What are the responsibilities and job description for the Plant Operator position at InsideHigherEd?

Requisition Number : S2934

Position Number : 003866

Position Classification Title :

Utilities Plant Operator

Functional Title : Plant Operator

Position Type :

Administration - Staff

University Information :

Located in North Carolina’s third largest city, UNC Greensboro is among the most diverse, learner-centered public research universities in the state, with 18,000 students in eight colleges and schools pursuing more than 150 areas of undergraduate and over 200 areas of graduate study. UNCG continues to be recognized nationally for academic excellence, access, and affordability. UNCG is ranked No. 1 most affordable institution in North Carolina for net cost by the N.Y. Times and No. 1 in North Carolina for social mobility by The Wall Street Journal — helping first-generation and lower-income students find paths to prosperity. Designated an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, UNCG is a community-engaged research institution with a portfolio of more than $67M in research and creative activity. The University’s 2,600 staff help create an annual economic impact for the Piedmont Triad region in excess of $1B.

Primary Purpose of the Organizational Unit :

Facilities Operations has the responsibility of providing a wide range of services to all administrative departments, student programs, and all academic schools and departments. Services include all aspects of corrective and preventive maintenance, operations, grounds maintenance, housekeeping, utility infrastructure maintenance and operations, business operations, safety, regulatory compliance, project management, and renovations. These duties are conducted for a campus consisting of over 100 buildings totaling 6 million gross square feet on over 275 acres.

The primary purpose of the Steam Plant is to operate all boilers in a manner that will provide steam to the University community for food preparation, comfort heating, domestic hot water and humidification in required quantities at the proper time, in a safe, economical and efficient manner. This unit is also responsible for the operation and maintenance of satellite hydronic boilers in various campus buildings and the operation of the future West Chiller Plant.

Position Summary :

Primary duties of the position include :

Observe, monitor, and operate one (1) 40,000 pound per hour and three (3) 50,000 pound per hour boilers and all related boiler plant machinery;
Operate the Computerized Boiler Control System;
Perform both corrective and preventive maintenance as required, to ensure a smooth and constant flow of steam to the campus around the clock; and
Other duties as determined by supervisor.

This is a mandatory position as defined in the Adverse Weather and Emergency Event policy.

Minimum Qualifications :

HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OR EQUIVALENCY AND ONE YEAR OF RELATED EXPERIENCE; OR EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE. REQUIRES CERTIFICATION.

Additional Required Certifications, Licensures, and Certificates :

Valid Driver’s License

Preferred Qualifications :

NIULPE 2nd Class License or equal class or grade operator. Will consider alternate license.

Alternate Option :

If no applicants apply who meet the required competency level and training & experience requirements, then management may consider other applicants. Salary would be determined based on competencies, equity, budget, and market considerations.

Special Instructions to Applicants :

Applicants are required to upload a list of at least three (3) professional references that includes :

Name,

Company Name,

Type of reference (Professional, Supervisor, Colleague, Academic, or Personal). One (1) of those references will need to be a current or previous supervisor.

Email Address

Contact Phone Number

Recruitment Range : 46,732 - $47,901

Org #-Department :

Utility Operations - 56406

Work Hours of Position :

10 : 45 PM - 7 : 00 AM, 3rd Shift

Number of Months per Year :

Job Family :

Operations and Skilled Trades

Career Banded Title :

Utilities Plant Operator

Open Date : 01 / 31 / 2025

Close Date : 02 / 28 / 2025

FTE : 1.000

FLSA : Non-Exempt

Key Responsibility :

Operate Central Heating System Plant and Auxiliary Equipment

Essential Tasks :

Operate and control boilers using HMI System loop commanders.

Operate and control boilers using HMI Computer Interface Unit.

Perform all necessary plant configuration changes to safely and efficiently supply the campus with steam.

Blow down magnetrol low-level cutout switch.

Blow down reliance on boiler safety devices.

Blow down the visual water level indicator.

Blow down the boiler mud drum.

Monitor continuous blowdown system.

Perform the required valve line-up to burn heating oil within the time allowance when curtailed from natural gas.

Receive daily fuel oil deliveries.

Add the required fuel oil additive to each load.

Remove and clean oil guns.

Clean up any oil spills or leakage that occur.

Perform operating equipment flushes.

Key Responsibility :

Record log readings at four (4) hour intervals and conduct a visual inspection of operating equipment hourly. Conduct an inspection of operating and standby equipment each shift.

Essential Tasks :

Tour the plant and inspect all equipment at the beginning of the shift.

Attend turnover briefing.

Review narrative and equipment logs.

Discuss any abnormal conditions or evolutions in progress.

Conduct hourly tours of the plant and monitor parameters at the operator interface unit.

Take and record pressure and temperature readings on designated equipment in four-hour intervals.

