Utilities Plant Operator

Job Responsibilities

• Operates and maintains all equipment at the Central Energy Plant, including high pressure boilers, centrifugal chilled water units, cooling towers, air compressors, pumps, valves, heat exchangers, and various controls.
• Performs preventive and corrective maintenance on all boilers, including safety devices.
• Opens all boilers for cleaning and inspection.
• Performs preventive and corrective maintenance on steam, water, air, oil, and gas valves, from 1/2 inch up to 8 inches, from repacking to complete tear down.
• Installs and repairs pipes (black iron, copper, PVC) ranging in size from 1/4 inch up to 3 inches.
• Cleans and paints boiler room, pumps, valves, and lines, ensuring work area is maintained in a clean and orderly manner.
• Takes boiler water, chilled water, and cooling tower water samples daily, performs water quality tests, and adds chemicals as necessary to maintain proper water quality specifications for each system.
• Checks all operating boilers, chillers, and cooling towers hourly for proper operation, pressure, temperature, water and oil levels, fuel and air mixture, and completes operational logs for each system.
• Performs as Central Energy Plant shift supervisor after hours, keeping records, supervising fuel deliveries, inspecting contractor work in the facility after hours, and ensuring compliance with regulatory and environmental requirements.
• Maintains a computerized 24-hour campus-wide Energy Management System to ensure economical use of heating and cooling resources and diagnose problems with HVAC systems.
• Notifies and recalls appropriate personnel if necessary to correct malfunctioning equipment.
• Demonstrates safety knowledge by practicing and adhering to all proper safety procedures and OSHA regulations pertaining to the HVAC/Utilities trade.
• Consistently wears/uses appropriate personal protective equipment as required.
• Ensures that furniture, floors, walls, and surrounding work area are protected from dust & debris while work is being performed.
• Ensures that all job sites are thoroughly cleaned when work has been completed.

Essential Percent of Time

• 30% - Performs preventive and corrective maintenance on air, oil, gas and water pressure regulators, steam pressure reducers, and steam traps to insure proper operation.
• 30% - Performs preventive and corrective maintenance on all water, oil, condensate return pumps, from replacing packing and seals to complete tear down.
• 30% - Performs as Central Energy Plant shift supervisor after hours, keeping records, supervising fuel deliveries, inspecting contractor work in the facility after hours, and ensuring compliance with regulatory and environmental requirements.
• 10% - Monitors a computerized 24-hour campus-wide Energy Management System to ensure economical use of heating and cooling resources and diagnose problems with HVAC systems.

Minimum And Additional Requirements

• High school diploma and three years of specialized mechanical experience in the operation and maintenance of large steam boilers, centrifugal chilled water units, cooling towers, and related mechanical equipment.
• Valid SC driver’s license is preferred, as the employee will be required to drive state vehicles to transport equipment &/or personnel when needed.
• Candidates with an equivalent combination of experience and/or education are encouraged to apply.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of boiler and associated equipment repair, pipe fitting, and basic electricity.
• Basic computer skills and working knowledge and experience in using e-mail.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.).
• Experience in utilizing on-line work order systems.
• Skill with electronic devices such as iPhone and iPad.
• Able to follow oral & written instructions.

Additional Comments

• Must be physically able to perform the duties as described.
• Must be able to perform manual labor and work outside in all types of weather.
• Must be able to work in close quarters, climb ladders/stairs, enter/exit hatches and manholes, as well as, lift/operate heavy equipment.
• May be required to be on campus during and immediately following all emergencies such as hurricanes, floods, etc.
• This position is critical and requires the incumbent to be reliable, highly qualified, capable of performing independent duties under pressure, and possess supervisory ability.
• This position involves working on a rotating shift as the Central Energy Facility operates 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
• Overtime work may be required, as needed, due to staffing shortages, emergencies, etc.