Heating Plant Operator.

Dartmouth College; Hanover (NH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 93,000; Full time

Job summary

Dartmouth College seeks a Heating Plant Operator in Hanover, NH, to manage heating steam, electrical generation, and turbine auxiliaries in a 24/7 facility. The role requires oversight of plant equipment, energy management alarms, and after-hours support for campus operations.

Candidates should have strong boiler operation experience, proficiency with control systems, and the ability to work shift hours, including overtime as needed. Health and safety training is essential.

Qualifications

• Five years of relevant power plant maintenance and boiler operations experience; or post-secondary technical school degree in power plant operation.
• Ability to pass an annual hearing test and participate in a hearing conservation program.
• High school graduate or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

Responsibilities

• Starts, stops and operates equipment according to proper procedures and safety guidelines.
• Monitors overall plant operation using the Bailey Distributed Control System, local gauges and panel meters.
• Ensures facility compliance with operating permits , facility emissions limits and operating procedures.
• Responds to after-hours telephone requests for assistance from members of the College community.
• Monitors and reports problems associated with the campus energy management computer and report fire alarms through the digitize system.
• Maintains a regular cleaning station as assigned and performs basic maintenance tasks; e.g., replacing status indicating lights.
• Maintains turbine room log and makes event entries in station log book.
• Records all relay trips during electrical outages for review by supervisory personnel.
• Routinely inspects equipment and writes work orders for items needing repair.

Skills

Power plant maintenance

Boiler operations

Electrical distribution systems

Computer literacy

Communication skills

Safety awareness

Bailey DCS familiarity

Education

High school diploma

Power plant operation technical training

Tools

Bailey DCS

Job description

Position Details

Position Information

Posting date: 08/31/2026

Closing date: Open Until Filled

Position Number: 0410600

Position Title: Heating Plant Operator

Hiring Range Minimum: $43.46

Hiring Range Maximum: $43.46

Union Type: SEIU

SEIU Level: U

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Employment Category: Regular Full Time

Scheduled Months per Year: 12

Scheduled Hours per Week: 40

Schedule:

Location of Position: Hanover, NH

Remote Work Eligibility? Onsite only

Is this a term position? No

If yes, length of term in months. n/a

Is this a grant funded position? No

Position Purpose

The Heating Plant provides heating steam and co-generates electricity on a 24-hour basis for all of the College’s GPO and ORL buildings. The Plant Operator is responsible for the operation of the Plant’s electrical generators and electrical distribution system, emergency diesel generator, and turbine auxiliaries. The Operator is also responsible for the oversight of all plant equipment and systems including the flow of steam and electric out of the Heating Plant. The position is also responsible for: responding to telephone requests for after-hours assistance from members of the College community; maintaining the station log book and communicating information to appropriate Plant and/or FO&M personnel. Monitors and reports fire alarms. Monitors and responds to computer energy management system alarms. Alerts appropriate FO&M personnel to equipment malfunctions and emergencies.

Description

Required Qualifications - Education and Yrs Exp: High School plus 5+ years' experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Qualifications - Skills, Knowledge And Abilities:

• Five years of relevant power plant maintenance and boiler operations experience; or post-secondary technical school degree in power plant operation; or the equivalent.
• Ability to pass an annual hearing test and willingness to partake in a hearing conservation program.
• High school graduate or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Working knowledge of and skill in the operation of high pressure steam boilers, turbine generators, and high voltage electrical distribution systems.
• Successful completion of plant operator training guidelines.
• Knowledge of facility operating permits and emissions limits in order to maintain compliance with federal and state regulations.
• Must be computer literate and proficient in current methods of computer-automated boiler control.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and to communicate effectively with a wide variety of College personnel.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions and flow diagrams.
• Must demonstrate sound judgment and good problem-solving skills.
• Must be in good physical condition, able to perform strenuous physical labor under extreme high temperature conditions, and able to work on ladders.
• Willingness to work shift hours as assigned and to work overtime when required.
• Must have successfully completed the following training prior to performing work to which the training relates: Hazardous Waste Storage and Handling; Spill Prevention Controls and Countermeasures; Driver Safety; Hazard Communication; Lock-out/Tag-out; Respirator Training, Fit, and Physical Examination; Working in confined spaces

Department Contact

Campus Services HR

Department Contact Phone Number: 603-646-3323

Department Contact for Cover Letter and Title: William D Riehl, Assistant Director of Utility Operations

Department Contact's Phone Number: 646-2133

Equal Opportunity Employer

Dartmouth College is an equal opportunity employer under federal law. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected status. Applications are welcome from all.

