Energy Plant Operator

Sub Department:
Facilities Management

Michigan Technological University is an R1 technological research university founded in 1885 in Houghton. Our rural campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's scenic Upper Peninsula and is home to nearly 7,500 students from more than 60 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, Michigan’s flagship technological university offers more than 185 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Research focus areas include defense, health, energy, automotive, environment, and aerospace.

The area’s waters, forests, and snowfall support year-round recreation, including skiing, snowboarding, hiking, biking, and paddling. The University is an integral part of the region, supported by a friendly and welcoming community that takes pride in being a true college town. We embrace our size, climate, sense of adventure, and originality.

Michigan Technological University is seeking a Central Energy Plant Operator for a Full time, 24/7 shift rotation. They will supervise the complete shift operation of the Central Energy Plant, Heating Ventilating, Air Conditioning (HVAC) Central Control System, Steam Distribution System, Campus Generators, CHP Backup Generator, and Fuel Storage Facility. Assist in the planning, scheduling, operation, and maintenance of the Central Energy Plant.

• Is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the steam plant, electric generating plant, fuel storage facility, and steam distribution system. Duties include operating the plant independently without immediate assistance.
• Is responsible for monitoring, controlling, and scheduling of HVAC equipment in campus buildings through the HVAC Central Control Systems. Duties include receiving short-term and long-term schedule requests and operating the HVAC control systems accordingly. Monitoring alarms and notifying facilities maintenance staff of needed corrections.
• Is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the boiler water treatment system, including water testing, chemical inventory, adjustments, interactions with the water treatment chemical suppliers, coordinating with service engineers, and reporting via electronic documentation.
• Is responsible for natural gas nominations and balancing; fuel oil deliveries and inventory; monitoring and reacting to the real-time MISO electrical energy market; and reacting to natural gas operational flow orders. Maintains year-round access to the fuel tank farm, necessary valves, and spill containment equipment. Ensure that rainwater is removed from the spill containment basin promptly after rain events.
• Maintains plant records; assists in the development and implementation of operating, maintenance, and emergency procedures. Strives to convert and maintain all records electronically in a system accessible to all users. Cooperate with all personnel to periodically validate records as appropriate.
• Is assigned as the lead operator in one or more of the following assigned areas: generator maintenance, steam plant maintenance, water treatment, HVAC central controls, safety compliance, monthly reports, planned maintenance, or procedure development.
• Performs routine inspections and preventative maintenance on plant equipment. This includes primary ownership of the entire facility's housekeeping, including cleaning the operational area, storing tools and materials, properly filing records, storing personal items in lockers, painting, and labeling all assets.
• Assists in boiler inspections and annual steam plant maintenance. This includes writing electronic work orders for repairs, materials, and preventive activities.
• Contributes to a safe working environment by: following University safe work procedures, wearing assigned PPE, actively participating in safety training, and developing safe work procedures. Completes all assigned safety training on schedule and attends assigned meetings and classes. Assists in correcting unsafe conditions. Use of the LOTO lockbox system for all equipment.
• Commits to learning about continuous improvement…