Utility Plant Operator 2 - Polk Center

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Polk (PA); On-site; USD 44,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania seeks a Utility Plant Operator 2 at Polk Center to lead the central steam plant and supervise shift staff. You will ensure reliable steam production, safe working conditions, and accurate monitoring of equipment.

Responsibilities include directing firing procedures, adjusting systems for efficiency, testing water chemistry, and responding to emergencies. The role supports ongoing operations at Polk Center.

Qualifications

• One year of experience as a Utility Plant Operator 1 or equivalent.
• One year of semi-skilled work in operation, maintenance, or repair of utility plant systems and related equipment.
• An equivalent combination of experience and training including six months of semi-skilled work.

Responsibilities

• Lead firing procedures for coal and natural gas boilers and direct plant staff actions.
• Adjust pumps, boilers, and compressors to maintain efficiency.
• Monitor gauges and meters to maintain temperatures, pressures, and water levels.
• Test boiler water and apply chemicals to keep control limits.
• Respond to emergencies and notify staff when needed.
• Operate ash removal systems and assist with cleaning for safety.

Skills

Lead Coordination

Operational Adjustment

System Monitoring

Water Testing

Emergency Response

Ash Handling

Job description

Salary

$44,273.00 - $66,055.00 Annually

Location

Venango County, PA

Job Type

Civil Service Permanent Full-Time

Job Number

CS-2026-59299-97120

Department

Department of Human Services

Division

HS Polk Ctr

Opening Date

09/25/2026

Closing Date

10/9/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Job Code

97120

Position Number

00058525

Union

AFSCME

Bargaining Unit

J1

Pay Group

ST04

Bureau / Division Code

00210976

Bureau / Division

Polk Center

Worksite Address

1 Lakewood Circle North

City

Polk, Pennsylvania

Zip Code

16342

Contact Name

HHS Intake

Contact Email

[e-mail]

THE POSITION

Are you ready to take the lead in keeping essential systems running smoothly? As a Utility Plant Operator 2 with the Polk Center, you will guide plant operations that support the entire facility. This position is part of the Polk Center stay-behind maintenance team and remains operational since the facility closure. Your leadership and technical skill will help maintain dependable steam production and support secure working conditions. Take your abilities to the next level in a role that matters-apply today!.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This position oversees the operation of the central steam generating plant and serves as the lead worker for staff on shift. The role ensures reliable steam production, safe working conditions, and accurate monitoring of plant equipment. As a Utility Plant Operator 2, you will perform the following duties:

• Lead Coordination: Guide firing procedures for coal and natural gas boilers and direct daily actions of plant staff
• Operational Adjustment: Make corrections to pumps, boilers, compressors, and related systems to maintain plant efficiency
• System Monitoring: Observe gauges and meters and adjust equipment to maintain required temperatures, pressures, and water levels
• Water Testing: Test boiler water and apply chemicals as needed to maintain required control limits
• Emergency Response: Respond to facility emergencies, record unusual incidents, and notify appropriate staff when needed
• Ash Handling: Operate ash removal systems and assist staff with cleaning tasks to maintain a safe work area

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment, 40 hours per week
• Work Hours: You will be required to work one of the following shifts: 6:30 AM to 2:30 PM; 2:30 PM to 10:30 PM; 10:30 PM to 6:30 AM. The work schedule includes weekends, holidays, rotating days off, and variable shifts. This may change based on operational needs.
• Shift differential pay is available.
• Overtime and travel as operationally necessary
• Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• One year of experience as a Utility Plant Operator 1 (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); 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.

Other Requirements:

• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements:

• A conditional offer of employment will require a medical examination.
• This position falls under the provisions of the Older Adult Protective Services Act.
  • Under the Act, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports, including but not limited to, PA State Police and FBI clearance.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. *7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

EXAMINATION INFORMATION

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.