E4 Powerhouse Operator

Kappaalphapsi1911; Ann Arbor (MI); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Michigan is seeking a Powerhouse Operator/Designee to help monitor the operation of boilers and turbine generators, conduct rounds, check gauges, and adjust controls to meet load requirements. The role requires strong mechanical aptitude, safety awareness, and the ability to work under hot and noisy conditions.

The position involves starting up and shutting down equipment, recording operational data, and maintaining boiler water treatment while complying with university procedures

Qualifications

• Graduation from high school, trade school, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Must have a valid driver's license.
• Strong math, physics and chemistry knowledge for plant operations and boiler/turbine basics.
• Experience in powerhouse settings with boiler/turbine operations or as a Powerhouse Operator Designee.
• Mechanical aptitude and safety standards knowledge.
• Ability to maintain operation records and operate under heat/noise conditions.

Responsibilities

• Monitor boilers and turbine generators, and respond to load changes.
• Conduct rounds, read gauges, monitor control screens, and adjust controls as needed.
• Blow down boiler when solids exceed limits and verify safety controls.
• Inspect and repair piping, valves, pumps, and safety devices.
• Record readings of pressure, temperature and flow; manage boiler water treatment.
• Operate and coordinate control mechanisms including distributive control systems and switchboards.
• Ensure adherence to safety procedures, PPE, and lockout/tagout protocols.
• Start up and shut down boilers and turbine generators; perform routine maintenance on equipment.

Skills

Powerhouse operations

Mechanical aptitude

Safety standards

Math & physics basics

Reading gauges & meters

Education

High school diploma or trade school

Tools

Distributive control system

Switchboard operation

Meters & gauges interpretation

Job description

Who We Are

Utilities is a division of Facilities and Operations, made up of 135 dedicated employees responsible for providing utilities services for the university 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. Services include campus-wide utilities purchasing, generation, and distribution, as well as metering and billing energy consumption for all university buildings. Distribution includes the operations and maintenance of 300 miles of underground utility systems from outdoor lighting and high voltage circuits to water mains to tunnel piping. The division also provides a wide range of engineering services primarily dedicated to energy management, the operations and maintenance of university facilities, and the utilities infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Monitor the operation of boilers and turbine generators and their associated systems, and react to varying load requirements.
• Perform constant visual checks, plant/facility rounds, read gauges, monitor control system screen monitors, and manipulate controls.
• Blow down boiler when conductive solids and impurities exceed specified limits; test high and low pressure safety controls.
• Clear lines of sediment.
• Inspect, install and repair piping systems, valves, pumps and safety devices.
• Record various meter readings of pressure, temperature and flow.
• Add chemicals to condition boiler water and water treatment and conditioning equipment.
• Maintain a chemical balance in boiler water and cooling systems according to prescribed procedures by performing standard testing procedures.
• Inspect and adjust automatic or manual control mechanisms with assistance if necessary.
• Start up and shutdown boilers.
• Clean, inspect and perform routine maintenance on equipment and facilities including, but not limited to, oiling, greasing, repair of furnace refractory, system leaks, and repacking of leaking packing glands.
• Observe University fire and safety procedures such as burn permits, personal protective equipment use, lockout and confined space procedures.
• Start up, synchronize, load and unload turbine generators.
• Set and control operating parameters through a distributive control system, and a switchboard operation, making adjustments via relays, switches, valves and screen monitors.
• Check screen monitors, meters and gauges to monitor pressure and temperature of steam, water, oil, air, steam traps, reducing valves and water treatment and conditioning equipment.
• Observe gauges and meters to read voltage, amperage, and kilowatts of generators and transformers.
• Record equipment and systems operation and maintenance data.
• Check oil levels of all rotating and reciprocating machinery, and add lubrication where necessary.
• Check the charging rate of plant storage battery systems.
• Participate in determining need for changes in temperature, pressure, or flow to satisfy varying plant load situations, and systems operations.
• Perform periodic rounds of inspection, checking for proper function of equipment.
• May coordinate the work of assigned assistants.

Required Qualifications

• Graduation from high school, a trade school equivalent or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Must have a valid driver's license.
• Knowledge and understanding of mathematics in the industrial environment, basic physics and chemistry for plant operations, process equipment and instrumentation fundamentals,steam system basics, and boiler and turbine operations.
• Considerable maritime or powerhouse experience with boiler and turbine operations or satisfactory and reliable performance as a Powerhouse Operator Designee.
• Considerable mechanical aptitude.
• Thorough knowledge of safety standards and procedures.
• Thorough knowledge of the equipment, methods and materials used in boiler and turbine operations.
• Thorough knowledge of the operation and maintenance requirements of high and low pressure boilers, turbines, generators and related equipment.
• Ability to prepare and maintain routine operation records and reports.
• Thorough knowledge of safety standards and procedures.
• Ability to exercise tact and discretion in relationships with others.
• Must be able to perform the full range of duties, with or without a reasonable accommodation, in the classification in an environment that has high levels of heat and noise. This includes, but is not limited to, operating valves, inspecting equipment, traversing under and over obstacles, ascending/descending ladders, and being able to transport up to 50lbs.
• Act in accordance with the Facilities and Operations' guiding principles: respect, collaboration, proactive, solutions-based and responsibility to the environment.

Why Work at Michigan?

Being part of something greater, of serving a larger mission of discovery and care - that's the heart of what drives people to work at Michigan. In some way, great or small, every person here helps to advance this world-class institution. It's adding a purpose to your profession. Work at Michigan and become a victor for the greater good.

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Work Schedule

The initial training period will be 6:30am-3:00pm M-F, but after completion the position will be a rotating 12-hour schedule with 48 hours one week and 36 the next, swapping from day shift to night shift every 2 weeks.

Union Affiliation

This position is covered under the collective bargaining agreement between the U-M and the International Union of Operating Engineers, which contains and settles all matters with respect to wages, benefits, hours and other terms and conditions of employment.

Background Screening

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.