Central Plant Operator

University of Vermont Medical Center; Burlington (VT); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Evening shift differential

Free on-site parking

Technical training and licensing

Career growth opportunities

Meaningful work

Job summary

The University of Vermont Medical Center is seeking a Central Plant Operator to join our Facilities team, operating and maintaining the hospital's critical utility systems 24/7. You will monitor boilers, chillers, pumps, and medical gas systems, respond to alarms, and coordinate the Facilities response to emergencies.

Ideal candidates will have mechanical aptitude, the ability to troubleshoot complex equipment, strong communication and documentation skills, and a valid driver's license.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated mechanical aptitude with the ability to troubleshoot complex mechanical and electrical equipment.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize competing demands, and respond effectively during emergency situations.
• Strong communication and documentation skills.
• Valid driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Operate, monitor, inspect, and maintain the hospital's Central Utility Plant.
• Perform preventive and corrective maintenance on boilers, chillers, pumps, HVAC equipment, and associated mechanical systems.
• Monitor and respond to equipment alarms using Niagara and Automated Logic building automation systems (BAS).
• Respond to facility emergencies, equipment failures, and service requests throughout the hospital.
• Operate and maintain five high‑pressure steam boilers totaling 2,650 horsepower, providing steam for heating, humidification, sterilization, and domestic hot water.
• Monitor and maintain four 1,340‑ton centrifugal chillers supporting patient care areas, medical equipment, and facility cooling.
• Assist with the operation and maintenance of medical gas systems, emergency generators, fire protection systems, and other critical building infrastructure.
• Document inspections, maintenance activities, and operational data while ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory standards.
• Collaborate with fellow operators and Facilities staff to maintain reliable, uninterrupted operation of all critical building systems.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Independent work

Communication & documentation

Valid driver's license

Tools

Niagara

Automated Logic BAS

Job description

Behind every patient room, operating room, laboratory, and life-saving procedure is a Central Utility Plant operating around the clock. As a Central Plant Operator, you'll be part of the team responsible for ensuring the hospital's critical infrastructure remains safe, reliable, and fully operational 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

You’ll join a team of experienced operators responsible for maintaining one of the region's most critical healthcare facilities, where reliability, teamwork, and sound technical judgment are essential every day.

This is more than a maintenance position. You'll operate and maintain the systems that provide steam, chilled water, medical gases, heating, cooling, ventilation, and other essential utilities that directly support patient care. During evenings and other off‑hours, you'll also serve as the Facilities point person for critical building systems, responding to alarms, troubleshooting equipment, and coordinating the Facilities response to equipment issues and building emergencies.

Whether your experience comes from a hospital, industrial facility, manufacturing plant, power generation, higher education campus, commercial HVAC, or another large mechanical operation, you'll find an opportunity to apply your technical expertise while learning the unique systems that support healthcare. If you enjoy solving complex mechanical problems, collaborating with a skilled team, and playing a critical role in ensuring essential systems operate safely and reliably, we'd like to hear from you.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Operate, monitor, inspect, and maintain the hospital's Central Utility Plant.
• Perform preventive and corrective maintenance on boilers, chillers, pumps, HVAC equipment, and associated mechanical systems.
• Monitor and respond to equipment alarms using Niagara and Automated Logic building automation systems (BAS).
• Respond to facility emergencies, equipment failures, and service requests throughout the hospital.
• Operate and maintain five high-pressure steam boilers totaling 2,650 horsepower, providing steam for heating, humidification, sterilization, and domestic hot water.
• Monitor and maintain four 1,340-ton centrifugal chillers supporting patient care areas, medical equipment, and facility cooling.
• Assist with the operation and maintenance of medical gas systems, emergency generators, fire protection systems, and other critical building infrastructure.
• Document inspections, maintenance activities, and operational data while ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory standards.
• Collaborate with fellow operators and Facilities staff to maintain reliable, uninterrupted operation of all critical building systems.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required:

• Demonstrated mechanical aptitude with the ability to troubleshoot complex mechanical and electrical equipment.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize competing demands, and respond effectively during emergency situations.
• Strong communication and documentation skills.
• Valid driver's license.

Preferred:

• Experience operating or maintaining central utility plants, commercial HVAC systems, industrial mechanical equipment, healthcare facilities, power plants, or similar environments.
• Experience with building automation systems (Niagara, Automated Logic, or similar).
• Experience with steam generation, chilled water systems, boilers, pumps, or industrial refrigeration.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS:

No licenses are required at the time of hire; however, successful candidates will be expected to obtain the required certifications within 12 months of employment. Training and development support are provided to help you succeed.

• Evening shift differential.
• Free on-site employee parking.
• Opportunities for technical training, licensing, and career growth.
• Meaningful work supporting the safe operation of a mission-critical healthcare facility.

Every day, thousands of patients, visitors, and caregivers depend on systems they never see. As a Central Plant Operator, you'll be the professional who ensures those systems never miss a beat.