Power Plant Operator Senior
Facilities Management Department
University of Wisconsin-Parkside

The University of Wisconsin Parkside currently has a vacancy for a Power Plant Operator, Senior to work in the Facilities Management Department. 

Members of the public and UW Parkside and UW System employees with expected continuous employment (formerly known as Permanent), Project and Limited Term Employees, are encouraged to apply.

 

This position is a university staff, full-time, non-exempt, non-represented position. A six month permissive probation period will be required. Hours of work are primarily 3rd shift (11 pm - 7am), Monday through Friday. Occasional 1st shift (7 am - 3 pm) and 2nd shift required (3 pm - 11 pm).

 

This position has a high level of responsibility in a large and highly complex Heating & Chilling Plant. General supervision is received from the Power Plant Superintendent. On shift, the Power Plant Operator, Senior is solely responsible for the following: total operation and maintenance of the entire plant in a safe and efficient manner, assistance in emergency situations, emergency repairs, and performance of any other duties associated with the operation of a complex heating and chilling plant.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

20% A. Operate boilers and boiler controls to maintain proper steam pressure, water levels, and other operating parameters. (NOTE: The Heating & Chilling Plant provides heating to 10 campus buildings, which are inter-connected by a series of underground tunnels and conduits.)
A1. Light off, operate, and shut down high-pressure watertube and firetube boilers on gas and oil.
A2. Perform boiler fuel changes from gas to oil and oil to gas.
A3. Monitor control systems, observe changes, and make any necessary adjustments to maintain the most safe and efficient operation.
A4. Operate combustion analysis equipment.

 

20% B. Perform operational duties, as required.
B1. Exercise sound judgment as to when boilers, chillers, and auxiliary equipment should be used.
B2. Complete daily preventative maintenance and duties such as: checking oil levels, soot blowing, tank blow downs, instrument calibration, packing adjustment, etc.
B3. Monitor the MetaSys (computerized energy management system) computer. Start and stop campus systems as needed. Contact appropriate personnel as needed.
B4. Analyze and assess trouble situations. Determine when emergencies exist and take immediate steps to resolve.
B5. Exercise the authority to call repair personnel, as necessary.
B6. Establish communication with preceding and succeeding shifts to discuss problems in English language to assure a smooth transition between shifts.
B7. Understand language and procedures in operating computers, and computer-associated / computer-controlled equipment.

 

20% C. Maintenance of Heating & Chilling Plant equipment.
C1. Perform preventative maintenance of all plant equipment. Inspect equipment, record and analyze data, take appropriate preventative, predictive, and corrective action.
C2. Disassemble, inspect, replace defective parts and reassemble machinery such as compressors, motors, pumps, mechanical controllers, etc.
C3. Packing of pumps and valves.
C4. Installation and repair of piping systems.
C5. Inspection, repair, removal and replacement of boiler tiles, refractory and insulation. Clean boiler firesides and watersides.
C6. Turbining of boiler tubes.
C7. Alignment of pump and driver shafts.
C8. Inspect, repair or replace equipment parts such as, but not limited to, bearings, seals, belts, hoses, valves, impellers, wear rings, filters, diaphragms, gaskets, piping / fittings, etc.
C9. Remove, repair or replace insulation.
C10. Paint equipment, as required.
C11. Change oil and grease, and/or lubricate equipment, as required.
C12. Erect and dismantle scaffolding.
C13. Fabricate safety guards and shields.
C14. Check and repair steam traps.
C15. Inspect and clean cooling tower and sump.

 

10% D. Start, operate, and shut down auxiliary equipment, such as, but not limited to, air compressors, air dryers, diesel-driven electrical generator, centrifugal and positive-displacement pumps, gas systems, oil systems, pneumatic systems, hydraulic systems, softeners, dealkalizers, electrical switchgear, etc.
D1. Monitor auxiliary equipment and make operating adjustments as conditions change.

10% E. Operate water chillers to maintain proper cooling and dehumidification. (NOTE: The Heating & Chilling Plant provides cooling to 9 campus buildings, which are inter-connected by a series of underground tunnels and conduits.)
E1. Start, operate, and shut down water chillers and associated equipment.
E1. Monitor pressure gauges, thermometers, and chiller control systems.
E2. Adjust chiller instrumentation to meet campus demand as conditions change.

 

10% F. Miscellaneous Tasks and Responsibilities
F1. Adhere to plant policies and procedures.
F2. Operate Heating & Chilling Plant computers; input and retrieve data, and produce & understand plant reports, as required.
F3. Perform janitorial duties, as assigned.
F4. Complete assigned equipment cleaning.
F5. Maintain good public relations.
F6. Take phone messages and appropriate action on them.
F7. Leave clear and concise written messages in English language.
F8. Enter notation in English language of irregular operations, electrical outages, problems, etc. in operations logbook.
F9. Respond to fire and security alarms and take appropriate action.
F10. Respond with appropriate and timely action during power outages. Switch from normal power to emergency power and back, using established procedures.
F11. Assist other Power Plant Operator Seniors, as required.

