Utility Plant Operator 1 or 2 (2 Positions Available)

Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania - Bloomsburg; Northern (KY); On-site; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Tuition benefits

Paid time off

Dental and vision benefits

Life insurance

Retirement plans

Job summary

Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania is seeking two Utility Plant Operators (1 or 2) at Mansfield campus. The roles involve operating boilers, maintaining steam pressure, and supporting plant operations on a rotating schedule.

Strong attention to safety and ability to follow procedures is required. Successful candidates will have password requirements including a state driver’s license, and ability to perform physical tasks as listed in the essential functions.

Qualifications

• Six months of experience as Utility Plant Helper or six months of unskilled work in operation, maintenance, or repair of utility plant systems.

Responsibilities

• Operate boilers and related equipment to maintain steam pressure and water levels.
• Keep records of steam production and fuel consumption; monitor systems for safety and efficiency.
• Perform preventive maintenance and minor repairs; assist skilled workers as needed.

Skills

Boiler operation

Safety procedures

Written communication

Oral communication

Teamwork

Job description

Utility Plant Operator 1 or 2 (2 Positions Available)

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

• For full consideration, applications must be received by June 14, 2026.
• Finalists for this position must communicate well and successfully complete an interview process.
• Completing this search is contingent upon available funding.

Posting Number

Posting Number S373

Classification Title

Classification Title Utility Plant Operator 1 or 2 (2 Positions Available)

Working Title

Working Title Utility Plant Operator 1 or 2 (2 Positions Available)

Department

Department Tech Trades - MA

Home Campus

Home Campus Mansfield

City

City Mansfield

State

State Pennsylvania

Zip Code 16933

Bargaining Unit

Bargaining Unit AFSCME - Agreement

Work Location

Work Location Home Campus

Position Type

Position Type Staff

Temporary/ Permanent

Temporary/ Permanent Permanent

Full-time/ Part-time

Full-time/ Part-time Full-Time

If Part-time, specify percentage (Examples: 0.75; 0.50; 0.25)

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 and prescription drug benefits.
• Tuition benefits for employees and dependents.
• Paid time off.
• Employer-paid dental and vision benefits.
• Employer-paid life insurance.
• Voluntary insurances and additional retirement programs.

To be eligible for most benefits, you must be a permanent, full-time employee (including temporary, full-time faculty with at least an academic year contract) or a permanent, part-time employee (including temporary, part-time faculty with at least an academic year contract) who is scheduled to work every pay period for at least 50% of full-time hours.

Start Time

Start Time Varies

End Time

End Time Varies

Hours Per Week 40 hours per week (only for select POA, SPFPA, AFSCME and OPEIU positions)

Days Worked (Check all that apply)

Days Worked (Check all that apply) Sun, Mon, Tues, Sat, Thurs

Salary UPO1-$18.83/per hour, UPO2-$21.22/per hour, in accordance with the AFSCME CBA

Anticipated Start Date

ASAP

Anticipated End Date

N/A

Position Purpose

The home campus for these positions is Mansfield.

The work schedule for this position is:

• Monday 16:00-24:00
• Tuesday 16:00-24:00
• Thursday 0:00-08:00
• Friday Off
• Saturday 08:00-16:00
• Sunday 08:00-16:00

Utility Plant Operator 1:

This is semi-skilled work in the operation of boilers and related equipment at a state operated facility. This position is considered an essential personnel position. An employee in this job operates boilers and maintains proper steam pressure and water levels in a generating plant, or assists in the operation of electric generation equipment. Work involves keeping records of steam production and fuel consumption; making minor adjustments and repairs to boilers and equipment; monitoring boiler plant systems and reporting potential problems; and operating small steam engines of low horsepower used to drive fans and related equipment in a boiler plant. Work may involve functioning as a lead worker for Laborers or Utility Plant Helpers in the performance of unskilled manual tasks in a boiler plant. An employee in this job may receive direction from a Utility Plant Operator 2 and is supervised by a Utility Plant Supervisor or other technical supervisor who reviews work performance for compliance with instructions, procedures, and safe operations.