Listen for unusual noises, watch for adverse conditions, and keep a keen sense of smell for hot conditions or possible electrical wires burning.

Key Responsibility :

Preventative and Corrective Maintenance

Essential Tasks :

Perform all scheduled preventive maintenance in the Steam Plant and at satellite boilers.

Conduct valve, steam trap, and steam strainer maintenance as scheduled.

Perform all corrective maintenance actions required on the shift to ensure continued plant and satellite boiler operation.

Perform routine housing keeping of the building and equipment.

Inspect all satellite boilers twice a week minimum.

Key Responsibility :

Chemical Testing and Water Treatment

Essential Tasks :

Test boiler water and treat it with proper chemicals to maintain readings within prescribed limits to prevent scale and corrosion.

Test condensate for pH and hardness. Treat the system to maintain 8.0 pH. Hardness to be monitored to determine freshwater contamination of heat exchangers.

Key Responsibility :

Prepare Boilers and Pressure Vessels for Inspection by Insurance Company

Essential Tasks :

Ability to safely enter and exit confined spaces ( 12-inch by 14-inch opening )

Open each boiler on a scheduled annual basis for inspection.

Mechanically clean each boiler tube with a motorized wire brush or high-pressure water to remove loose deposits, light scale, or other solids.

Clean the firebox, air registers, diffusers, and tubes of any accumulated soot or other deposits.

Hydrostatic test boiler for tightness to ensure proper sealing.

Test safety valves under pressure to ensure proper lifting and re-setting.

Prepare satellite boilers for inspection every two years.

Competency :

Knowledge - Technical

Competency Description :

Ability to perform non-routine tasks and assignments through the application of a variety of processes and procedures involving operations and maintenance / repair of utility plant equipment and / or less complex systems.

Considerable knowledge of the operation, maintenance, methods, procedures, and techniques of applicable plant equipment and safety requirements specific to the area of assignment.

Ability to perform non-routine and / or nonrecurring tasks to monitor, record, sample, and test equipment related to utility plant operations.

Ability to perform analysis of equipment and systems, and identify areas of concern.

Competency Level : Journey

Competency :

Equipment Operation

Competency Description :

Ability to independently perform more complex preventative maintenance and troubleshooting of applicable machines, equipment, and tools (e.g. turn equipment on and off); ability to make adjustments as needed.

Ability to monitor the operation of equipment through various software and automated systems; ability to determine when and what kind of maintenance is needed; ability to make necessary adjustments using appropriate systems.

Competency Level : Journey

Competency :

Safety and Health Compliance

Competency Description :

Ability to ensure operational and safety procedures are followed and compliance with regulatory agencies / standards.

Ability to respond to safety concerns and / or hazardous situations guiding processes and procedures; ability to ensure post-emergency procedures are implemented.

Competency Level : Journey

Competency :

Problem Solving

Competency Description :

Ability to identify (and may require ability to resolve or make recommendations for) nonstandard / more complex problems with equipment, and systems through inspection and maintenance.

Ability to perform routine troubleshooting using operating systems, software, and localized instrumentation and make adjustments / corrections as needed.

Competency Level : Journey

Competency :

Communication

Competency Description :

Ability to understand and respond to standard questions.

Ability to identify non-standard questions and determine the appropriate resource to consult / respond to.

Competency Level : Journey

Physical Effort :

Hand Movement-Repetitive Motions - F, Hand Movement-Grasping - F, Holding - F, Finger Dexterity - F, Vision-Skilled Trades - C, Reading - O, Writing - O, Eye-hand coordination - F, Vision-Color Distinction - O, Vision-Preparing / Analyzing figures - O, Vision-Visual inspection - C, Vision-Measuring / Assembling at distance close to eye - O, Hearing - C, Talking - F, Standing - F, Sitting - O, Walking - F, Lifting-0-30 lbs. - F, Lifting-30-60 lbs. - O, Lifting-60-90 lbs. - O, Lifting-90 plus lbs. - R, Pushing / Pulling - F, Climbing-Stairs - C, Climbing-Ladders - F, Bending - F, Squatting - F, Crawling - R, Reaching - F

Work Environment :

Driving - Car / Truck - O, Driving - Standar / Automatic - O, Driving - Mower / Forklift - O, Equipment / Machines - Heights - F, Equipment / Machines - Ladders - F, Equipment / Machines - Step Stools - F, Night / Dark - C, Extreme noise levels - C, Extreme temperatures - C, Inside - C, Outside - O, Ventilation ConditionsDust - F, Ventilation ConditionsFumes - F, Ventilation ConditionsChemicals - O, Ventilation ConditionsGases - O, Exposure to potential Hazardous Conditions - F, Chemical Spills - O, Gas Leaks - O, Acidic Harsh or Oily Substances - O, Use of Respirator - O, Electrical Hazards - O, Overtime - O

Salary : $46,732 - $47,901

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