 

5% G. Perform boiler water, chilled water, tower water, condensate, feed water, softened water, and dealkalized water testing and analysis.
G1. Collect samples of boiler water, chilled water, tower water, condensate, feed water, softened water, and dealkalized water.
G2. Using established methods, test water for corrosion potential, pH, bacterial and algae growth, chemical residuals, etc.
G3. Select treatment chemicals, treatment chemical dosages, and blowdowns to maintain desired water chemistry.
G4. Utilize personal protective equipment (PPE) and proper safety practices in operating chemical treatment systems and handling treatment chemicals

 

5% H. Maintenance of controls.
H1. Troubleshoot and replace electrical controls and relays.
H2. Calibrate gauges and thermometers.
H3. Service, calibrate, and blow down transmitters.
H4. Calibrate controllers to maintain maximum efficiency.
H5. Calibrate O2 sensors.
H6. Change O2 sensors, filters and traps on combustion analyzer.
H7. Adjust liquid level controllers.
H8. Troubleshoot, calibrate, and replace, as necessary: solid-state circuit boards, signal isolators, solenoids, switches, actuators, regulators, recorders, surge suppressors, totalizers, sensors, indicators, meters, monitors, displays, amplifiers, modules, signal converters, terminals, power conditioners, orifice plates, etc.

 

Required knowledges skills and abilities

·      Ability to communicate verbally, reading and in writing using the English language to give, receive, read, and write detailed instructions.

·      Interpersonal skills necessary to interact effectively with the public, coworkers, and other University workers.

·      Sufficient long-term memory to be able to recall and apply policies, procedures and regulations. Sufficient short-term memory to be able to return to and accurately complete tasks after interruptions.

·      Knowledge of emergency Heating & Chilling Plant procedures and reactions.

·      Ability to communicate emergency situations with clarity in the English language.

·      Ability to attend work on a regular basis except for leave provided by the law.

·      Ability to learn and perform all essential job functions safely while on shift, with little direct supervision after training.

·      Sufficient manual dexterity to operate office equipment, hand tools, machinery, and maintenance equipment.

·      Ability to read, interpret and understand equipment manuals and blueprints.

·      Possess a high degree of mechanical aptitude.

·      Ability to deal with stressful situations.

·      Initiative to work productively for sustained periods without supervision.

·      Currently possess, or obtain before completion of probation, and maintain ASOPE Third Class Power Plant Operating Engineer License, or approved equivalent.

 

Ergonomic Requirements:

This position requires performance of duties under adverse conditions, such as working below grade, in extreme hot/cold or confined spaces, and from elevated or uneven surfaces.

The ability to climb ladders, traverse planks or walkways, squat, kneel, bend, stoop, crawl, twist, lay flat, lift heavy objects (up to 50 lbs.) repeatedly, and adequate balance to accomplish the noted tasks is required.

The ability to tolerate airborne dust and a dirty work environment is required.

The ability and flexibility to access boiler watersides / firesides and tanks / vessels through restricted openings as small as 11" x 15" elliptically is required.

The ability and mobility to move about the plant and perform complex procedures under a time constraint is required.

 

Equipment to be used on the job:

(By each piece of equipment, "F" for frequent use, "O" for occasional use, or "R" for rare use.)

1. Tools: (power or manual tools)

Dial indicator-O, Oxyacetylene torch-O, Electric drill-F, Hydraulic press, hoist & jack-O, Drill sharpener-R, Taps & dies-F, Vernier calipers-O, Packing extractors-O, Brooms & brushes-F, Dead weight tester-O, Paint rollers & brushes-O.

 

2. Large Machinery: (includes vehicles)

Office vehicle-R, Drill Press-O, Surface grinder-R, Horizontal milling machine-R.

 

3. Electrical Equipment: (i.e.: floor buffer, includes office equipment)

Sawzall-O, Pipe cutter & threader-F, Bench grinder-F, Tube Cleaner (boiler & chiller)-O, Vacuum cleaner-F, Floor buffer-O, Computer-F.

 

4. Chemicals: (includes cleaning supplies, lab chemicals, hazardous waste)

glass cleaner, white out, general surface cleaner, lubricating oils & greases, fuel oils, natural gas, LPG (propane), boiler & chilled water treatment chemicals, water testing reagents, boiler refractory patching materials, ceramic fiber blanket, paints & thinners, penetrants, anti-seize, solder, fluxes, oil-dry, teflon joint sealants, degreasers, mineral spirits, industrial liquid detergents.

 

Qualifications

Required 

Training in power plant operations or related experience

 

Preferred

Experience as a power plant operator

Experience working in a university setting

Possession of a ASOPE Third Class Power Plant Operating Engineer License (Active or Inactive)

 

Salary and Benefits

Hourly rate of $19.298/hour.

The University of Wisconsin System provides a liberal benefits package, including participation in a state pension plan.

 

Review of Applications

Applications submitted by Friday, July 31st, 2015 will have full consideration; position is open until filled.

 

Application Process

All applications are to be submitted electronically through our employment portal:https://www.careers.wisconsin.edu

 

Click the "Apply Now" button. You must create an account and login before you can submit your application. If you have not registered, click on the "Click Here to Register" link to begin the registration process. If you are already a registered user, input you User Name and Password and select "Login." If you have questions about how to apply from the Candidate Gateway, go to https://kb.wisc.edu/hrs/page.php?id=21900

 

Interested candidates should submit the following:

  Cover Letter outlining qualifications for the position
  Resume
  Names and Contact information for 3 professional references

 

Your application will not be considered complete until all required documents are attached and all required fields are completed. Incomplete applications may not receive further consideration.

 

A criminal background check will be required at the time of hire.

 

UW-Parkside is an AA/EEO employer. Individuals from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

 

It is the policy of UW-Parkside to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact the Office of Human Resources at 262-595-2204.  Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual's disability.

 

Contact Information

If you have application questions call or email:

Jennifer Wagner
University of Wisconsin Parkside
Facilities Management Department
Office (262) 595-2576
Email: wagnerj@uwp.edu