to the work assigned. (Maintain the main cooling and heating plants, conduct repairs and replacements as needed)
OR
Education And Experience
A combination of related education, formalized apprenticeship program, and/or relevant experience in utility plant operations experience related to the work assigned equal to four (4) years. (maintain cooling and heating plants, conduct repairs and replacements as needed)
Substitutions Preferred Qualifications
The highly desired candidate will possess the following knowledge, skills, abilities, personal characteristics, and experience directly related and critical to this position:
Job Duty Category Boiler Operation and Maintenance Program Duty/Responsibility
Responsible for safe and efficient operation, maintenance and repair of the district heating utilities and the distributive steam and hot water boilers. Equipment responsibilities include but not limited to – boilers, water softeners, DA feed tanks, pumps, pressure reducing valve’s, boiler primary fire control systems, forced and induced draft blowers, air compressors, diesel and steam driven generators, valves and piping systems, electrical switchgear, controllers, transmitter, positioners and flow devices.
Identifying, planning and scheduling – major repairs, breakdown, planned and corrective maintenance; calibrating; supervision of contractors in the installation of new equipment; Assist with material selection and procurement, coordination of projects, project inspections and design review.
Operations – monitor and adjust temperatures, pressures, levels, flows, firing conditions; collecting and analyzing data; maintaining records and log; fuel handling and off-loading; analytical chemical testing and adjustments
Percentage Of Time 70% Job Duty Category Chiller Operation and Maintenance Program Duty/Responsibility
Responsible for safe and efficient operation, maintenance and repair of the district cooling utilities and the distributive comfort cooling chillers. Equipment responsibilities include but not limited to – chillers, cooling towers, pumps, pressure reducing valve’s, air compressors, valves and piping systems, electrical switchgear, controllers, transmitters, positioners and flow devices. Identifying, planning and scheduling – major repairs, breakdown, planned and corrective maintenance; calibrating; supervision of contractors in the installation of new equipment; Assist with material selection and procurement, coordination of projects, project inspections and design review.
Operations – monitor and adjust temperatures, pressures, levels, flows, loading conditions; collecting and analyzing data; maintaining records and logs; analytical chemical testing and adjustments.
Percentage Of Time 20% Job Duty Category Chemical Treatment Program Duty/Responsibility
Responsible for proper operation and maintenance of campus wide water treatment program for steam and hot water boilers; cooling towers; closed loop systems; condensate returns systems. Responsibilities include analysis and treatment of all systems; breakdown, planned and corrective maintenance on chemical feed systems; assist with material procurement and analysis of treatment program. Training of new personnel in this area.
Percentage Of Time 5% Job Duty Category Other Duties as Assigned Duty/Responsibility
Support the Utility Plant Supervisor, the Lead Operator, and the Utility Services Manager as needed with short-term projects and assignments
Percentage Of Time 5%
Application Details
Special Instructions to Applicants
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION
Human Resources – Talent Acquisition Team, at hr_ta@colostate.edu or call (970) 491- MyHR(6947).
Please check the Help link online at https://jobs.colostate.edu/help/ for assistance on your application or for answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
All other inquiries should be directed to the Colorado State University Human Resources Office at HR_Service_Center@colostate.edu or (970) 491- MyHR(6947).
Conditions of Employment Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires), Valid Driver’s License - Regular , Essential Services Designation, Shift Work - Plant operations is a 24 hour 365 days I year function, On-call Status - Fill in on shift and plant emergencies EEO
Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
Background Check Policy Statement
Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.
Employment and Appeal Rights
If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for the position, you may protest the action by filing an appeal with the State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director within 10 days from the date you receive notice of the elimination. Also, if you wish to challenge the selection and comparative analysis process, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director within 10 days from the receipt of notice or knowledge of the action you are challenging.
Refer to Chapters 4 and 8 of the State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director’s Administrative Procedures, 4 CCR 801, for more information about the appeals process. The State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director’s Administrative Procedures are available at www.colorado.gov/spb.
A standard appeal form is available at: www.colorado.gov/spb. If you appeal, your appeal must be submitted in writing on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative, and received at the following address within 10 days of your receipt of notice or knowledge of the action: Colorado State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director, Attn: Appeals Processing, 1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver, CO 80203. Fax: 303-866-5038. Phone: 303-866-3300. The ten-day deadline and these appeal procedures also apply to all charges of discrimination.
