Power Plant Operator I & II

Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.

Position Title: Power Plant Operator I & II

Job Category: University Staff

Employment Type: Regular

Job Profile: Heat/Cool Plant Operator I

Job Duties:

Join our dynamic team as a Heating/Cooling Plant Operator and play a crucial role in maintaining our campus’s essential services. In this position, you'll monitor, operate, adjust, and maintain a variety of technical equipment to ensure efficient Heating and Cooling Plant operations. This role is integral to our 24/7 plant coverage, with responsibilities including rotational shifts as well as some weekend and holiday shifts on a six-day rotation.

We pride ourselves on fostering a dedicated, supportive, safe, and healthy work environment where collaboration and professional growth are encouraged.

This position offers a rotating schedule that ensures a healthy work-life balance while also providing opportunities for growth and development.

In accordance with UW System Administrative Policy 1277, candidates working nights and weekends are eligible for shift differential pay. This is an adjustment of .80 cents per hour for working between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. or working any weekend hours between 12:01 a.m. on Saturday and 12:00 midnight on Sunday.

Shift Rotation:

• Six-day rotation
• Will include covering one weekend shift every six weeks

Shift Breakdown:

• Night Shifts (11 PM - 7 AM): 3
• Afternoon Shifts (3 PM - 11 PM): 2
• Day Shifts (7 AM - 3 PM): 1

Your typical shift pattern will look like this:

• (3-3-2-2-2-2) 2-days off
• (3-3-2-2-2-2) 2-days off
• (3-3-3-2-2-2) 2-days off
• (3-3-3-2-2-2) 3-day weekend
• (3-3-2-2-2) 3 day weekend
• (3-3-2-2-1-1) 2-days off

This position requires successful completion of a pre-work physical to confirm the ability to perform the essential physical functions of the position.

Our extremely competitive benefits package currently includes:

• Low cost Health Plans
• Vacation starting at 104 hours per year (prorated for start date).
• 36 hours of personal holiday
• 5 hours of sick leave earned per biweekly pay period (130 hours per calendar year)
• Paid parental leave after six months of continuous employment
• Wisconsin Retirement System (pension) with 7.2% employer contribution for 2024

All employment benefits are subject to change. A full list of current benefits and eligibility requirements can be found here.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Adheres to safety protocols and procedures
• May work without direct supervision on shift operations
• Ensures safe and efficient operation of the plant and its associated equipment
• Assists with preventative and corrective maintenance as needed
• Makes regular inspections of plant equipment and prepares equipment malfunction reports
• Cleans and maintains work areas and equipment
• Starts, stops, and adjusts equipment settings to maintain operational requirements
• Maintains forms, logs, or reports
• Analyzes data and communicates recommendations on equipment and systems operations, both verbally and in written reports

Department: Power Plant

Compensation: $25.00 - $28.00/hour

Recruitment Bonus of $1,000 will be awarded after successful completion of 6-month probation period!
Retention Bonus of $1,000 will be awarded after successful completion of 1-year employment anniversary!

Required Qualifications:

Required for Heating Plant Operator I:

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Experience adapting to different working conditions such as extreme noise, heat, cold, dusty, dirty or wet areas, and confined spaces
• Physical ability to walk, stand, sit, lift and climb ladders
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds, with or without accommodations
• 2 years experience in a mechanical background. Experience in the operation of various power tools, hand tools, and testing equipment in the mechanical maintenance field
• 1 year of experience working in a team environment

Required for Heating Plant Operator II:

• All Operator I requirements plus:
• 1 year experience in the maintenance and safe operations of natural gas and fuel oil boilers.
• 2 years of experience in the maintenance, repair and operation of Central Heating and Power Plant equipment, including a high degree of mechanical aptitude, such as skill in making repairs and adjustments on all Power Plant equipment.
• 2 years of experience in the operation of computer and single loop controller systems, and their related equipment, steam flow meters, feedwater and condensate pumps, water meters, pressure and temperature gages, forced draft fans, RO systems, and the testing of boiler water and water softeners. The operation and use of safety devices, as well as the ability to learn and apply methods and techniques for the correct and safe performance of fairly complex equipment and operating systems
• 1 year experience with the procedures of Lockout-Tagout

Preferred Qualifications:

• Hold a license from one of the following: ASOPE(AMERICAN SOCIETY of POWER ENGINEERS) Power Plant Operating Engineer 3rd. Class or NIUPE (National Institute for the Uniform Licensing of Power Engineers) PPOE 3rd. Class or FOE (Facilities Operating Engineer)

How to Apply:

Submit a Resume

*Please use your application materials to speak to each of the qualifications for this position as listed above. Be sure to describe your relevant experience and areas of expertise, using specific examples from your work and education history. Applicants must complete all required fields and attach all required documents prior to submitting the online application.

All final candidates will be asked to provide names, email contact information, and/or phone numbers for three (3) references, with at least one being from a manager or supervisor, during the interview process.

Note: Once you have attached your materials and submitted your application, you will not be able to go into the system and change them.

To Ensure Consideration: Applications received by the end of the day on 05/19/2026 are ensured full consideration. Applications received after that date may be given consideration. Application materials will be evaluated, and the most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process. Incomplete and/or late application materials may not receive consideration.