Utility Plant Operator I (Boiler Plant Operator)

State of Colorado; Golden (CO); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

13 paid holidays

Vacation and sick leave starts first月

Set work schedule

Free access to Mines varsity events

Job summary

Colorado School of Mines in Golden, CO operates its central utility plant to provide steam, heating, and hot water for campus facilities. The Utility Plant Operator I role combines hands-on maintenance with boiler plant operations and supports critical campus operations.

The position emphasizes safe, reliable operation, documentation, and coordination with experienced staff. A background in boiler operations or related mechanical trades is preferred, with residency restricted to Colorado

Qualifications

• Four years of experience in boiler/utility plant operations or industrial maintenance, or an equivalent education+experience combination.
• Experience must be documented in Work History; resumes alone are not accepted.

Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor steam boilers and steam generators.
• Monitor temperatures, pressures, flows, and operational data.
• Maintain plant logs and shift documentation.
• Assist with startup, shutdown, and fuel changeover operations.
• Monitor boiler water treatment and chemical programs.
• Respond to equipment alarms and operational issues.
• Perform preventive and corrective maintenance on steam systems, pumps, valves, piping, and condensate systems.
• Respond to service calls and investigate leaks and mechanical issues.

Skills

Boiler operations

Utility plant operations

Industrial mechanical maintenance

Stationary engineering

Steam plant operations

Education

Education+Experience combination

Job description

Would you like to work in a beautiful small campus environment? Colorado School of Mines is located in Golden, Colorado at the gateway of the Rocky Mountains, 13 miles west of downtown Denver and 21 miles south of Boulder. For more information visit us at: www.mines.edu.

We offer a comprehensive portfolio of benefits to our classified workforce, including medical, dental, life, short and long-term disability plans, dependent tuition benefit, and retirement plans. Benefits begin the first of the month following your start date.

Other perks include

• 13 paid holidays per year
• Paid vacation and sick leave which starts accruing your first month!
• Set work schedule
• Free access to Mines varsity sporting events for you and 3 guests!

Join the team responsible for providing steam, heating, and domestic hot water to campus facilities.

As a Utility Plant Operator I, you will assist in operating and maintaining the university's central utility plant and steam distribution systems. This position combines hands‑on mechanical maintenance with boiler plant operations and is ideal for candidates with experience in utility plants, boiler operations, industrial maintenance, stationary engineering, pipefitting, HVAC, or related mechanical trades.

You will work alongside experienced plant operators to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient operation of boilers, steam generators, pumps, condensate systems, and associated equipment that support critical campus operations.

What You'll Do

Boiler & Utility Plant Operations

• Operate and monitor steam boilers and steam generators
• Monitor temperatures, pressures, flows, and operational data
• Maintain plant logs and shift documentation
• Assist with startup, shutdown, and fuel changeover operations
• Monitor boiler water treatment and chemical programs
• Respond to equipment alarms and operational issues

Mechanical Maintenance

• Perform preventive and corrective maintenance on:
  • Steam systems
  • Pumps
  • Valves
  • Piping systems
  • Pressure regulators
  • Condensate systems
  • Air compressors
• Troubleshoot equipment failures and identify repair needs
• Support maintenance projects and outage work

Campus Support

• Respond to service calls
• Investigate leaks and mechanical issues
• Test steam traps and safety devices
• Operate university vehicles to transport tools and equipment

Schedule

40 hours per week

• Wednesday: 4:00 PM to 12:00 AM
• Thursday-Friday: 2:00 PM to 12:00 AM
• Saturday: 12:00 PM to 12:00 AM

Why Work Here?

• Critical role supporting campus operations
• Variety of mechanical and operational work
• Opportunity to develop utility plant expertise
• Stable public‑sector employment
• Collaborative team environment
• Exposure to complex utility systems serving an entire campus

Residency Requirement

This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application.

Class Code & Classification Description

D6E1XX Utility Plant Operator I

Minimum Qualifications

Experience Only:

Four (4) years of experience in:

• Boiler plant operations; OR
• Utility plant operations; OR
• Industrial mechanical maintenance; OR
• Stationary engineering; OR
• Steam plant operations; OR
• A closely related field.
• Experience must be clearly documented in the "Work History" section of your application; "see resume" will not be accepted.

OR

Education and Experience:

A combination of related education, formalized apprenticeship program, and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned equal to four (4) years (Transcripts must be attached for educational credit).

Preferred Qualifications

• Boiler Operator Certificate
• Stationary Engineer License
• Experience operating steam boilers
• Experience with water chemistry programs
• Experience with BAS or plant control systems
• Experience maintaining pumps, steam systems, and condensate equipment
• Experience working in hospitals, universities, industrial plants, corrections facilities, power generation, manufacturing plants, or district energy systems

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Background check
• Pre-employment physical
• Pre-employment drug screen
• Motor Vehicle Record check

Appeal Rights

As an applicant who has been removed from consideration during the selection or comparative analysis process, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board and/or request a review by the State Personnel Director. A standard appeal form is available on the State Personnel Board website, https://spb.colorado.gov/forms-and-filing. If you appeal, your appeal must be submitted in writing on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative, and received at the following address within ten (10) days of your receipt of this notice: Colorado State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director, Attn: Appeals Processing, 1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver, CO 80203. Fax: [phone]. Phone: [phone]. Email address: [e-mail]. The ten-day deadline and these appeal procedures also apply to all charges of discrimination. Refer to Chapters 4 and 8 of the State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, 4 CCR 801, for information about the appeals process. The State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures are available at spb.colorado.gov.

Colorado School of Mines is committed to equal opportunity for all persons. Mines does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), ancestry, creed, marital status, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status or current military service. Further, Mines does not retaliate against community members for filing complaints regarding or implicating any of these protected statuses.

Mines’ commitment to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and equal access is reflected in the administration of its policies, procedures, programs and activities and in its efforts to achieve atalentedstudent body and workforce.

Through its policies, procedures and resources, Mines complies with federal law, Colorado state law, administrative regulations, executive orders and other legal requirements to prevent discrimination (including harassment or retaliation) within the Mines campus community and to address potential allegations of inequality or concerns for safety.

Are you looking for an inspiring, mission‑driven workplace where you can contribute to solving the world’s problems and educating the next generation of change makers? Are you an individual who values arich and vibrant diverse and inclusive community, where our different perspectives and experiences enrich the educational and work experience?

Look to Mines.