Plant Utilities Engineer 1, Chilled Water Plant

University at Buffalo; Buffalo (NY); Hybrid; USD 53,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

University at Buffalo seeks a Plant Utilities Engineer 1 for the Chilled Water Plant to operate boilers, chillers, and associated HVAC systems. The role involves maintaining environmental conditions, monitoring control systems, and performing routine maintenance to ensure reliability and safety.

The position requires familiarity with boiler and chiller operation, chemical residuals management, and adherence to NY HELPS qualifications for eligibility.

Qualifications

• Experience operating and maintaining large boiler, HVAC, and chilled water systems.
• Familiarity with plant control systems and routine maintenance.

Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor boilers, steam and hot water systems, and related equipment.
• Operate chillers and associated cooling equipment, including towers and condensers, ensuring proper temperatures.
• Perform system testing, maintenance, and chemical residuals management.
• Balance and calibrate HVAC distribution and exhaust systems to ensure safe environmental conditions.

Job description

Plant Utilities Engineer 1, Chilled Water Plant

Position Title Plant Utilities Engineer 1, Chilled Water Plant

As a Plant Utilities Engineer 1 at the University at Buffalo you will be responsible for:

• Operate steam and hot water boilers including lighting off, firing, cleaning and shutting down system. Operate central and auxiliary computers which monitor, test, control and operate boilers, auxiliary equipment and HVAC systems. Operate boiler, feed water, condensate and hot water supply and return systems. Duties include operation of boiler feed water pumps, aerator, electric or steam driven feed water and condensate pumps, atmospheric drain tanks, cascade feeders, nitrogen and steam pressurization systems. Troubleshoot, repair and calibrate electronic and pneumatic combustion and HVAC control systems. Conduct boiler, HVAC , and water systems testing, analyzing results and adding chemicals to maintain proper residuals in boiler and piping systems. Perform all system maintenance.
• Operate large central absorption, centrifugal, screw driven and hermetic chiller systems and other refrigeration equipment. Duties include starting, regulating and troubleshooting to maintain proper temperature. Operate related auxiliary air-conditioning equipment, such as cooling towers, evaporative coolers, fan coils, vacuum pumps, purge chillers, and water cooled condensers. Conduct chilled water and condenser water chemical analysis to maintain proper residuals. Perform all system maintenance.
• Appointees will be required to have a valid license to operate a motor vehicle in NYS or otherwise demonstrate their capacity to meet the transportation needs of the job. Operate HVAC systems to maintain proper environmental conditions including hydronic, steam, and air handling distribution systems. Calibrate controls, balance air distribution systems, and maintain proper air temperature, humidity, fresh air and air flow quality. Insure proper operation and air flow through various exhaust systems, including laboratory fume hoods, medical facility exhausts and general exhaust systems.
• Operate high and/or low voltage electrical distribution systems, steam, diesel and gas turbine generators, transformers and switch gears, load centers, motor control centers, panel boards, emergency power and lighting distribution systems, motor generator sets and UPS systems.

Learn more:

• Our benefits , where we prioritize your well-being and success to enhance every aspect of your life.

The University at Buffalo is an equal opportunity employer ( EOE ) and welcomes all to apply including veterans and individuals with a disability.

Departmental Operating Needs

Minimum Qualifications

This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS ).

Non-competitive (NY HELPS )

Learn about the many ways your experience and or education can qualify you for this title. If you meet any one of the qualifications to follow, you’re eligible to apply for this exciting position.

Qualify for our canvass list

• You must meet at least one of the following criteria:
  • Either 1. Graduate of heating, HVAC , ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration apprenticeship program from the U.S. Air Force
  • Or 2. Must have been an enlisted machinery technician (MK) with the U.S. Coast Guard OR possession of a certificate as a Marine Engineer issued by the U.S. Coast Guard
  • Or 3. Must have been an enlisted power generation equipment repairer with the U.S. Army
  • Or 4. Must have been an enlisted gas turbine systems technician, submarine nuclear propulsion plant operator reactor control, utilities man, machinist mate, or engineman with the U.S. Navy
  • Or 5. Must have a Merchant Mariner’s Document ( MMD ) and have been a qualified member of the engine department ( QMED ) as an oiler, fireman/water tender, refrigerating engineer or engineman with the U.S. Merchant Marine
  • Or 6. Completion of a New York State Department of Labor registered apprenticeship program for stationary engineers, plant maintenance (plumber/steamfitter), HVAC Mechanic or plant maintenance (refrigeration/AC) (See Note #1)
  • Or 7. Possession of a High-Pressure Boiler Operating Engineer License or Stationary Engineer License
  • Or 8. A bachelor’s degree in Facilities Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Marine Engineering
  • Or 9. An associate’s degree in HVAC
  • Or 10. One year of full-time hands on experience in the maintenance and operation of commercial, industrial, institutional facility, computer applications of digital energy platforms and building analytics and/or performing diagnosis, repair of HVAC systems or boilers or auxiliary equipment
  • Or 11. One year of full-time hands on experience in a residential setting performing diagnosis, operation, maintenance repair of HVAC systems or boilers or auxiliary equipment
  • Or 12. Completion of an HVAC certificate or diploma from a BOCES program (440 hours) OR completion of an approved certificate in HVAC , electrical, refrigeration, boiler operations and maintenance, or plumbing from an accredited technical school or technology college

