Plant Utility Operator; Facilities, Real Estate, and Planning (3rd shift)

Wake Forest University Pre-College Programs; United States; On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Wake Forest University is seeking a skilled technician to monitor and operate high-pressure boiler systems and associated equipment at the Central Heating Plant. The role includes off-hours customer service, incident triage, and routine maintenance to ensure safe, reliable campus utilities.

Responsibilities include monitoring water, steam, and electrical systems; generating reports; and coordinating with Service Technicians. Strong communication and a valid driver's license are required.

Qualifications

• High school graduate with specialized training plus five years related experience.
• Experience with operation and maintenance of steam systems or similar mechanical facilities.
• Ability to practice effective oral communication skills with internal and external customers.
• Valid Driver License with good driving record; must be insurable.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and adjust utility plant equipment (pumps, fans, dampers, motors, burners, etc.) to ensure proper operation.
• Assemble accurate reports documenting plant operation during assigned shift.
• Perform preventive maintenance to keep plant systems in good condition.
• Serve as Campus Facilities Management Customer Service contact during off-hours and dispatch work as needed.
• Attend training as required by management and perform repairs/replacements as needed.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Computer skills

Driver license

Education

High school diploma + specialized training

5 years related experience

Tools

Computer software

Instrumentation

Job description

Job Description Summary

Responsible for the monitoring and operation of high-pressure boiler systems and auxiliary equipment for the Central Heating Plant and other utility systems operated by the University. Provides customer service as well as general service technician functions during off‑hours as staffing levels permit.

Essential Functions:

Monitors and adjusts utility plant equipment including pumps, fans, dampers, motors, compressors, burners, etc. as required to ensure proper operation of all plant systems. Performs regular plant system and equipment checks and assembles accurate reports to document plant operation during assigned shift. Tests and monitors plant and campus water systems to detect abnormal conditions and corrects as necessary. Performs preventive maintenance procedures to ensure that plant systems are in proper working condition at all times. Monitors campus utility systems and accurately log critical data: steam, chilled water, domestic water, electricity, etc… Serves as Campus Facilities Management Customer Service contact, accepting phone calls and dispatching work to Service Technicians and/or Housekeeping personnel during off‑hours and as required. Acts as a first responder to campus needs, performs triage and/or repairs issues, performs general maintenance duties on campus. Successfully completes all training as required by Senior Plant Operator or management. Performs repair and replacement of plant equipment and general campus equipment as needed.

Other Functions:

Performs repairs and replacement of plant equipment and general campus equipment as needed. Completes pool maintenance and operation duties as assigned. Assist with backflow preventer PM’s Assist Campus Utilities Maintenance Team as needed in general maintenance and repairs. Inspects boilers and associated systems in other University heating plants as directed. Repairs equipment as needed. Reports all matters of safety to the appropriate manager and to Safety Director if necessary. Follows all University and departmental policies and procedures. Performs other related duties as required by Management. Is subject to recall after hours in the event of campus emergencies, disasters, or other special needs as directed by management. Is considered an essential employee as defined in Facilities Management's Severe Weather Policy.

Required Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

High school graduate with specialized training plus five years related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience with operation and maintenance of steam systems or similar mechanical facilities systems. Ability to practice effective oral communication skills with internal and external customers. Skilled in appropriate telephone etiquette and the ability to interact effectively and cordially with students, faculty, staff, peers and management. Basic computer skills: internet, email etc…. Ability to monitor and operate plant systems through use of computer software and other means and/or instrumentation. Valid Driver License with good driving record; must be insurable.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

Technical Training in the areas of steam and chilled water operations and production. Computer skills, word processor, spreadsheet etc.. Technical skills in the areas of HVAC, plumbing, electrical, carpentry and other maintenance related fields. NC Pool Operator certification NC Backflow Preventer testing certification.

Physical Requirements:

Heavy Work: Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Talking; hearing; climbing; stooping; kneeling; standing; walking; lifting; pushing; pulling; grasping. Close visual acuity to perform an activity such as operations of machines; using measurement devices; and/or visual inspections of small parts or devices. Subject to both inside and outside environmental conditions. Subject to hazards.

Accountabilities:

Responsible for own work only. Works under minimal supervision. Reports to Utility Plant Foreman.

Additional Job Description and Time Type Requirement

Full time

Note to Applicant: This position profile identifies the key responsibilities and expectations for performance. It cannot encompass all specific job tasks that an employee may be required to perform. Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform job-related duties as may be reasonably assigned by his/her supervisor.

In order to provide a safe and productive learning and living community, Wake Forest University conducts background investigations and drug screens for all final staff candidates being considered for employment.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all qualified candidates to apply without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, disability and military or veteran status.

Accommodations for Applicants If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact [e-mail] or [phone].

About WFU

Wake Forest University, formed in 1834, has experienced decades of growth and innovation. WFU is a distinctive university that combines a liberal arts core with graduate and professional schools and innovative research programs. The University embraces the teacher-scholar ideal, which prizes the personal interaction between students and faculty. It is a place where exceptional teaching, fundamental research and discovery, and the engagement of faculty and students in the classroom and the laboratory are paramount. Wake Forest University is a community that seeks the enlightenment and freedom which come through diligent study and learning. Its higher goal, however, is to give life to the University motto “Pro Humanitate,” as members translate a passion for knowledge into compassionate service. The community shares a tradition that embraces freedom and integrity and acknowledges the worth of the individual. The heritage, established by the school's founders and nurtured by succeeding generations, promotes a democratic spirit arising from open‑mindness and discourse. Wake Forest fosters compassion and caring for others. Its collective strength and character are derived from the values and distinctive experiences of each individual; therefore, it affirms the richness of human intellect and culture and its contribution to knowledge, faith, reason, and dialogue. Furthermore, it strives toward a society in which good will, respect, and equality prevail. To that end, Wake Forest University rejects hatred and bigotry in any form and promotes justice, honor, and mutual trust. The University is comprised of: the undergraduate college, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, School of Business, School of Divinity, School of Law, and School of Medicine (located on the Bowman Gray campus with Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center) and today enrolls about 4,846 undergraduates and 2,823 students in graduate programs at its principal location, the Reynolda campus. Students at Wake Forest University enjoy a great deal of access to and interaction with world‑class faculty both in and out of the classroom setting with a student‑faculty ratio of 11:1. Wake Forest employs approximately 2,772 full and part‑time faculty and staff. Wake Forest is a collegiate university offering a vibrant, intellectual community with a rich cultural life, an impressive array of facilities, and a strong athletics program competing in the fifteen‑team Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Since its founding, the university has adopted the motto “pro humanitate,” which is exemplified by a deep institutional commitment to public service and engagement with the world. Wake Forest has a strong commitment to holistic, eight‑dimensional well‑being for students, faculty and staff as evidenced in the Thrive initiative.

Winston‑Salem

Winston‑Salem, North Carolina Wake Forest is located in Winston‑Salem, North Carolina, a beautiful, mid‑sized city centrally located in the Piedmont‑Triad region of North Carolina. Winston‑Salem is a family‑friendly city with high quality schools, numerous outdoor recreational activities and events, and is known for its vibrant and thriving arts scene. Winston‑Salem residents enjoy close proximity to the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains (1.5 hours) and Atlantic beaches (4 hours), a moderate climate with four distinct seasons, a very reasonable cost of living, and an eclectic variety of restaurants, wine bars, and breweries for dining with friends and family. Winston‑Salem offers many of the amenities of a large city but with the sense of community and quality of life of a smaller town.