"Boiler Operator WTP Technician or Trainee"

Job Summary

The Facilities and Campus Services department is committed to providing the highest quality service to faculty, students, staff, alumni and visitors. With more than 260 major buildings on the Ithaca campus, approximately 1,000 highly talented and dedicated staff serve as stewards of campus resources and operations.

The Energy and Sustainability Utilities department operates the University energy infrastructure system on a continuous, 24 hour per day basis. Production facilities include a combined heat and power facility which provides steam and electricity to heat and power campus; a potable water filtration plant which provides all water for campus; a hydroelectric plant; two chilled water plants to provide campus cooling; and a university owned electric substation connected to the local utility. The Utilities department manages and maintains all distribution systems on campus, including steam, chilled water, electricity, potable water and waste water, and administers energy management programs for campus buildings.

The Operations group within Utilities Production oversees the production of steam, chilled water, and electricity by operating the Central Energy Plant, Lake Source Cooling, Chilled Water Plant 3, and the Hydroelectric Plant.

Boiler Operator WTP Technician - Trainee:

Assist the Senior Plant Operators in the operation of all Central Energy Plant facilities and infrastructure associated with the production of steam, chilled water, and electricity for the Cornell campus. Work closely with Boiler Operators and Senior Plant Operators to learn to operate all boilers, heat recovery steam generators (HRSG’s), and associated auxiliary equipment to continually keep the boilers/HRSG’s operating in a safe, reliable, and efficient manner. Work with the Boiler Operator and Senior Plant Operator to start and shut down boilers/HRSG’s as needed, maintain fuel feed to boilers/HRSG’s, operate the chilled water system, test and maintain water chemistry, dose chemicals, regularly check auxiliaries, etc.

Employees hired into the trainee position are expected to obtain the skills and knowledge necessary to move to the next level, Boiler Operator WTP Technician, Grade 5, through completion of the Boiler Operator Level 1 training program. Promotion from Grade 3 to Grade 5 occurs once the Boiler Operator Trainee is fully trained and competent to stand shift on their own.

Boiler Operator WTP Technician:

Assist the Senior Plant Operators in the operation of all Central Energy Plant facilities and infrastructure associated with the production and distribution of steam, chilled water, and electricity for the Cornell campus. Independently operate all boilers, heat recovery steam generators (HRSG’s), turbines, emergency generators, and associated auxiliary equipment to continually keep the boilers/HRSG’s operating in a safe, reliable, and efficient manner. Work with the Sr. Plant Operator to start and shut down the boilers/HRSG’s as needed, maintain fuel feeds to boilers/HRSG’s, operate the chilled water system, test and maintain water chemistry, dose chemicals, regularly check auxiliaries, etc.

Fill out daily log sheets, assist with locking out equipment, review standard operating procedures and drawings, help train operators at lower grades, and maintain plant cleanliness. Grade 5 Boiler Operators are expected to work toward completion of the Central Energy Plant’s Senior Boiler Operator qualification program (level 2 qualifications) and maintain established proficiency in accordance with standards set by the Operations Manager.

Provide coverage for other shifts, as required, to ensure proper staffing at all times.

Boiler Operator WTP Technician Relief:

Perform all duties of the Boiler Operator WTP Technician when working on shift. Cover the scheduled and unscheduled absences of Boiler Operators assigned to shifts, as required. When not assigned to shift coverage, Boiler Operator Reliefs are to assist the Boiler Operators in their duties, as necessary. Reliefs are expected to write and implement equipment or system lock outs, review standard operating procedures, assist with water treatment duties, accept fuel, chemical, and equipment deliveries, and maintain plant cleanliness.

The Boiler Operator Relief is to assist with maintenance in the plant when not performing operations duties. Maintenance duties include basic repairs to equipment, adjustments, lubrication, routine PM’s, and cleaning. Boiler Operator Reliefs are expected to do all maintenance work expected of a Grade 5 mechanic as well as assisting Sr. Mechanics in more complex tasks such as rigging, equipment rebuilds, and equipment renewal and installation.

This position is Endowed and is covered by the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) bargaining unit.

A Boiler Operator WTP Technician - Trainee would be hired as a Grade 3 (0-1 year) position with an hourly rate of pay of $29.33.

A Boiler Operator WTP Technician would be hired as a Grade 5 (0-1 year) position with an hourly rate of pay of $34.29.

Required Qualifications:

• Experience modeling values that support inclusion, belonging, and wellbeing.
• Ability to advocate for individuals from a broad range of backgrounds.
• Experience working directly with people from various socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.
• Demonstrated ability to give and receive feedback, communicate honestly, listen, respect others, learn from mistakes, set high goals and achieve them, overcome obstacles, use time effectively, set priorities, and participate effectively on teams.
• Highly motivated and exhibits innovation, good judgment, and reliability in the workplace.
• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Valid US driver’s license.
• Three years previous experience operating relevant equipment and systems, including but not limited to: boilers, fuel feed systems, chillers, rotating equipment, water chemistry, chilled water, steam systems, hot water systems, or trades work.
• Demonstrated proficiency and knowledge of the skills necessary to perform minor maintenance activities. This includes use of such things as hand tools, wrenches, measurement devices, etc.
• Demonstrated proficiency with basic computer skills such as typing, email, and database entry.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Additional education: e.g., Associates Degree in technical field or equivalent experience preferred.
• Previous experience as an operator in an industrial setting.
• Previous experience in maintenance of relevant equipment, such as boilers, pumps, air compressors, chillers, etc.
• Demonstrated experience in troubleshooting and problem solving.
• Previous experience performing shift work.

No visa sponsorship provided.

Rewards & Benefits:

Cornell provides great benefits that include educational benefits, access to a plethora of wellness programs, employee discounts with local and national retail brands, health care options to choose from, generous paid leave provisions: 3 weeks of vacation leave, health and personal leave, 13 holidays (including end of year winter break through New Year’s Day) and superior retirement contributions. Click here for more information.

Application Procedure:

Interested parties should submit a resume and cover letter describing qualifications on-line at https://hr.cornell.edu/jobs under staff positions section.

When applying through our system, please remember to attach resume and cover letter in either Microsoft Word or PDF format. In the Experience section of your application, use the “Drop Files Here” box to manually drag document(s) into your application. For a more detailed description and instructions on how to apply online please click here.