Stationary Engineer, Plant Operator (Second Grade)

Rice University; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO

Health insurance

Tuition discounts

Campus facilities access

Job summary

Rice University is seeking a Stationary Engineer, Plant Operator (Second Grade) to operate and monitor central utility plants and campus systems with a 12-hour night shift (8:00 p.m.–8:00 a.m.). The role requires hands-on operation, troubleshooting, and adherence to safety protocols to ensure reliable campus utilities.

Ideal candidates will have 3+ years in central plant operations, familiarity with BAS/SCADA, and the ability to obtain the Houston Second Grade license within 6 months if needed.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Three+ years of central plant/utility operations experience including high‑pressure boilers.
• City of Houston Second Grade Stationary Engineer license or ability to obtain within 6 months.

Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor central plant equipment including boilers, chillers, pumps, and auxiliary systems.
• Monitor BAS, alarms, trends, and operating data; respond to abnormal conditions.
• Perform preventive maintenance and minor repairs on mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, and control systems.
• Maintain accurate operating logs and shift reports using CMMS.
• Adhere to safety policies and procedures (LOTO, PPE, confined-space, etc.).
• Support continuous plant operations and assist in incident investigations and root-cause analyses.

Skills

Central plant operations

Mechanical aptitude

Read blueprints & schematics

Troubleshooting

BAS/SCADA awareness

Tools

CMMS

BAS/SCADA

Job description

Job Description

Under the direction of the Senior Director, Plant Operations, the Stationary Engineer, Plant Operator (Second Grade) isresponsible for the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of RiceUniversity's central utility plants and campus utility systems.This role operates and monitors central plant equipment andBuilding Automation Systems (BAS), conducts routine equipmentinspections, identifies and responds to alarms and abnormaloperating conditions, and performs troubleshooting and minormaintenance activities to support continuous utility service.

The Stationary Engineer, Plant Operator (Second Grade) isresponsible for monitoring equipment performance, communicatingoperational issues, maintaining accurate operational records,following established operating and safety procedures, andresponding to routine and emergency events affecting plantoperations. This position requires hands‑on operation andtroubleshooting of central plant equipment, including HVAC systems,chillers, boilers, steam and condensate systems, pumps, coolingtowers, heat exchangers, generators, and related utilityinfrastructure.

The ideal candidate is a safety-focused and dependable plantoperator with hands‑on experience operating, monitoring, andtroubleshooting central plant, industrial, or utility systems. Thisindividual demonstrates strong mechanical aptitude, sound judgment,and the ability to effectively diagnose and respond to equipmentand system issues in both field and control-room environments.Familiarity with BAS, HMI, SCADA, preventive maintenance practices,and equipment diagnostics is preferred.

In addition to joining a meaningful and mission-driven team,employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including PTO,health insurance, tuition discounts, and access to campusfacilities.

Workplace Requirements

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible, on-site position based atRice University. All job duties must be performed in person and inaccordance with the assigned plant operations schedule. Per Rice policy 440 , workarrangements may be subject to change.

This position is designated as an Essential On-Campus Position andplays a critical role in maintaining the university's utility andplant operations. Employees are required to report to campus duringemergencies, severe weather events, or other operationaldisruptions as directed to support the continuity of criticalservices. Employees must remain accessible to leadership andavailable to perform essential duties during such events.

This role is assigned to a 12-hour night-shift schedule (8:00 p.m.to 8:00 a.m.), with primary shift rotations including Mondaythrough Thursday or Wednesday through Sunday. The position requiresworking nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime as needed tosupport continuous plant operations. Shift assignments, schedules,and rotations may be adjusted based on business and operationalrequirements.