Background Check

Employment in this position is contingent upon consent to and successful completion of a pre-employment background check, which may include a criminal background check, reference checks, verification of work history, conduct review, and verification of any required academic credentials, licenses, and/or certifications, with results acceptable to Dartmouth College. A criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify an applicant from employment. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

Driving Requirement

Is driving a vehicle (e.g. Dartmouth vehicle or off road vehicle, rental car, personal car) an essential function of this job? Preferred, but not required.

Special Instructions to Applicants

UNION POSITIONS ARE AVAILABLE TO SEIU UNION MEMBERS ONLY DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF POSTING . AFTER ONE WEEK OF POSTING , IF THE POSITION HAS NOT BEEN FILLED INTERNALLY , IT IS OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE DARTMOUTH COMMUNITY . OPEN TO UNION MEMBERS ONLY FROM 8/31/2026 THROUGH 9/07/2026.

Dartmouth College has a Tobacco-Free Policy. Smoking and the use of tobacco-based products (including smokeless tobacco) are prohibited in all facilities, grounds, vehicles or other areas owned, operated or occupied by Dartmouth College with no exceptions. For details, please see our policy. https://policies.dartmouth.edu/policy/tobacco-free-policy

Additional Instructions

Quick Link https://searchjobs.dartmouth.edu/postings/87078

Key Accountabilities & Responsibilities

• Starts, stops and operates equipment according to proper procedures and safety guidelines.
• Monitors overall plant operation using the Bailey Distributed Control System, local gages and panel meters.
• Ensures facility compliance with operating permits , facility emissions limits and operating procedures.
• Responds to after-hours telephone requests for assistance from members of the College community.
• Monitors and reports problems associated with the campus energy management computer and report fire alarms through the digitize system.
• Maintains a regular cleaning station as assigned and performs basic maintenance tasks; e.g., replacing status indicating lights.
• Maintains turbine room log and makes event entries in station log book.
• Records all relay trips during electrical outages for review by supervisory personnel.
• Routinely inspects equipment and writes work orders for items needing repair.

Working Conditions

• Works from ladders, scaffolds, and platforms
• Work requires bending, kneeling, standing, climbing, and working in stretched, cramped or awkward positions.
• Work involves regular lifting, carrying, or holding objects weighing up to 70 pounds.
• Work is performed indoors, outdoors, in bad weather, and in areas that are dirty, or smoky or where fumes and steam are present.
• Work involves exposure to extreme high temperatures and noise levels.
• Work involves wearing special or protective clothing such as: overalls; gloves ; goggles; ear plugs or protectors ; and hard hat.
• Work may require employee to wear protective clothing and a breathing apparatus in order to shut down equipment under conditions of extreme high temperature where fumes and thick smoke are present.
• Work requires exposure to high voltage electrical.
• Work require exposure to steam and water at high pressure and temperature.

Culture and Employee Belonging

We are actively striving to make Campus Services a desired place to work in the Upper Valley, a place where people feel welcomed, where they can be their authentic selves, be heard, and feel accepted. We want this culture to be felt by those who receive our services. The way we treat one another should be the same way we treat our customers.

• Demonstrates a commitment to inclusion and cultural awareness through actions, interactions, and communications with others.
• Participates in division-wide CEB initiatives and training, including promotion of the 7 Principles (Empathy, Fairness, Dependability, Inclusivity, Consideration, Vulnerability and Respect)
• Willingness to foster a growth mindset in the areas of improving culture and inclusion across the division.

Additional Duties

• Demonstrates professionalism and collegiality through actions, interactions, and communications with others appropriate to an environment that is welcoming to all.
• Performs other duties as assigned