Plant Operator I

Employer: Texas State University

Location: San Marcos, TX

Salary: $3,901.08 - $4,033.33 monthly

Date Posted: Sep 8, 2025

Position Type: Administrative, Business & Administrative Affairs, Facilities

Employment Level: Mid-Level

Employment Type: Full Time

Required Qualifications:

• Knowledge of electro-mechanical systems in thermal plants, including operation, diagnosis, and repair.
• Familiarity with safety procedures in utility plants, including LOTO, fire evacuation, and OSHA standards.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Excel, Visio, SAP, AIM, for documentation and plant management.
• Basic understanding of chemistry, chemical stations, PPE, and testing for water quality in thermal plants.
• Experience using test equipment and tools for troubleshooting and calibrating machinery.
• Ability to obtain certification for operating forklifts, genie booms, and scissor lifts through university training.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of manual and automated operation/maintenance of chillers, pumps, cooling towers, and related equipment.
• Knowledge of manual and automated operation/maintenance of steam boilers, heat exchangers, feed water pumps, deaerators, PRV stations, and related equipment.
• Familiar with chillers, boilers, and heaters, and ability to manage chemical stations.
• Knowledge of manual and automated operation/maintenance of HVAC systems, VFDs, RO filters, water softeners, and water basin controllers.
• Experience in the operation of thermal plants with the proper operating sequences.

Job Description:

The Plant Operator I is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the absorption and centrifugal chillers and boilers.

Job Duties:

• Input operating data in the equipment daily logs.
• Fire, turn off by manual or by computer, and blow down Steam Boilers.
• Turn on and turn off chillers, motor-pump groups, and cooling towers with automated variable speed drives using computer controllers or by hand.
• Operate and diagnose the status of instrument air compressors, chemical stations, and the water softeners’ electronic panel boards for regeneration and other related equipment.
• Operate the thermal plants with the proper operating sequences.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional Information to Applicants:

Plant Operations operates continuously, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including Sundays to Saturdays. Working hours are variable. Candidates for this position must be prepared to work any of the three shifts. Regular rotation of shifts may occur based on operational requirements. Shift schedules may occasionally change to accommodate the needs of Plant Operations. Applicants must be available to work during holidays and be willing to work additional hours if necessary.

Job Open Date: 09/08/2025

Open Until Filled: Yes

Normal Work Days: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

Normal Work Hours Start: 8:00AM

Normal Work Hours End: 5:00PM

Posting Notices: Applicant must have a valid Texas Driver's License and be a driver in good standing with less than ten (10) points deducted for driving infractions as determined by the employer driving standards system.