Power Plant Operator - CRC

Milwaukee County; Franklin, Northern (WI, KY); Hybrid; USD 44,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Milwaukee County seeks a Power Plant Operator to ensure safe, efficient steam plant operation and reliable heat for the Community Reintegration Center.

The role requires Wisconsin residency, a high school diploma or GED, 1+ year boiler operation experience, and possession of NIULPE 4th Class or ASOPE 2nd Class license or Milwaukee permit. Shifts include weekends/holidays with overtime as needed.

Qualifications

• Minimum residency within the State of Wisconsin at time of application.
• Valid Wisconsin Driver’s License required at application and maintained during incumbency.
• High School Diploma or GED equivalency required.
• One year or more of experience operating high-pressure boilers or steam plants.
• Possession of NIULPE 4th Class Stationary Engineer OR ASOPE 2nd Class OR Milwaukee boiler permit required.
• Must be able to multi-task during 24/7 operations.
• Must be willing to work weekends, holidays and overtime as needed.

Responsibilities

• Operate high-pressure steam plant boilers and auxiliary equipment; monitor for abnormal conditions and take corrective actions.
• Perform daily chemical tests on boiler systems and adjust chemical pumps to maintain balanced water chemistry.
• Regenerate water softeners and dealkalizers; manage salt deliveries and resin quality.
• Perform planned maintenance on boilers and equipment on a regular schedule.
• Monitor nitrogen pressure and manage standby boiler operations; replace depleted cylinders as needed.
• Monitor METASYS building automation and deep well pump systems; report alarms.
• Maintain logs and records; convey steam plant status to relief.
• General facilities maintenance and response to work order requests.

Skills

High-pressure Boiler Operation

Safety Compliance

Education

High School Diploma or GED equivalency

Boiler Licenses/Permits (NIULPE 4th Class OR ASOPE 2nd Class OR City of Milwaukee Boiler Permit)

Job description

Posted Friday, August 28, 2026 at 6:00 AM

Interested in joining Milwaukee County? Milwaukee County is searching for authentic people who are out to change the game and bring their whole selves to work every day.

Milwaukee County oversees operations from our Airport, Behavioral Health, Child Support, Combined Court Operations, Sheriff's Department, Community Reintegration Center, Human Services, Parks, Public Safety, Public Works, Fleet Operations, Transportation, and at the Zoo. Our departments are also dedicated to our Seniors and those with Disabilities in Aging and Disability Services, and Veterans in Veterans Services. Our employees also remain committed to serving the cultural, human, recreational, and social needs of the entire community.

Milwaukee County offers a wide variety of interesting jobs for people who want to make a difference in our community. Milwaukee County provides a competitive benefit package and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.If disability related accommodations are needed, please email [e-mail]. For submitted application inquiries please [e-mail] .

We are searching for Changemakers to come and join our team and discover our diverse and versatile community of independent spirits and unique talents, we are redefining the way you think about Milwaukee County!

Department: Community Reintegration Center

Full-time, Hourly
Hourly Range $32.01 - $48.01/hr

Job Summary: The Power Plant Operator ensures an efficient and safe operation of the steam plant through oversight of all the equipment within the steam plant. Provide the Community Reintegration Center with steam for sufficient heat and hot water. Provide steam for various departments (i.e., kitchen, laundry, maintenance) to support the mission of the Community Reintegration Center.

Job Responsibilities

• Operate High-Pressure Steam Plant - Start, shift, operate/monitor and secure boilers and auxiliary equipment. Recognize abnormal conditions and take corrective action. Inspect and record hourly parameters of operating equipment. Perform boiler bottom and surface blowdowns.
• Perform Daily Chemical Test Analyses - Chemical test operating boilers, water softener, reverse osmosis, feed water and various condensate systems. Analyze test results. Fill two chemical tanks and adjust chemical pump settings to maintain boiler alkalinity, phosphate and sulfite level as dictated by test results.
• Regenerate Water Softener and De-alkalizer Resin - Monitor water softener and de-alkalize quality output. Initiate regeneration, monitor and log process when system quality is depleted. Lift, carry and add 80 lb. salt bags to softener and de-alkalize brine tanks to maintain 100% salinity level.
• Perform Planned Maintenance - Perform daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, semi-annual and annual planned maintenance duties on boilers and auxiliary equipment as assigned.
• Maintain Adequate Nitrogen Pressure on Standby Boilers - Transport full/empty nitrogen cylinders to/from Powerhouse at time of delivery. Monitor, maintain and adjust nitrogen system to maintain adequate pressure on standby boiler as per log sheet. Replace depleted nitrogen cylinders as needed.
• Monitor METASYS Building Automation and Deep Well Pump Systems - Monitor, acknowledge and report METASYS building automation alarms as dictated by alarm status. Inspect and monitor deep well pumping system to supply water for Fish Hatchery. Inspect pumps, piping, and valves for leaks or abnormalities, reporting abnormalities to Supervisor.
• Maintain a Clean Work Environment - Complete all assigned daily cleaning duties of the Powerhouse.
• General Facilities Maintenance - Address requests generated through work orders or other communications means by staff for facilities maintenance service or repairs throughout the campus.
• Miscellaneous Duties - Maintain accurate logs and records. Convey steam plant status to relief. Tighten valve packing leaks. Replace leaking boiler sight glass and packing. Transport chemical delivery (chemical drums) to Powerhouse. Complete assigned Powerhouse shift orders.
• Ability to safely and properly operate: boilers and auxiliary equipment, power tools, hand tools, chemical test lab equipment, gauges and computers.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 80 lbs.; and push and pull 200+ lbs.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Education, License/Certification and Experience

• Current residency within the State of Wisconsin upon application required
• Valid Wisconsin Driver’s License required upon application and must be maintained throughout incumbency
• High School Diploma or GED equivalency required
• One (1) year or more of work experience operating High-pressure Boilers or Steam Plants required
• Possession of one of the following licenses or permits required upon application: NIULPE 4 th Class Stationary Engineer license OR ASOPE 2 nd Class license OR City of Milwaukee High-Pressure Boiler Operator's permit (higher-class permits accepted) required
• The steam plant operates 24/7 and 365 days/year. Must have the ability to multi-task (perform additional/required duties while operating boilers/steam plant entire shift)
• All Power Plant Operators can be assigned to work any shift as needed
• All Power Plant Operators work weekends, holidays and overtime as needed

NOTE: This original application is open to residents of the State of Wisconsin at the time of application. In accordance withSection 11, Rule3 of theCivil Service Rules a non-competitive examination will be held for this position. The non-competitive examination will consist of criteria deemed appropriate by the Director of Human Resources. APPLICANTS MUST POSSESS THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AT THE TIME OF FILING AN APPLICATION.

PGNR25

Milwaukee County is committed to fostering an equitable working environment, free from discrimination and harassment, on the basis of any characteristic protected by law. We prohibit any form of discrimination, harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, pregnancy related condition, national origin, age, disability, FMLA status, sexual orientation, military status, marital status, or any other category or status that is now or in the future protected by federal, state, and local law. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing, background checks and pre-employment physicals subject to job requirements.