Steam Plant Operator (Journey)

Located in North Carolina’s third largest city, UNC Greensboro is among the most diverse, learner-centered public research universities in the state, with 18,000 students in eight colleges and schools pursuing more than 150 areas of undergraduate and over 200 areas of graduate study. UNCG continues to be recognized nationally for academic excellence, access, and affordability. UNCG is ranked No. 1 most affordable institution in North Carolina for net cost by the N.Y. Times and No. 1 in North Carolina for social mobility by The Wall Street Journal — helping first-generation and lower-income students find paths to prosperity.

About the role

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.

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.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Operate and control boilers using HMI System loop commanders and the HMI Computer Interface Unit.
• Perform all necessary plant configuration changes to safely and efficiently supply the campus with steam.
• Perform blowdown procedures for magnetrol low-level cutout switch, reliance boiler safety device, visual water level indicator, and 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 and 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.
• 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, including:
  • Tour the plant and inspect all equipment at the beginning of the shift.
  • Attend turnover briefing and 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 monitor for hot conditions or possible electrical wires burning.
• Perform chemical testing and water treatment:
  • 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 and monitor hardness to determine freshwater contamination of heat exchangers.
• Perform preventative and corrective maintenance:
  • Perform all scheduled preventive maintenance in the 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 housekeeping of building and plant.
  • Inspect all satellite boilers twice a week minimum.
• Prepare boilers and pressure vessels for inspection by insurance company:
  • 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.
• Perform 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.
• Apply general knowledge in the operation, maintenance, methods, procedures, and techniques of applicable and safety requirements.
• Perform routine, non-routine, and standard tasks to monitor, record, sample, and test equipment related to utility plant operations.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalency and one year of related experience; or equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Requires certification.
• NIULPE 2nd Class License or equal class or grade operator (preferred).
• Experience/knowledge in electrical controls is a plus.
• 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.

Skills

• Journey-level competency in performing non-routine tasks and assignments through practical application of industry standards.
• Ability to independently perform complex preventative maintenance and troubleshooting of applicable machines, equipment, and tools.
• 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.
• Ability to identify and resolve 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.
• Ability to understand and respond to standard questions; ability to identify non-standard questions and determine the appropriate resource to consult/respond.

Physical Effort

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

Work Environment

• Driving - Car/Truck: Occasional
• Driving - Standard/Automatic: Occasional
• Driving - Mower/Forklift: Occasional
• Equipment/Machines - Heights: Frequent
• Equipment/Machines - Ladders: Frequent
• Equipment/Machines - Step Stools: Frequent
• Equipment/Machines - Scaffolds: Rare
• Night/Dark: Frequent
• Extreme noise levels: Frequent
• Extreme temperatures: Frequent
• Inside: Frequent
• Outside: Occasional
• Ventilation Conditions - Dust: Frequent
• Ventilation Conditions - Fumes: Frequent
• Ventilation Conditions - Chemicals: Frequent
• Ventilation Conditions - Gases: Frequent
• Exposure to potential Hazardous Conditions: Continuous
• Chemical Spills: Occasional
• Gas Leaks: Occasional
• Acidic/Harsh or Oily Substances: Occasional
• Electrical Hazards: Occasional
• Overtime: Occasional

Pay

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

Schedule

• 2:45pm - 11:00pm (2nd Shift)
• 12 months per year