Power Plant Operator II

University of Wisconsin-Green Bay; Green Bay (WI); On-site; USD 37,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay is seeking a Power Plant Operator II to manage the central heating and cooling plant on the Green Bay campus. You will operate boilers, chillers, electrical generation equipment, and related systems, ensuring reliable campus utilities and a safe, compliant work environment.

This full-time, 24/7 rotating shift role requires strong mechanical aptitude, safety discipline, and the ability to monitor equipment data, respond to emergencies, and perform routine

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent at time of application.
• Possess knowledge of basic safety rules and regulations.
• Possess a strong mechanical aptitude.

Responsibilities

• Assist with campus tasks, including cleaning and testing equipment as assigned.
• Operate, maintain, and repair boilers, chillers, and related equipment.
• Take readings, record data, and ensure safe, compliant operations.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Safety rules knowledge

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Current Employees and Students: If you are currently employed or enrolled as a student at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.

Position Title

Power Plant Operator II

Job Category

University Staff

Employment Type

Regular

Job Profile

Heating/Cooling Plant Operator II

Job Duties

At the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, our physical infrastructure is the foundation that allows us to provide access to higher education across Northeast Wisconsin. As a Power Plant Operator II, you take ownership of our central physical plant, driving the operational reliability of high-capacity boilers, chillers, electrical generation equipment, and compressed air systems. In this crucial role, you do more than log readings and adjust water chemistry—you directly empower success by maintaining a safe, climate-controlled environment where students, faculty, and researchers can thrive. Together, we rise when our central systems run seamlessly, and your technical vigilance keeps our entire campus energized. Built for a hands-on mechanical technician who takes pride in proactive problem‑solving, this 24/7 rotating shift role (including nights, weekends, and holidays) calls for an operator ready to advance fearlessly against complex mechanical and electrical challenges. Working alongside a dedicated facilities team that values building community and expressing gratitude for every team member’s contribution, you will execute routine maintenance, handle emergency responses, and support cross‑departmental utility needs. If you bring strong technical instincts, respect for safety, and a desire to keep critical infrastructure performing at peak efficiency, we invite you to power the future at UW‑Green Bay.

Key Job Responsibilities

• Assist with jobs and tasks as assigned from different departments around campus. Duties may include cleaning and testing air conditioners and refrigerators, repair and fabrication of equipment as needed, painting of different equipment and/or any other task as assigned.
• Cleans and maintains work areas and equipment
• Operates, maintains, and repairs air compressors and all related equipment to supply campus compressed air services
• Operates, maintains, and repairs boilers of varying types and capacities and associated equipment
• Operates, maintains, and repairs chillers of various types and sizes and all related equipment
• Takes readings from charts, meters, gauges, and related tools at established intervals and records information on daily log sheets or logbooks
• Operates, maintains, and repairs Electrical Generation equipment of various types and all related equipment
• Performs planned and emergency maintenance of all plant equipment
• Adheres to safety protocols and procedures
• Analyzes data and communicates recommendations on equipment and systems operations, both verbally and in written reports
• Performs water testing, monitoring, documentation, and adjusting of various chemistry and water treatment related equipment.

Department

Facilities Management - Heating Plant

Compensation

Hourly compensation range of $27.58 - $28.99. This position will earn an additional $0.80 per hour for all weekend hours worked, as well as for all hours worked between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. This position is not exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent at time of application
• Possess knowledge of basic safety rules and regulations
• Possess a strong mechanical aptitude

Preferred Qualifications

• 1 year operating and maintaining high pressure steam boilers or an ASOPE PPOE3 license
• 1 years operating centrifugal chillers with a chilled water system
• Experience using and monitoring a building automation system

Physical Qualifications

• Ability to work in confined spaces and heights
• Climb ladders and/or stairs
• Sustained overhead work
• Lift/carry/push/pull up to 50 lbs.
• Bend, stoop, twist, crouch, crawl, or kneel frequently
• Tolerate airborne dust and a dirty work environment

Conditions Of Appointment

This position is a full-time University Staff appointment and will be on a rotating shift schedule working one week on and one week off switching between days and nights. This schedule will include holidays and weekends. The shifts will be up to twelve hours during the scheduled two-week pay period and an occasional 16-hour shift on the Green Bay campus. A criminal conviction investigation and pre-work screen examination will be conducted on the finalist(s). In addition, if the final selected candidate has prior work history within the last 7 years with Universities of Wisconsin, a personnel file review check for employee misconduct will be completed. A six-month probationary period is required for this position. In compliance with the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act, the University does not discriminate on the basis of arrest or conviction record. The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources.

The Successful Candidate

The successful candidate will be expected to work inclusively and respectfully within a diverse campus community and practice civility in the workplace. The University welcomes applicants who are dedicated to the appreciation and promotion of inclusivity and equity as crucial components in the pursuit of organizational excellence. In addition, the successful candidate will have strong oral, written, interpersonal, and organizational skills, demonstrated integrity and strong leadership, and the willingness to work independently and as part of a collaborative team. The University invites applicants who are dedicated to enriching the quality of life for students and the community by embracing the educational value of diversity, promoting environmental sustainability, encouraging engaged citizenship, and serving as an intellectual, cultural, and economic resource.

Benefit Details

The Universities of Wisconsin provides an excellent benefits package to meet the diverse needs of its employees. For benefits eligible positions, this includes several health insurance options, with annual deductibles as low as $250/individual and $500/family. Our benefits package also includes dental, vision, several life insurance options, AD&D and Accident insurance and Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts. We participate in the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS), where employer contributions begin immediately, and employees are fully vested after 5 years of service. The Universities of Wisconsin also provides supplemental retirement savings programs including a 403(b) and Deferred Compensation. In addition, eligible employees receive several types of paid leave benefits, which are prorated for employees working less than 100%. This includes 9 legal holidays, 36 hours of personal holiday and between 96-130 hours of sick leave annually and paid parental leave. Eligible employees earn 13-27 days of vacation each year, depending on years of service and employment type. For more details, please review the benefit quick guide linked below.

• UW System Employee Benefits Brochure
• Total Compensation Estimator

Employee Misconduct

All final candidates will be asked to provide names, email contact information, and/or phone numbers for three (3) references, with at least one being from a manager or supervisor, during the interview process. All final candidates must be asked, prior to hire, whether they have been found to have engaged in, are currently under investigation for, or left employment during an active investigation in which they were accused of employee misconduct, sexual violence or sexual harassment. When obtaining employment reference checks, these same misconduct, sexual violence or sexual harassment questions must also be asked.

Confidentiality Statement

The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis.Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.