Powerhouse Operator Trainee - Central Power Plant

Utilities is a division of Facilities and Operations, made up of 135 dedicated employees responsible for providing utilities services for the university 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. Services include campus-wide utilities purchasing, generation, and distribution, as well as metering and billing energy consumption for all university buildings. Distribution includes the operations and maintenance of 300 miles of underground utility systems from outdoor lighting and high voltage circuits to water mains to tunnel piping. The division also provides a wide range of engineering services primarily dedicated to energy management, the operations and maintenance of university facilities, and the utilities infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• An entry-level position designed to train an employee to move into the Powerhouse Operator classification.
• Assists in the maintenance, repair, and operation of power plant and facility equipment as directed by supervision and operating engineers.
• Perform the following duties under the direction of operating engineers:
  • Perform constant visual checks, read gauges, and manipulate controls.
  • Clear lines of sediment.
  • Inspect, install, and repair steam pipes and insulation, valves, pumps, and safety devices.
  • Record various meter readings of pressure and temperature.
  • Perform water conditioning and treatment tests.
  • Start and shut down boilers with assistance.
  • Clean, inspect, and perform routine maintenance on equipment including, but not limited to, oiling and greasing, repairing of furnace factories, and repacking of leaking packing glands.
  • Assist with annual routine maintenance of equipment.
  • Perform basic machining such as drilling, threading, and grinding.
• Observe all University policies and procedures.
• Act in accordance with the Facilities and Operations' guiding principles: collaboration, respect, proactive, solutions-based, and responsibility to the environment.

Requirements

• Graduation from high school, a trade school equivalent, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Willingness to attend and ability to successfully complete related course work.
• Considerable mechanical aptitude.
• Familiarity with hand and power tools.
• Some knowledge of safety standards and procedures.
• Must be able to perform the full range of duties, with or without a reasonable accommodation, in an environment that has high levels of heat and noise.
• This position constantly positions self to service and repair powerhouse equipment traversing under and over obstacles, ascends/descends ladders to service and repair powerhouse equipment, and routinely moves powerhouse equipment and materials weighing up to 50lbs.

Benefits

Being part of something greater, of serving a larger mission of discovery and care — that's the heart of what drives people to work at Michigan. In some way, great or small, every person here helps to advance this world-class institution. It's adding a purpose to your profession.

Additional Information

• Supervision Received: Close supervision is received from a designated official. Receives direction from operating engineers.
• Union Affiliation: This position is covered under the collective bargaining agreement between the U-M and the International Union of Operating Engineers, which contains and settles all matters with respect to wages, benefits, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment.
• Background Screening: The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third-party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.