Thermal - Maintenance Technician

Detroit Institute of Arts; Omaha (NE); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Detroit Institute of Arts is seeking a Thermal Maintenance Technician to support the Energy Center Omaha district energy plants. The role requires safe, reliable maintenance of plant equipment on a 24/7 basis when required, working with operators, contractors, and engineers. The position is based at the Howard St.

Plant and California St. Plant, with extended hours during critical issues and potential travel to corporate locations.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; associate degree or related technical field preferred.
• Five years of plant operations/maintenance experience preferred.
• Formal steam plant operations training, licensure, or certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform operations, maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting on plant equipment such as chillers, boilers, steam turbines, pumps, and RO systems.
• Demonstrate a strong safety culture and maintain a safety-first approach.
• Support maintenance of thermal plants with cost-conscious practices.
• Maintain plant reliability and assist other departments.
• Perform welding, fabrication, repair, and troubleshooting of equipment.
• Coordinate with contractors and suppliers for servicing and maintenance.
• Develop and review maintenance work orders and schedules.

Skills

Safety-first mindset

Team collaboration

Effective communication

Plant operations knowledge

Problem-solving under pressure

MS Office proficiency

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate degree or related technical field

Tools

Fiix CMMS

Excel

Word

Outlook

Job description

Thermal Maintenance Technician

Summary

Reporting to the Maintenance Supervisor, the Maintenance Technician is responsible for maintenance activities at Energy Center Omaha district energy plants. This role ensures safe, reliable, and efficient maintenance of plant equipment on a 24/7 basis when required. The Maintenance Technician works closely with other technicians and contractors to maintain plant performance and reliability.

This position will be based at the Howard St. Plant and California St. Plant.

Principal Responsibilities / Key Result Areas

• Perform operations, maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting on plant equipment such as chillers, boilers, steam turbines, pumps, and RO systems.
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to safety and maintain a safety-first culture.
• Support effective and cost-conscious maintenance of thermal plants.
• Maintain plant reliability and assist other departments including Operations, I&C, and Distribution.
• Perform welding, fabrication, repair, and troubleshooting of plant equipment and related systems.
• Promote teamwork and productivity across Maintenance, I&C, Engineering, Distribution, and Operations through effective communication.
• Interpret and review technical manuals, sketches, prints, and manufacturer documentation to ensure best maintenance practices.
• Support safety and environmental programs while ensuring regulatory compliance.
• Troubleshoot plant operational issues by collaborating with operators, mechanics, managers, and engineers.
• Assist in developing corrective and preventative maintenance work orders and schedules.
• Coordinate with equipment manufacturers regarding servicing, assembly, and maintenance of equipment.
• Analyze data on time estimates, equipment needs, and manpower requirements.
• Recommend improved maintenance practices to increase efficiency and reduce equipment downtime.
• Coordinate field activities between contractors, consultants, and material suppliers when assigned.
• Assist with urgent plant issues which may require extended hours, nights, or weekends.
• Promote continuous improvement in maintenance processes.
• Support safety initiatives, root cause analysis, condition-based monitoring, and proactive maintenance programs.
• Maintain maintenance history and backlog data in the Fiix CMMS system.
• Communicate with vendors and clients to request or provide technical information.
• Support inventory control by identifying and correcting inventory discrepancies.
• Adhere to company Vision, Mission, and Values with a safety-first mentality.
• Complete additional projects and duties as assigned.

Knowledge & Skills

• Strong safety-first culture and attitude.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively within a team environment.
• Ability to coordinate multiple activities under pressure while maintaining safety.
• Strong working knowledge of plant operations and maintenance.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications including Excel, Word, and Outlook.
• Experience working with steam turbines preferred.
• Ability to develop work plans and maintenance schedules.
• Experience working in District Energy environments preferred.

Experience & Education

• High school diploma or GED equivalent required.
• Valid driver’s license required.
• Associate degree in a related technical field or equivalent experience preferred.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in plant operations and/or maintenance preferred.
• Completion of formal steam plant operations training, licensure, or certification preferred.
• Five (5) years of experience with a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) preferred.

Working Conditions

• Work in a normal plant and outdoor environment including heights, high/low ambient temperatures, and high humidity.
• Operate a motor vehicle; valid state driver’s license required.
• Possible extended or non-standard work hours during critical issue resolution.
• Possible travel to corporate locations and other company plants.
• Required use of personal protective equipment (PPE) including respirators, safety glasses, hard hats, hearing protection, fall protection, and appropriate footwear.
• Work around rotating and energized equipment, hazardous materials, and chemicals.
• Operate and work with personal computers and plant monitoring systems.