Utility Plant Operator

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Eugene (OR); On-site; USD 83,000 - 128,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Oregon is seeking a Utility Plant Operator to manage and operate the campus steam, chilled water and electrical distribution systems. The role includes dispatch duties, safety compliance, and coordination with control systems to ensure uninterrupted campus services.

The position requires experience with high‑pressure boilers, chillers, and turbine generators, plus strong knowledge of BAS and CMMS tools.

Qualifications

• Completed Boiler and Turbine Operator apprenticeship or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Knowledge of turbine generators, centrifugal absorption chillers, high‑pressure boilers, and related systems.

Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor utility systems (steam, chilled water, electricity) to ensure continuous distribution to the campus.
• Manage plant operations, including island‑mode configuration during power outages and coordination with control systems.
• Monitor BAS alarms and respond to notifications.
• Perform preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance on power plant and building equipment.
• Provide training, regulate access, and supervise activities in the utility distribution tunnel system.
• Collaborate with CPFM, campus stakeholders, and outside contractors/vendors as needed.

Skills

Steam plant operation

Chiller plant operation

HVAC systems

BAS monitoring

Safety compliance

Education

Boiler and Turbine Operator apprenticeship

Equivalent education/experience

Tools

FactoryTalk

Siemens

CMMS AiM

Milestone Cameras

PME

Job description

Utility Plant Operator - Job Description

Department: Campus Planning & Facilities Management - Utilities and Energy

Classification: Co-Generation Engineer

Appointment Type and Duration: Regular, Ongoing

Salary: $40.03 - $61.37 per hour

FTE: 1.0

Position Summary

This position serves as a Utilities and Energy campus-wide operator/dispatcher for the University of Oregon, acting as the point of contact for utility distribution issues. The operator will safely operate the UO steam plant (two high-pressure saturated steam boilers with a combined capacity of 125,000 lbs per hour) and a Combined Cycle Co-Generation plant (CTG/HRSG) capable of generating 7.5 MW (Gas Turbine) and 65,000 lbs of 600-psi steam; 3.5 MW (Steam Turbine). The role also operates the UO chilled water plant (five electric centrifugal chillers with a capacity of 7,500 tons of cooling, a 3 million gallon thermal storage tank, 18 cooling towers, pumps, and related equipment). Responsibilities include distribution of the 12,470 Volt electrical load to campus buildings and assisting with configuring the plant to Island Mode during power loss. The incumbent maintains access control, provides training, oversees operation and monitoring of work in the UO utility distribution tunnel system, monitors BAS alarms, and controls equipment in the steam plant, chiller plant, and building HVAC systems. Ongoing training is required to keep up with evolving automation technologies, and preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance on power plant and building equipment is expected.

Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor utility systems (steam, chilled water, electricity) to ensure continuous distribution to the campus.
• Manage plant operations, including island-mode configuration during power outages and coordination with control systems.
• Monitor building automation system (BAS) alarms and respond to notifications.
• Perform preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance on power plant and building equipment.
• Provide training, regulate access, and supervise activities in the utility distribution tunnel system.
• Collaborate with CPFM, campus stakeholders, and outside contractors/vendors as needed.

Work Schedule

This position works non-typical hours/shifts and is classified as Essential Personnel. During a six-month trial service period, employees will rotate through day, swing, and graveyard shifts, including weekends and some weekdays, to support training and operational needs.

• Day Shift: 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., weekdays
• Swing Shift: 3:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m., including weekends and three weekdays
• Graveyard Shift: 11:00 p.m. – 7:00 a.m., including weekends and three weekdays

Upon successful completion of the trial period, a long-term shift will be assigned based on operational needs and seniority within the SEIU Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Minimum Requirements

• Completed Boiler and Turbine Operator apprenticeship or an equivalent combination of education and experience, with knowledge of turbine generators, centrifugal absorption chillers, high-pressure boilers, and related systems (electrical, steam, refrigeration).
• Valid Oregon driver's license and acceptable driving record.

Professional Competencies

• Ability to advance the department and university mission; collaborate within a diverse team; problem-solve effectively.
• Proactive initiative, attention to detail, and a safety-conscious approach.
• Ability to maintain a respectful workplace and uphold high ethical standards.
• Strong customer service orientation and effective communication.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience operating high-pressure boilers (100+ PSI), industrial chillers (1000+ tons), steam turbines, and safely working around high-voltage equipment.
• Knowledge of gas turbines, heat-recovery boilers, and utility distribution systems (steam and chilled water).
• Working knowledge of maintenance and operation of boilers, chillers, air compressors, DA tanks, RO units, pumps, and valves.
• Experience with industrial/software systems such as FactoryTalk, Siemens, PME, Milestone Cameras, and CMMS platforms including AiM.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Teams, Outlook, and Zoom for documentation and reporting.

Benefits and Equal Opportunity

The University of Oregon is an equal-opportunity institution and complies with applicable laws and policies, including ADA. Reasonable accommodations are available in the application process. All offers of employment are contingent upon successful background checks. This is a classified SEIU Local 503 position. For more information about benefits, visit the university website.

To apply or for more information, refer to the official careers page and the posted job listing. This description retains the original language and scope of responsibilities and requirements without adding new facts.