Utility Plant Operator 1 | Multiple Positions

Slippery Rock University; Slippery Rock (Butler County); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Retirement plans

Tuition benefits

Paid time off

Life insurance

Job summary

Slippery Rock University is seeking a Utility Plant Operator 1 to support campus boiler operations and related plant equipment on a three-shift cycle, including night hours. You will maintain boiler pressures, temperatures, and fuel levels, and log readings to ensure safe, efficient plant performance.

Experience with boiler rooms is preferred; a minimum of one year as a Utility Plant Helper or similar boiler-plant experience is required.

Qualifications

• Minimum: One year as a Utility Plant Helper or one year of boiler plant experience, or equivalent combination of experience and training.

Responsibilities

• Maintain boiler house pressures, temperatures, and water levels; monitor all plant equipment and log readings hourly and every 15 minutes for bag house temperatures.
• Adjust boilers, bag house, economizers, supply tanks, dampers and fans; perform visual plant inspections and document results.
• Keep fuel levels (coal and natural gas) at proper levels; maintain plant areas and equipment cleanliness.
• Blow down boilers and flues; manage chemical feeds and DA tanks; monitor steam distribution system.
• Maintain ash removal systems and ensure proper operation of ash handling equipment.
• Log data via computers, record pressures, temperatures, and operational readings; take readings for coal deliveries and routine maintenance.
• Perform housekeeping tasks on shifts; prepare paperwork for the next day and maintain control room cleanliness.
• Support maintenance tasks: repacking pumps/valves, boiler inspections, repairs, and basic plumbing/electrical work.

Job description

Utility Plant Operator 1 | Multiple Positions

Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions you should review before applying for the opening.

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Please provide three professional references in the application form. Recommended candidate will be required to complete criminal background checks, including Act 34 (State Police); Act 151 (Child Abuse); and Federal Criminal (FBI) clearance prior to appointment. Full consideration given to resumes received by 9/28/2026
Benefits:
The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education provides a comprehensive package of employer benefits to eligible employees and their enrolled dependent(s), which include*:
Medical, prescription drug, and supplemental benefits.
Generous retirement plans, two options:
Alternative Retirement Plan (ARP)
State Employees’ Retirement System (SERS)
Tuition benefits for employees and dependents.
Paid time off (holidays, sick leave, annual leave, personal leave).
Employer-paid life insurance.
Voluntary insurances and additional retirement programs.
*Specific benefits may vary based upon university, employee group and/or collective bargaining unit.

Posting Number

Posting Number N01237

Classification Title

Classification Title Utility Plant Operator 1

Working Title

Working Title Utility Plant Operator 1 | Multiple Positions

Employee Group

Employee Group Staff

Bargaining Unit

Bargaining Unit AFSCME

Location

Location Main Campus

Department

Department Heating Plant

Pay Rate

Employment Type

Employment Type Regular FT

Work Schedule

Position Summary Information

Position Summary

Operator I assist’s the Operator II in the following. And may have opportunity to fill in as Operator II on occasion.

Maintaining all the plants proper pressures, Temperatures, and water levels in the boilers, bag house, economizers. Supply tanks and all other plant equipment.

Making any necessary adjustments to boilers, bag house, economizers, supply tanks, all fans/dampers and all other plant equipment, while doing entire visual inspection of boiler house and logging accordingly.

Maintaining all proper fuel levels, coal and natural gas, maintain entire working areas cleaning of floors, stokers, stoker hopper areas etc.

Properly blowing down of boilers, blowing flues on boilers and economizers, making proper adjustments and additions to chemical feed pumps and tanks that supply boilers, DA tank, and steam distribution system.

Maintain proper ash removal of boilers and bag house making any adjustments necessary to ash removal system.

Maintaining all plant data and adjustments Via computers, taking all readings of pressures, temperatures, and levels every hour, bag house temperatures every 15 min. In putting boiler performance, fuels used Etc.

SHIFT 12 AM TO 8 AM

In addition to above duties perform the following:

Set up all paper work for the coming day, Cleaning of restrooms, mopping of floors in control and break room, clean entire control room at least once a week.

SHIFT 8 AM TO 4 PM

In addition to the above duties, perform the following:

Testing of all plant water and make chemical adjustments and additions factors for all shifts and log accordingly, Receive and sample coal trucks place in proper bunker and log accordingly, load ash trucks, add salt to plant brine tanks, Lubricate all stokers and change all pumps, compressors, make sure of proper operation and log accordingly. Take a visible emission reading of stacks and log accordingly.

SHIFT 4 PM TO 12 PM

In addition to the above duties, perform the following:

Take daily outside temperature readings and determine degree day, Establish peak steam demand and log accordingly, hose basement, clean steps to basement and coal room at least once a week, Sum up all daily paper work for the day. Take a visible emission reading of stacks and log accordingly.

MAINTENANCE SHIFT

Help repack pumps and valves. Help clean smoke stack and breaching. Help get boilers ready for yearly inspections. Help repair the equipment of the plant, water pumps, fans, turbines, compressors, etc. Clean equipment. Plumbing and electrical work. Any other maintenance or improvements needed in plant. Help put boilers on and off the line when needed. Clean boilers, fire box, and water drums. Fix steam leaks. Clean coal room. Change boiler water level glass on water columns with new rubber seals.

Minimum Qualifications

One year as a Utility Plant Helper or one year of comparable boiler plant experience or any equivalent combination of experience and training. A successful campus interview and passing a criminal background check required.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience working with diverse populations preferred.

Posting Date

Posting Date 09/16/2026

Closing Date

Open Until Filled No

Notice of Non-Discrimination

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, age/or veteran status in its programs or activities in accordance with Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable statutes and University policies.
The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:
Exec. Director Campus Climate, Culture, and Compliance
205 Old Main Building
104 Maltby Avenue
Slippery Rock University
Slippery Rock, PA 16057
724.738.2070

Respect for Individuals in the Community

Slippery Rock University provides an environment that respects, encourages, and promotes the talents and contributions of all. Slippery Rock University values a community with a shared sense of purpose, where people demonstrate mutual respect and appreciation. Slippery Rock University values diversity that honors and includes all persons regardless of age, creed, disability, ethnic heritage, gender, gender identity, race, religion, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status in academic and extracurricular endeavor, in the working environment, and in the daily life of the university community.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please provide three professional references in the application form. Recommended candidate will be required to complete criminal background checks, including Act 34 (State Police); Act 151 (Child Abuse); and Federal Criminal (FBI) clearance prior to appointment. Full consideration given to resumes received by 9/28/2026
Benefits:
The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education provides a comprehensive package of employer benefits to eligible employees and their enrolled dependent(s), which include*:
Medical, prescription drug, and supplemental benefits.
Generous retirement plans, two options:
Alternative Retirement Plan (ARP)
State Employees’ Retirement System (SERS)
Tuition benefits for employees and dependents.
Paid time off (holidays, sick leave, annual leave, personal leave).
Employer-paid life insurance.
Voluntary insurances and additional retirement programs.
*Specific benefits may vary based upon university, employee group and/or collective bargaining unit.

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Do you have one year experience as a Utility Plant Helper or one year of experience in cleaning/assisting in the operation, maintenance, and repair of industrial, commercial, or institutional boiler plant systems and related equipment or any equivalent combination of experience and training?
  • Yes
  • No