Power Plant Operator

Position Overview

The Power Plant Operator is responsible for the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of the College’s central heating and power plant during an assigned shift. This position plays a vital role in maintaining essential campus utilities by operating, monitoring, and repairing a wide range of power‑generation, heating, and refrigeration equipment. The operator oversees the performance of high‑pressure steam boilers, turbines, generators, pumps, compressors, motors, and related systems, ensuring continuous service and regulatory compliance.

In addition to performing hands‑on maintenance and troubleshooting, the Power Plant Operator supervises plant personnel, responds to emergency situations, assists with equipment installations and major repairs, and monitors system performance through routine inspections and operational record‑keeping. This position is ideal for a skilled and safety‑conscious professional who enjoys working with complex mechanical systems and contributing to the reliable operation of critical campus infrastructure.

• Operation, maintenance and repair of a large electric power generating and heating plant.
• Efficient operation, maintenance and repair of equipment such as stationary engines, turbines, generators, switchboards, transformers, motors and controls, high‑pressure steam boilers, blowers, pumps, compressors, ventilators and other heating, generating and refrigerating equipment.
• Supervision and participation in emergency repairs.
• Assistance in new installations and major repairs.
• Reading and recording findings of instruments and gauges; keeping records of fuel and water consumed and making reports based on this data.
• Supervision of firemen and other power plant employees.
• Inspection of equipment and noting its condition and performance.
• Related work as required.

Graduation from a senior high school.

Responsible capacity in the firing and maintenance of steam boilers and other power plant equipment.

Physically qualified to perform assigned duties as evidenced by a physician’s certificate.

Working knowledge of the operation, maintenance and repair of high‑pressure steam boilers, stationary engines, turbines, generators, switchboards, transformers, motors and controls, blowers, pumps, compressors, ventilators, and other refrigerating, heating and generating equipment; working knowledge of safety precautions and practices necessary to work effectively around high‑pressure steam boilers and moving equipment; ability to supervise and direct the work of employees in such a plant;

related capacities and abilities.

No specific preferred qualifications are listed.

• Full Time – 40 hours per week.
• Thursday – Monday 2:00 PM‑11:00 PM.
• Tuesday & Wednesday Off.

• Health and Wellness – Medical, Dental & Vision.
• Wellness Incentives and Rewards.
• Paid time Off – Vacation, Sick & Holiday.
• Disability and Insurance Benefits.
• Education Benefits – Tuition waivers for RIC, CCRI & URI.

As an affirmative action/equal opportunity institution that values and is committed to inclusion and expanding the diversity of its faculty and staff, the College invites members of protected classes, including minorities and persons with disabilities, to identify themselves as such at the time of application.

Rhode Island College
600 Mount Pleasant Avenue
Providence, RI 02908

www.ric.edu