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Required Documents
Posting Detail Information
Working Title Utility Plant Operator I Position Location Fort Collins, CO 80523 Work Location Position is fully in-office/in-person Type of Position Full-time Classification Title Utility Plant Oper I Posting Number 202400179P Position Type State Classified Open Date Close Date 03/24/2025 Salary $4,809 -$5,290 Monthly Employee Benefits
Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.
- Review our detailed benefits information here.
- Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.
- For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator.
- Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in!
The Utility Services work unit exists to provide, manage, operate, and maintain utility service for the University. Utilities managed by this work unit include: electric, domestic water, sanitary sewer, storm water, natural gas, steam, chilled water, and distributed heating and cooling generation. Unit activities also include master planning for utilities, design review, utility construction inspection, customer allocation, forecasting, billing, support through relevant expertise of other Facilities Management work units, and liaison with utility providers.
Position Summary
The purpose of this position is to operate and maintain the main campus district cooling and heating plants, conduct repairs and replacements as needed, and coordinate with the Utility Plant Supervisor and Lead Operator for any system modification and controlled maintenance needs.
Minimum Qualifications
To be considered for this position, candidates must demonstrate in the application materials:
Experience Only
Four (4) years of utility plant operations experience related to the work assigned. (Maintain the main cooling and heating plants, conduct repairs and replacements as needed)
OR
Education And Experience
A combination of related education, formalized apprenticeship program, and/or relevant experience in utility plant operations experience related to the work assigned equal to four (4) years. (maintain cooling and heating plants, conduct repairs and replacements as needed)
- If applying per meeting the education and experience minimum qualifications, an unofficial transcript must be attached at the time of application.
Substitutions Preferred Qualifications
The highly desired candidate will possess the following knowledge, skills, abilities, personal characteristics, and experience directly related and critical to this position:
- Directly related state service experience
- Experience maintaining and repairing steam boilers
- Experience maintaining and repairing centrifugal chillers
- Ability to observe, define problem areas, identify causes, test, and repair and or replace faulty boiler and chiller components
- Ability to maintain a boiler and chill water treatment program
Job Duty Category Boiler Operation and Maintenance Program Duty/Responsibility
Responsible for safe and efficient operation, maintenance and repair of the district heating utilities and the distributive steam and hot water boilers. Equipment responsibilities include but not limited to – boilers, water softeners, DA feed tanks, pumps, pressure reducing valve’s, boiler primary fire control systems, forced and induced draft blowers, air compressors, diesel and steam driven generators, valves and piping systems, electrical switchgear, controllers, transmitter, positioners and flow devices.
Identifying, planning and scheduling – major repairs, breakdown, planned and corrective maintenance; calibrating; supervision of contractors in the installation of new equipment; Assist with material selection and procurement, coordination of projects, project inspections and design review.
Operations – monitor and adjust temperatures, pressures, levels, flows, firing conditions; collecting and analyzing data; maintaining records and log; fuel handling and off-loading; analytical chemical testing and adjustments
Percentage Of Time 70% Job Duty Category Chiller Operation and Maintenance Program Duty/Responsibility
Responsible for safe and efficient operation, maintenance and repair of the district cooling utilities and the distributive comfort cooling chillers. Equipment responsibilities include but not limited to – chillers, cooling towers, pumps, pressure reducing valve’s, air compressors, valves and piping systems, electrical switchgear, controllers, transmitters, positioners and flow devices. Identifying, planning and scheduling – major repairs, breakdown, planned and corrective maintenance; calibrating; supervision of contractors in the installation of new equipment; Assist with material selection and procurement, coordination of projects, project inspections and design review.
Operations – monitor and adjust temperatures, pressures, levels, flows, loading conditions; collecting and analyzing data; maintaining records and logs; analytical chemical testing and adjustments.
Percentage Of Time 20% Job Duty Category Chemical Treatment Program Duty/Responsibility
Responsible for proper operation and maintenance of campus wide water treatment program for steam and hot water boilers; cooling towers; closed loop systems; condensate returns systems. Responsibilities include analysis and treatment of all systems; breakdown, planned and corrective maintenance on chemical feed systems; assist with material procurement and analysis of treatment program. Training of new personnel in this area.
Percentage Of Time 5% Job Duty Category Other Duties as Assigned Duty/Responsibility
Support the Utility Plant Supervisor, the Lead Operator, and the Utility Services Manager as needed with short-term projects and assignments
Percentage Of Time 5%
Application Details
Special Instructions to Applicants
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION
- Clearly document job duties you have performed that relate to minimum qualifications, preferred qualifications, and essential job duties in the Work Experience section on the application. Human Resources must be able to evaluate your experience based on this information.
