Utility Station Operator II

The University of Texas at El Paso; El Paso (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental & Vision

Retirement programs

Paid vacation & sick leave

Employee discounts & perks

Job summary

The University of Texas at El Paso is seeking a full-time Energy Plants Operator to join Facilities Operations on site in El Paso, TX. The role maintains and repairs critical utility equipment and monitors BAS/EMS to ensure safe, efficient campus operations.

Responsibilities include preventive maintenance on boilers, chillers, pumps, and valves; troubleshooting through BAS; and coordinating with supervisors.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or equivalent from two-year college/technical school.
• Three years of experience related to duties; or equivalent education/experience.
• Type III EPA Universal certification is required.
• A valid driver’s license is required.
• Preferred: Bachelor’s degree in Applied or Basic Science for Engineering.

Responsibilities

• Operate, maintain, and repair stationary engines and mechanical equipment to provide utilities for buildings and energy plants.
• Monitor building automation, EMS, and other systems; ensure energy efficiency and proper operation.
• Perform scheduled preventive maintenance on chillers, boilers, pumps, and related equipment.
• Inspect equipment and perform lubrication, adjustments, and part replacements as needed.
• Handle on-call duties, rotate shifts, and communicate with internal/external customers.

Skills

Microsoft Office

Education

Associate’s Degree or equivalent

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Tools

EPA Universal certification

Job description

Position Information

Hiring Department: Facilities Operations

Reports To: Utility Operations Supervisor

Job Location: El Paso, Texas (On Site)

Posting End Date: Open until filled. This posting may close once a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received.

Hours: 40 hours per week, standard Monday- Friday 7:00am- 3:30pm. F lexibility is required on evenings and weekends.

FLSA status: Non-exempt

Earliest Start Date: As soon as possible.

Salary: Commensurate with experience.

Required Application Materials

• Resume

Position Summary

Operates, maintains, and repairs stationary engines and mechanical equipment such as: air compressors, generators, motors, turbines, fire tube boilers and centrifugal chillers to provide utilities such as light, heat, or power for buildings and both energy plants. Also monitors space conditions throughout campus such as temperature, humidity and ventilation from the building automation system, to ensure comfort and safe conditions for UTEP faculty and staff. It monitors and manages energy consumption and follows procedures (including performing maintenance) to ensure efficiency.

Campus and Energy Plants Operations: (45%)

Monitors the Siemens Building Automation Systems (BAS), Energy Management Systems (EMS), Power Monitoring Systems, and any future operational control system.

Responsible for executing energy efficient operational sequences based on pre-established Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to ensure equipment start up and operation is done at appropriate times to minimize impact to; Power Quality, Power Factor, Power Spikes, Running at Peak-Cost time periods.

Troubleshoot and diagnoses problems through the building automation system or pneumatic controls. Reads meters and gauges or automatic recording devices at specified intervals to verify operating conditions at the production plants and buildings. Records operation and maintenance actions taken during shift in operators energy data application.

Adjusts manual controls or overrides automatic controls to bring equipment into recommended or prescribed operating ranges, switches to backup equipment or systems, or shuts down equipment.

Visually inspects equipment at periodic intervals to detect malfunctions in need of repair, adjustment or lubrication and performs such tasks.

Preventive Maintenance (45%)

Performs scheduled preventative maintenance and inspections on all utility equipment distribution system. These include high production chillers, boilers, heat exchangers centrifugal pumps, cooling towers, water softeners, air handling units, air compressors, control valves, and manual valves.

Cuts, threads, and connects pipe to functional components and water or power system of premises; adjusts valves to regulate temperature of lubrication oil and flow of water through system; moves controls to regulate speed of fans and to adjust vents and ducts.

Provides logistics and installs required equipment for proper chemical treatment.

Inspects equipment to detect excessive noise and heat; maintains equipment by tightening fittings, repacking bearings, replacing packing glands, gaskets, valves, tubing, recorders, and gauges, and cleaning or replacing burners or other components; oils and lubricates equipment.

