Boiler Operator III

Detroit Institute of Arts; Harrisburg (Dauphin County); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The Cordia Controls team is seeking a Control Operator III for the Harrisburg district energy plant. You will monitor, operate, and optimize boilers, chillers, pumps, and associated equipment to ensure uninterrupted service to customers.

Reporting to the Plant Manager, you will analyze operating conditions, respond to alarms, and make adjustments to maximize reliability and safety while supporting CMMS-based maintenance activities.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Minimum five years operating and/or maintaining central utility plants or district energy systems.
• Experience with high-pressure boilers, large centrifugal chillers, cooling towers, pumps, and generators preferred.
• Experience using DCS/SCADA and CMMS software preferred.

Responsibilities

• Safely operate, monitor, start, stop, and regulate plant equipment.
• Monitor plant performance through DCS, inspections, and instrumentation.
• Analyze conditions and adjust to optimize efficiency and reliability.
• Respond to alarms and emergencies; communicate shifts and conditions.
• Support preventive and corrective maintenance with maintenance staff.
• Maintain logs, shift reports, and regulatory documentation.

Skills

Boiler operation

Chiller operation

DCS/SCADA

CMMS

Maintenance coordination

Safety compliance

Alarm response

Documentation

Emergency response

Equipment testing

Education

High school diploma or GED

5+ years central utility plants experience

Job description

The Control Operator III is responsible for the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of Cordia's Harrisburg district energy plant and distribution system. This position monitors, operates, and optimizes central utility equipment, including high-pressure boilers, chillers, pumps, cooling towers, generators, water treatment systems, and associated auxiliary equipment to ensure uninterrupted service to customers.

Reporting to the Plant Manager and Operations Supervisor, the Control Operator III independently monitors plant conditions, identifies abnormal operating trends, responds to alarms, and makes operational adjustments to maximize system reliability, efficiency, and safety. This role also supports preventive and corrective maintenance activities, utilizes the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS), and collaborates with maintenance personnel to improve equipment reliability and plant performance. The Control Operator III exercises sound technical judgment, demonstrates operational leadership, and upholds Cordia's commitment to safety, environmental compliance, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.

• Safely operate, monitor, start, stop, and regulate boilers, chillers, pumps, cooling towers, generators, heat exchangers, and associated auxiliary equipment.
• Monitor plant and distribution system performance through the Distributed Control System (DCS), field inspections, and operating instrumentation.
• Analyze operating conditions and make adjustments to optimize plant efficiency, reliability, and customer service.
• Identify abnormal operating conditions and respond appropriately to alarms, equipment failures, and system emergencies.
• Maintain operational readiness of both local and remote plant facilities as assigned.

Monitoring & Documentation

• Monitor and record plant operating parameters, equipment status, and system performance.
• Maintain accurate operating logs, shift reports, journals, and regulatory documentation.
• Track operational trends and communicate changing plant conditions during shift turnover.
• Utilize CMMS software to document work activities and equipment history.

Maintenance & Reliability

• Perform routine inspections and operational testing of plant equipment.
• Assist Maintenance personnel with preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance activities.
• Troubleshoot electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and process-related equipment issues.
• Identify opportunities to improve plant reliability, efficiency, and equipment performance.
• Maintain excellent housekeeping standards throughout the facility.
• Monitor boiler and cooling water chemistry and adjust treatment systems as required.
• Ensure compliance with all environmental permits, operating procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Follow all Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), Job Safety Analyses (JSAs), and other safe work practices.

Safety & Teamwork

• Promote a culture of safety by identifying and addressing workplace hazards.
• Communicate effectively with operations, maintenance, and leadership teams regarding plant status and equipment conditions.
• Participate in training and continuously expand technical knowledge of plant systems and operations.
• Support emergency response efforts and perform additional duties as assigned.

Requirements:

Experience & Education

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience operating and/or maintaining central utility plants, district energy systems, cogeneration facilities, power plants, industrial boiler plants, or comparable industrial operations.
• Experience operating high-pressure boilers, large centrifugal chillers, cooling towers, pumps, diesel generators, and associated plant systems preferred.
• Experience using computerized plant control systems (DCS/SCADA) and CMMS software preferred.
• Valid Pennsylvania driver's license.
• Ability to work rotating 12-hour shifts, weekends, holidays, overtime, and respond to emergency call-outs as required.

Knowledge & Skills

• Thorough understanding of boiler, chiller, steam, hot water, chilled water, and auxiliary plant systems.
• Knowledge of plant operating procedures, equipment troubleshooting, and emergency response practices.
• Ability to recognize abnormal operating conditions and make sound operational decisions under pressure.
• Working knowledge of water treatment chemistry and industrial utility systems.
• Proficiency with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS), Microsoft Office, and plant monitoring software.
• Strong mechanical aptitude with the ability to troubleshoot electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, and hydraulic equipment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and accurate documentation.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with operations, maintenance, and leadership teams.
• Demonstrated commitment to safety, environmental stewardship, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described below are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.

• Frequently stand and walk throughout the facility for extended periods.
• Frequently climb stairs, ladders, and elevated platforms.
• Frequently bend, kneel, crouch, and work in confined or restricted spaces.
• Frequently reach, grasp, and manipulate valves, controls, tools, and equipment.
• Lift and carry up to 50 pounds regularly and up to 75 pounds when required.
• Work in indoor and outdoor environments exposed to varying weather conditions, elevated temperatures, noise, vibration, steam, and industrial machinery.
• Ability to distinguish alarms, communicate effectively by radio and telephone, and maintain visual awareness of gauges, control panels, and equipment indicators.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE), including respiratory protection when necessary.