Competitive ( NON -NY HELPS )

• Transfer Eligibility Requirement: You must have a current permanent appointment with a minimum of 1 year of service in a position of the same title or transferable title.
• Reassignment Requirement: You must hold the same title at the University at Buffalo.
• Reinstatement Requirement: You must be a former state employee to request reinstatement to the title that was held (or transferable title).

Preferred Qualifications

• A valid NYS Drivers license; or otherwise be able to demonstrate that the transportation requirements of the job can be met.
• EPA Universal Certification
• NYSDOH Backflow testing Certification
• NYSDEC Pesticide Certification
• Fall Arrest training
• Confined Space Training
• OEM Boiler Certification
• Lock-out/Tag-out training
• OEM Chiller Certification
• Cooling tower training

Our University Community

Prodig+ No

Executive Position

Executive Position No

Physical Demands

Bending, twisting, ability to lift 50 pounds, climb ladders, access equipment located on mezzanines, catwalks, basements and crawlspaces. Ability to work off ladders, scaffolding, in confined spaces and/or where air monitoring may be required. Work in loud/noisy dusty/dirty environments. Work with or around high-pressure steam, high-voltage electrical systems and rotating equipment.

Driving Requirements

Driving Requirements A Class D driver’s license is a required minimum qualification for this position. Employees must operate university owned vehicles for business purposes and be enrolled in the LENS program to verify license validity.

Salary Range

Salary Range $59,049

Work Days

Work Days Rotating Shifts (overtime, work on holidays, and non scheduled days may be required.)

Work Hours

Varies

Job Type

Job Type Full-Time

Campus

Campus All Campuses

Additional Information

Is a background check required for this posting?

Is a background check required for this posting? Yes

Background Check Notification Employment in this position will be contingent on the university’s verification of credentials and any other information required by federal or state law, and University at Buffalo policies, including the completion of a criminal history check.

Contact Information

Contact's Name

Contact's Pronouns

Contact's Title

Contact's Title Plant Utilities Engineer 3

Contact's Email

Contact's Phone

Contact's Phone [phone]

Posting Dates

Posted

Posted 02/17/2026

Date to be Filled

Supplemental Questions

• * Please select your eligibility for application to this position.
  • Transfer Eligibility Requirement: you must have a current permanent appointment with a minimum of 1 year of service in a position of the same title or transferable title.
  • Reassignment Requirement: You must hold the same title at the University at Buffalo.
  • Reinstatement Requirement: You must be a former state employee to request reinstatement to the title that was held (or transferable title).
  • I do not meet any of the above requirements.
• * Please indicate your current employment affiliation with the University at Buffalo.
  • Faculty
  • Faculty Student Association (FSA)
  • Research Foundation Employee
  • State Classified
  • State Professional
  • UB Foundation
  • TA/GA
  • StudentNo Current Employment Affiliation
• * How did you first hear about this employment opportunity?
  • AcademicKeys.com
  • CareerExposure.com
  • CareerWomen.com
  • Chronicle of Higher Education
  • DiversitySearch.com
  • GoogleJobs.com
  • HERCjobs.org
  • HigherEdJobs.com
  • IMDiversity.com
  • Indeed.com
  • LinkedIn.com
  • MBACareers.com
  • Conference
  • Personal Referral
  • UBJobs.buffalo.edu
  • Other

UB is an AA/EOE and welcomes all to apply including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Arrangements will be made if an applicant has a disability in order to provide access to the application, interview and selection process upon request. Reasonable accommodation requests must be made in a timely manner by email at [e-mail] or by phone [phone].