Other Duties (10%)

Assess and solves campus emergencies that arises on the Energy Plants and hydronic, system.

Fills work orders with time and comments for supervisor approval.

Housekeeping duties.

Communicates with internal and external customers.

Miscellaneous Requirements

Must be available on an “On Call” basis.

Overtime may be required.

Knowledge of all Microsoft Office software and able to learn and use institutional software systems.

Complies with all State and University policies.

Must be available for rotating shifts.

Other duties may be assigned.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Associate’s Degree or equivalent from two year College or technical School within area of assigned responsibility.
• Experience: Three years of experience, related to the statement of duties and Responsibilities; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Type III EPA Universal certification is required.
• A valid drivers license is required.
• Preferred Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Applied or Basic Science for Engineering.

Why Pick UTEP

The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP ) is a comprehensive public research university that is increasing access to excellent higher education. We advance discovery of public value and positively impact the health, culture, education, and economy of the community we serve.

UTEP is America’s leading Hispanic-serving university. Located at the westernmost tip of Texas, where three states and two countries converge along the Rio Grande, 84% of our 26,000 students are Hispanic, and half are the first in their families to go to college. UTEP offers 170 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs at the only open-access, top-tier research university in America.

This is an especially exciting time to join UTEP as it advances the goals of its 2030 Strategic Plan . Built around the institution’s core strengths—its location, its people, its supportive culture, and its community partnerships—the plan lays out a bold vision for the next decade, aimed at maximizing the University’s regional impact and national stature.

What UTEP Offers

Miner Perks and Benefits

• Benefit Package includes: Medical, Prescription, Life Insurance and Wellness platform
• Voluntary Benefits: Dental, Vision, Additional life insurance, UT Flex, Short and Long - term disability plans
• Retirement Programs
• Longevity Pay
• Paid Vacation & Sick Leave
• Paid Holidays
• Employee Discounts & Perks
• Employee Education Assistance program
• And much more! Visit our Benefits Summary Page for more information on our additional benefits.

Disclaimer: Eligibility for perks and benefits may vary based on part-time or full-time employment.

Additional Information

Note: To the extent that this position involves research, work, or access to critical infrastructure as referenced in Executive Order GA-48, being hired for and continuing to be employed in this position requires the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure.

The primary accountabilities are intended to describe the general content of and requirements of this position and are not intended to be an exhaustive statement of duties. Incumbents may perform all or some of the primary accountabilities listed. Specific tasks or responsibilities will be documented in the incumbents’ performance objectives as outlined by the incumbents’ immediate supervisor or manager. This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes the employer to obtain criminal history record information. A valid driver’s license issued by the State where the applicant resides and insurability as defined in UTS 157 may be required to perform the position's essential functions.

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is frequently required to talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. May be required to wear Personal Protective Equipment to include: Steel Toe or Non-slippery shoes, eye protection, ear protection, respirator mask, back belt, and hardhat.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts. The employee is frequently exposed to risk of electrical shock. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and humid conditions; high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; outside weather conditions; extreme cold; extreme heat; explosives; risk of radiation and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

In keeping with its access, excellence, and impact mission, The University of Texas at El Paso is committed to a learning and working environment that honors the talents, respects the differences, and nurtures the growth and development of all. We seek to attract faculty and staff who share our commitment.

The University of Texas at El Paso is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity in employment or the provision of services in accordance with state and federal law. Discrimination on the basis of sex includes an employee’s or prospective employee’s right to be free from sexual harassment under Title IX of the Higher Education Amendments of 1972. Inquiries—including the filing of a Formal Complaint or reporting an incident—about the application of Title IX may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, who can be reached by phone at [phone], by email at [e-mail] , or by mail at 500 W. University Ave., El Paso, TX, Kelly Hall, Room 223C.

For accommodation information for employees and applicants with disabilities, please contact UTEP's Equal Opportunity Office at [e-mail] .