Hiring Rate

The proposed salary rate will be commensurate with qualificationsand experience. *Non-Exempt (hourly) positions under FLSA are eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Three or more years of related experience in central plantoperations, utility operations, industrial operations, or a similarenvironment, including experience operating high-pressure steamboilers
• Current City of Houston Second Grade Stationary Engineer'sLicense or ability to acquire one within 6 months of hire
  • Able to acquire a reciprocal license from another municipality.Candidates holding a valid stationary or steam engineer's licensefrom a state, municipality, or government agency may qualify forexamination for an equivalent City of Houston grade, pending boardapproval, verification of boiler-operating experience, andsuccessful completion of a written examination on boiler operation,maintenance, repair, and safety rules

Skills

• Knowledge of central plant operations, mechanical systems,instrumentation, and computerized monitoring and controlsystems
• Strong mechanical aptitude, with the ability to inspect,troubleshoot, diagnose, and perform minor repairs on plant andutility equipment
• Ability to read and interpret technical documents, includingblueprints, P&IDs, equipment manuals, and electricalschematics
• Ability to identify abnormal equipment conditions, solveoperational problems, and respond effectively during criticaloperating situations
• Knowledge of preventive-maintenance practices,equipment-failure analysis, and water-treatment systems related toboiler, cooling-water, and plant operations

Preferences

• C-grade or higher State of Texas water operator license
• Valid Texas driver's license, or the ability to obtain onewithin 30 days of employment, with no more than three movingviolations or at-fault accidents within the past 36 months and noconvictions or deferred dispositions for DWI or DUI within the pastfive years

Essential Functions

• Operate, monitor, start, stop, secure, and adjust central plantequipment, including turbines, chillers, boilers, pumps, coolingtowers, air compressors, generators, heat exchangers, andassociated auxiliary systems, to maintain safe, reliable, andefficient plant operations and respond to changing campus loaddemands
• Continuously monitor plant, utility-distribution, and campussystems through direct inspection, BAS/HMI/SCADA systems,instrumentation, alarms, trends, and operating data; identify andrespond to abnormal operating conditions
• Perform routine equipment inspections and rounds to assesstemperatures, pressures, flows, vibration, noise, leaks, and otherindicators of equipment performance or deterioration
• Respond to equipment alarms, trips, utility interruptions,emergencies, and operational issues; make operational adjustmentsas directed and promptly communicate significant events toleadership
• Perform preventive maintenance, equipment inspections,lubrication, minor repairs, and hands-on troubleshooting ofmechanical, electrical, instrumentation, and control systems
• Monitor and maintain water, chilled-water, cooling-water,steam, and condensate chemical-treatment programs to supportoptimal system performance and reliability
• Support equipment-failure investigations and root-causeanalyses by providing operating history, equipment data,observations, and recommendations for corrective actions
• Maintain accurate operating logs, shift reports, equipmentrecords, work orders, and time entries using CMMS and otherrequired systems; ensure effective shift-turnovercommunication
• Adhere to all safety policies and procedures, includingLockout/Tagout (LOTO), confined-space entry, PPE, chemicalhandling, and reporting of unsafe conditions or practices
• Apply knowledge of central utility and district energy systems,including HVAC, centrifugal chillers, steam and condensate systems,high-pressure boilers, CHP/cogeneration systems, pumps, coolingtowers, generators, and computerized plant control systems; performother duties as assigned

Additional Functions

• Maintain clean, safe, orderly, and accessible plant facilities,equipment, and work areas
• Assist maintenance personnel, contractors, and plant staff withequipment inspections, troubleshooting, startups, shutdowns, andrepair activities as required
• Participate in required training, safety meetings,emergency-response drills, and operational-improvementinitiatives
• Identify and communicate recurring equipment issues andopportunities to improve plant safety, reliability, efficiency, andmaintainability
• Support the development, review, and continuous improvement ofoperating procedures, equipment checklists, maintenance practices,and plant documentation

Rice University HR | Benefits:

https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits

Rice Mission and Values:

Mission and Values | RiceUniversity

Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal EmploymentOpportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into ourcandidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employmentwithout regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexualorientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, geneticinformation, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodationfor any part of the application or hiring process, please contactRice University’s Human Resources Office via email at [e-mail] for support. If you have any additional questions, please email us at [e-mail]. Thank you for your interestin employment with Rice University.