- Clearly outline dates of employment and hours worked per week for each employment experience listed in the Work Experience section of the Application so that Human Resources can calculate full-time work experience. Please note: Part-time experience will be calculated to determine the full-time equivalent.
- The Work Experience is the only document that will be utilized to determine if minimum qualifications, as outlined in the job posting, have been met. The Application is considered to be the legal document on file; resumes will not be reviewed for minimum qualification requirements.
- Applicants may redact information from this initial application that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.
- If an Application is considered “Incomplete”, the Application will be removed from consideration for the position.
- An Application is incomplete if no current/ previous employment is included in the Work Experience section of the Application.
- An Application is incomplete if “see resume” (or something similar) is noted, or previous employment does not contain job duties for every position in the Work Experience section of the Application.
- Positions requiring a degree or if using education as a substitution for work experience (e.g.: Associate or Bachelor’s) transcripts are required in order to verify receipt of the required degree or coursework. If official or unofficial transcripts are not supplied at the time of application, the Application is incomplete.
- When a resume is listed as a required document, it may be used in the comparative analysis/ evaluation process to determine the candidates that most closely meet the qualifications of the position. This process occurs after an application has passed the minimum qualifications screening.
- Resumes will not be accepted in place of a completed application; however, some positions may still require a resume as a component for complete application materials.
- Please see the Required Documents section of the posting.
- Appointment to the vacancy or vacancies represented by this announcement is expected to be from the eligible list created. However, at the discretion of the appointing authority, the position(s) may be filled by another method of appointment for a valid articulated business reason.
- The selection process for State Classified positions may include an exam(s) and interview(s) which require candidates to physically appear (at the CSU campus in Fort Collins, CO) at the candidates’ own expense.
- Pertinent updates to your Application status can be obtained by logging into your application account at https://jobs.colostate.edu
- All status updates for this position will be sent via email from human.resources@colostate.edu, hr_ta@colostate.edu, OR the TA Team Member facilitating the search process. In addition to your Inbox, remember to check the Deleted and Junk folders for these important communications.
- Per the requirements of the Step Pay Program implemented on July 1, 2024, any State employee must be paid a rate that is equal to or greater than the appropriate step pay rate within their classification’s pay range based on completed years in their current class series as of June 30. All current and former State employees must ensure that your entire work history within the State Classified System, including at Institutions of Higher Education, is indicated in your application so that your time-in-series can be calculated accurately.
Human Resources – Talent Acquisition Team, at hr_ta@colostate.edu or call (970) 491- MyHR(6947).
Please check the Help link online at https://jobs.colostate.edu/help/ for assistance on your application or for answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
All other inquiries should be directed to the Colorado State University Human Resources Office at HR_Service_Center@colostate.edu or (970) 491- MyHR(6947).
Conditions of Employment Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires), Valid Driver’s License - Regular , Essential Services Designation, Shift Work - Plant operations is a 24 hour 365 days I year function, On-call Status - Fill in on shift and plant emergencies EEO
Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
Background Check Policy Statement
Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.
Employment and Appeal Rights
If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for the position, you may protest the action by filing an appeal with the State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director within 10 days from the date you receive notice of the elimination. Also, if you wish to challenge the selection and comparative analysis process, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director within 10 days from the receipt of notice or knowledge of the action you are challenging.
Refer to Chapters 4 and 8 of the State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director’s Administrative Procedures, 4 CCR 801, for more information about the appeals process. The State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director’s Administrative Procedures are available at www.colorado.gov/spb.
A standard appeal form is available at: www.colorado.gov/spb. If you appeal, your appeal must be submitted in writing on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative, and received at the following address within 10 days of your receipt of notice or knowledge of the action: Colorado State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director, Attn: Appeals Processing, 1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver, CO 80203. Fax: 303-866-5038. Phone: 303-866-3300. The ten-day deadline and these appeal procedures also apply to all charges of discrimination.
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
- * Are you willing and able to submit to a pre-employment background check that may include, but is not limited to, criminal history, national sex offender search and motor vehicle history as a condition of hire?
- Yes
- No
- * This position requires applicants to possess and maintain a current and valid driver's license. Do you possess a current and valid driver's license?
- Yes
- No
- * Are you willing and able to report to work during inclement weather, without delay or interruption, to provide essential or emergency services to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the campus community?
- Yes
- No
- * Are you willing and able to maintain availability for on-call status and shift work as needed?
- Yes
- No
Required Documents
- Resume
- Cover Letter
- Unofficial Transcripts
Salary : $4,809 - $5,290