• Lubricates pumps and checks water levels and steam pressure to assure safe and constant steam.
• Regenerates water softener and adds chemicals to water as directed.
• Fires boilers, removes ashes, blows down boilers, cleans flues, and lubricates equipment according to prescribed schedule.
• Reads meters, cleans equipment, and performs preventive maintenance according to prescribed procedures.
• Assists a skilled worker in the maintenance and repair of plant equipment.
• Cleans boilers and generating rooms.
• Assist in weld shop as needed.
• Operates steam or electric motor driven fans, pumps, and other related equipment.
• Distributes and interprets work assignments, provides assistance, conducts on-the job training, and reviews work for adherence to standards for Utility Plant Helpers and Laborers.
• Performs related work as required.

Utility Plant Operator 2:

• Operates, maintains, and repairs steam or steam/electric generating boilers and auxiliary equipment in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Distributes and interprets work assignments, provides assistance, demonstrates proper work methods, and reviews work of lower-level utility plant staff for adherence to standards.
• Reads gauges and meters and other indicators used to monitor boiler plant systems and takes needed action to prevent potential problems.
• Makes adjustments and repairs to boilers, pumps, and auxiliary equipment.
• Packs pumps, valves, and fittings.
• Tests water for softness and balance and adds chemicals.Keeps records of steam and electricity produced and fuel consumed on an assigned shift.
• Communicates critical operating information to utility plant staff on the following shift.
• Performs preventive maintenance and cleans the utility plant equipment and areas in accordance with procedures.
• Conducts safety tests and verifies operation of safety devices.
• Recommends changes in utility plant operating procedures to increase operating efficiency.
• Operates steam or electric motor driven fans, pumps, and other related equipment.
• Assist in the weld shop as needed.
• Performs related work as required.

This position is considered an essential personnel position.

Decision Making

N/A

Fiscal Responsibility

N/A

Supervisory Responsibility

N/A

Minimum Requirements Profile

Utility Plant Operator 1 Minimum Requirements:

Six months of experience as a Utility Plant Helper; OR Six months of unskilled work experience assisting in the operation, maintenance, or repair of industrial, commercial, or institutional utility plant systems and related equipment, electronic equipment, electrical systems, heavy machinery, motors, engines, drives or hydraulic systems; OR An equivalent combination of experience and training.

Utility Plant Operator 2 Minimum Requirements:

One year as a Utility Plant Operator 1; OR One year of semi-skilled work experience in the operation, maintenance, or repair of industrial, commercial, or institutional utility plant systems and related equipment; OR An equivalent combination of experience and training that includes six months of semi-skilled work experience in the operation, maintenance, or repair of industrial, commercial, or institutional utility plant systems and related equipment.

A valid driver’s license is required.

Necessary Special Requirement: Must be physically able to wear a full-face respirator for certain duties. Determination of ability to meet this requirement is determined by an approved occupational physician

Preferred Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Utility Plant Operator 1 and 2:

• Knowledge of the operation, maintenance, and repair of boiler plant systems and related equipment.
• Knowledge of boiler plant occupational hazards and safety procedures.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Essential Functions

1. Sitting – 30%; walking, – 40%; standing – 30%

2. Working indoors – 95% and Outdoors (for errands) – 5%

3. Frequent lifting of objects weighing less than 5 pounds

4. Occasional lifting of objects weighing 75 pounds

5. Reaching for objects at, above and below shoulder

6. Occasionally twisting at waist, and stretching to reach objects

7. Basic math skills and reading skills including understanding written documents

8. Writing skills in preparing and organizing documents

9. Sensory skills, i.e. visual, hearing, and speaking

Open Date mm-dd-yyyy 05/04/2026

Open Until Filled No

Offers of employment are conditional, pending successful completion of the background clearances mandated by Act 153 of 2014 and Board of Governors Policy 2014-01-A: Protection of Minors. In order to qualify for a provisional appointment, the Applicant Acknowledgement Consent Form, Provisional Hire Form, Pennsylvania State Police and Justifacts portion of the clearance process must be successfully completed prior to your start date. The remaining PA Child Abuse History Clearance and FBI Clearance must be successfully completed and returned as soon as possible within the first 90 days of employment.

