Utility Plant Operator I

ENGIE Group; Iowa City (IA); On-site; USD 33,000 - 51,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Company match 401(k) retirement plan

Generous paid time off and holidays

Job summary

ENGIE North America is seeking a Utility Plant Operator I in Iowa City to safely operate and monitor power generation equipment serving the University Hospital. You will start with shift handoffs, perform rounds, and document activity in Maximo and MS tools.

The role involves rotating days and nights every two weeks, including holidays and weekends. You will work with maintenance and leadership teams to ensure uptime, safety compliance, and operational excellence in a high-reliability campus

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED is required.
• Experience with industrial, process, shipboard, or power plant equipment preferred.
• Ability to read gauges and interpret procedures for real-time decisions.
• Familiarity with CMMS systems (e.g., Maximo) or similar tools.
• Ability to operate rotating and process equipment safely in continuous operations.

Responsibilities

• Operate auxiliary systems to ensure safe, continuous plant performance and monitor generators.
• Perform hourly rounds to assess equipment condition and identify abnormalities.
• Log daily operations and communicate status across shifts using Maximo and Microsoft tools.
• Support preventive maintenance and assist maintenance teams to improve reliability.
• Conduct boiler water testing and treatment.
• Provide cross-functional support including fuel unloading operations as needed.

Skills

Reading gauges

CMMS familiarity

Microsoft Office usage

Education

High School diploma or GED

Tools

Maximo

CMMS

Microsoft Office

Job description

Permanent

Full - Time

What You Can Expect

As a Utility Plant Operator I, you will play a critical role in safely operating and monitoring power generation equipment that powers essential campus operations, including the University Hospital. Your day begins with a detailed shift handoff, followed by routine rounds to assess system performance, identify abnormalities, and ensure continuous, reliable plant operations. You will work closely with maintenance, operations, and leadership teams, using systems like Maximo and Microsoft tools to document activity and communicate operational status. This role offers hands‑on exposure to a variety of industrial equipment and systems in a dynamic, high-reliability environment. You will contribute directly to plant uptime, safety compliance, and operational excellence.

This position follows a rotating shift schedule, rotating between days and nights every two weeks. You will work seven scheduled days every fourteen days (Dupont rotating schedule), including nights, holidays, and weekends.

What You Will Do

• Operate auxiliary systems to ensure safe, continuous plant performance and monitor steam generators, natural gas-powered generators
• Perform hourly rounds to assess equipment condition, identify leaks or abnormalities, and take corrective action as needed
• Execute daily operational logging and communicate system status across shifts using Maximo and Microsoft tools
• Support preventive maintenance activities and assist maintenance teams to improve equipment reliability and plant efficiency
• Conduct boiler water testing and treatment to maintain system integrity and meet operational standards
• Provide cross-functional support, including maintenance assistance and fuel unloading operations as needed

What You’ll Bring

• High School diploma or GED required
• Exposure to industrial, process, shipboard, or power plant equipment such as boilers, pumps, compressors, fans, or conveyors preferred
• Exposure to mechanical, electrical, or power generation systems in industrial or military environments (e.g., Navy propulsion, Army power generation, Air Force utilities, Marine Corps engineering) preferred
• Ability to safely operate and monitor rotating and process equipment in a continuous operations setting
• Familiarity with performing equipment rounds, identifying operational issues, and documenting findings in CMMS systems (e.g., Maximo) or similar tools
• Ability to read and interpret gauges, instrumentation, and operational procedures to support real-time decision-making
• Ability to communicate effectively using Microsoft Office tools (Word, Excel, Outlook) and plant systems (CMMS, Maximo)
• This role requires attendance at a worksiteon a daily/weekly/rotation basis and with availability for vacation coverage, emergency relief, and overtime as required by the plant management team
• Must possess a valid U.S. driver’s license/clean driving record; operation of company vehicles is required
• Must be willing and able to comply with all ENGIE ethics and safety policies
• Ability to maintain strong attendance and respond to emergency notifications via personal telephone

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements/Capabilities

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time
• The Power Plant can be an extremely hot environment
• Areas of the Power Plant can be dusty
• The Power Plant noise level is usually moderate to high
• Must be able to hear alarms, detect changes in equipment sounds, and communicate via radio
• Ability to stand, walk, climb (ladders, stairs, catwalks), and perform physical tasks including lifting, pushing, and pulling
• Ability to perform repetitive motions and work in confined spaces as required
• Vision corrected to at least 20/40 to read gauges, instruments, and manuals accurately
• Ability to wear required PPE, including respirators, fall protection, hardhat, safety glasses, and safety footwear

Compensation

Hourly Range: $24.37 - $37.32 USD hourly

This represents the average expected pay range for a qualified candidate.

ENGIE complies with all federal, state, and local minimum wage laws. Actual salary offered may vary depending on geography, experience, education, internal pay alignment, or other bona fide factors.

In addition to base pay, this position is eligible for a competitive bonus / incentive plan.

Your Talent Acquisition Partner can share more specific information regarding the benefits or the salary for the position based on the work location.

At ENGIE, we take your well-being seriously. Our comprehensive benefits package includes options for medical, dental, vision, life insurance, employer‑paid short‑term and long‑term disability insurance, ESPP, generous paid time off including wellness days, holidays and leave programs. We also help you plan for retirement by offering a 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with a company match. But that’s not all – we’re dedicated to the health and happiness of your entire family, offering supplemental benefits for full time employees that enhance emotional and physical well‑being through all stages of life from family forming to caregiver benefits. Explore our benefits package to see how we can support you. Learn more .

Why ENGIE?

ENGIE North America isn’t just participating in the Zero-Carbon Transition, we’re leading it! Join us as we develop energy that is renewable, efficient, and accessible to everyone.

At ENGIE, every talent has a role to play in the adventure of the century. Make a difference and enjoy a fulfilling professional experience. Take on exciting challenges and build a career path that reflects who you are.

Join us and be part of the adventure!

In 2020 The University of Iowa (UI) entered a 50-year, trailblazing partnership with the University of Iowa Energy Collaborative (UIEC), a joint venture between ENGIE, Meridiam, and Hannon Armstrong, to operate, maintain and enhance the university’s Utility System. As the founding member of this joint venture, ENGIE designs, builds, operates, and maintains the energy infrastructure delivering safe, reliable, cost-effective, and sustainable energy solutions in producing and distributing steam, electricity, chilled water, and domestic water to the main campus in Iowa City, Iowa and a nearby satellite campus.

ENGIE is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace, and we are firmly committed to creating an inclusive workplace for all employees. We are committed to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status.

If you need assistance with this application or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at [e-mail]. This email address is reserved for individuals with disabilities in need of assistance and is not a means of inquiry regarding positions or application status.

We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa for this role at any time.

The safety of our employees is our number one priority. All employees at ENGIE have both a duty and the authority to STOP WORK if unsafe acts are observed.

Business Unit: LEI RoW

Division: LEI RoW - Northam

Company Name: ENGIE North America

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