Steam Plant Operator (Journey)

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

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

Re-Post, Previous Applicants Need Not Re-Apply, Still Under Consideration
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.
• Other duties as determined by the supervisor.
• The Department offers training for this position. We’re seeking applicants who have a safety-first mindset with basic mechanical and electrical knowledge in which they can build upon their current skill set.

Minimum Qualifications

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

Preferred Qualifications

• NIULPE 2nd Class License or equal class or grade operator.
• Will consider alternate license.
• Experience/Knowledge in electrical controls is a plus.

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:

1. Name
2. Company Name
3. Type of reference (Professional, Supervisor, Colleague, Academic, or Personal). One (1) of those references will need to be a current or previous supervisor.
4. Email Address
5. Contact Phone Number

Recruitment Range: $46,654 - $47,901

Org #-Department: Utility Operations - 56406

Work Hours of Position: 2:45pm-11:00pm, (2nd Shift)

Number of Months per Year: 12

Job Family: Operations and Skilled Trades

Career Banded Title: Utilities Plant Operator

Open Date: 01/31/2025

Close Date: 10/04/2026

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 the HMI Computer Interface Unit.
• Perform all necessary plant configuration changes to safely and efficiently supply the campus with steam.
• Blow down the magnetrol low-level cutout switch.
• Blow down the reliance boiler safety device.
• Blow down the visual water level indicator.
• Blow down the boiler mud drum.
• Monitor the 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: Chemical Testing and Water Treatment

Essential Tasks:

• Test boiler water and treat with proper chemicals to maintain readings within prescribed limits to prevent scale and corrosion.
• Test condensate for pH and hardness. Treat system to maintain 8.0 pH. Hardness is to be monitored to determine freshwater contamination of heat exchangers.

Key Responsibility: Preventative and Corrective Maintenance

Essential Tasks:

• Perform all scheduled preventive maintenance in 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 building and plant.
• Inspect all satellite boilers twice a week minimum.

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 the boiler for tightness to ensure proper sealing.
• Test safety valves under pressure to ensure proper lifting and resetting.
• Prepare satellite boilers for inspection every two years.

Competencies

Competency: Knowledge - Technical

Competency Description:

• Performs non-routine tasks and assignments through practical application of industry standards involving operations and maintenance/repair of 40,000 pounds per hour and 50,000 pounds per hour boilers; all related boiler plant machinery and computerized boiler control system equipment.
• Applies general knowledge in the operation, maintenance, methods, procedures, and techniques of applicable and safety requirements.
• Performs routine, non-routine, and standard tasks to monitor, record, sample, and test equipment related to utility plant operations.

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.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Confined Space Training Certificate.

Competency Level: Journey

Competency: Problem Solving

Competency Description:

• Ability to identify (and may require the ability to resolve or make recommendations for) non-standard/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.

Competency Level: Journey

Physical Effort

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

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, Equipment/Machines - Scaffolds - R, Night/Dark - F, Extreme noise levels - F, Extreme temperatures - F, Inside - F, Outside - O, Ventilation ConditionsDust - F, Ventilation ConditionsFumes - F, Ventilation ConditionsChemicals - F, Ventilation ConditionsGases - F, Exposure to potential Hazardous Conditions - C, Chemical Spills - O, Gas Leaks - O, Acidic Harsh or Oily Substances - O, Electrical Hazards - O, Overtime - O