Diversity Statement

At Commonwealth University we recognize our responsibility to continuously support a living, learning, and working environment that values the diverse contributions from all members of our campus community. Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion enriches our campus community and is instrumental to our institutional success. Commonwealth University strives to cultivate a campus climate that allows all members to embrace diversity, equity and inclusion as we achieve success both in and out of the classroom, in our work responsibilities, and in our professional lives beyond Commonwealth University. We uphold our commitment to DEI by:

• Actively supporting and promoting the intellectual and personal growth of our students, inside and outside of the classroom.
• Providing workshops, trainings, programs designed to broaden the knowledge and understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion within our campus community.
• Ensuring that all learning and living environments throughout our campus are welcoming and capable of serving all individuals.

Title IX/Clery

The University prohibits any form of discrimination or harassment on the basis of sex, race, color, age, religion, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, marital or family status, medical condition, genetic information, veteran status, or disability in any decision regarding admissions, employment, or participation in a University program or activity in accordance with the letter and spirit of federal, state, and local non-discrimination and equal opportunity laws, such as Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act and ADA Amendments Act, the Equal Pay Act, and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act.

The University also complies with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crimes Statistics Act, as amended by the Violence Against Women Act ( VAWA ). Title IX prohibits retaliation for asserting or otherwise participating in claims of sex discrimination. VAWA imposes additional duties on universities and colleges to investigate and respond to reports of sexual assault, stalking, and dating or domestic violence, and to publish policies and procedures related to the way these reports are handled. The University has designated the Title IX Coordinator (Jennifer Raup, Elwell Hall, ORL , 570-389-4808, [e-mail] or [e-mail] ), to coordinate the University’s compliance with Title IX and VAWA and to respond to reports of violations. The University has directed the Police Department to coordinate the University’s compliance with the VAWA -related Clery reporting requirements. For information on the University’s crime statistics, which is available in a publication called "Annual Security Report", please contact Commonwealth University – Bloomsburg Police at 570-389-2211, Commonwealth University – Mansfield Police at 570-662-4900, or Commonwealth University – Lock Haven Police at 570-484-2278 or by accessing the following website: https://www.commonwealthu.edu/offices-directory/university-police/annual-security-report . Additionally, inquiries concerning Title IX and its implementing regulation can be made to the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights, Region III , The Wanamaker Building, 100 Penn Square East – Suite 505, Philadelphia, PA 19107; Phone: [phone]; Fax: [phone].

About Commonwealth University of PA

The Power of Three Bloomsburg , Lock Haven and Mansfield universities have joined forces to boldly transform higher education in our region and beyond. While we are uniting as Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania, you can expect a college experience that is anything but common.

We’re Honoring our History by preserving the founding principles of each campus and continuing our vibrant on-campus student experience, serving as pillars of our communities, supporting students and our neighbors alike.

We’re Investing in Today by answering the greatest challenges facing higher education: accessibility, cost, quality, and relevance through the combined strength of our storied institutions.

We’re Building a Powerful Tomorrow by boldly changing the trajectory of public education to position ourselves for growth, increased access, and to meet economic and workforce development needs in our region, across Pennsylvania and beyond.

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Are you a current employee of the Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania (Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, Mansfield)?
  • Yes
  • No
• * I am a current AFSCME employee at the Mansfield campus desiring to transfer to another AFSCME position in the same, equivalent or lower level classification per Article 29, Seniority, Section 10.
  • Yes
  • No
• * How many years of experience do you have working in this type of position?
  • Less than 6 months
  • 6 months - 1 year
  • 1-2 years
  • 2-4 years
  • More than 4 years
• * Do you have a valid Pennsylvania Driver's license
  • Yes
  • No
• * Can you perform the essential duties of this position with or without accommodations?
  • Yes
  • No