Power Plant Operator

About This Role

The Division of Facilities is actively seeking a skilled and dedicated Power Plant Operator to join the team. This critical role ensures the reliable operation of campus steam, chiller, and auxiliary systems through the proper control and maintenance of boilers, high-pressure steam plants, and associated equipment. You will monitor, adjust, and maintain complex mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems to support campus infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities:

• Operate and monitor high-pressure steam plants, boilers, and auxiliary systems to provide steam to campus systems.
• Manage water, oil, high-pressure gas, and high-voltage electrical systems, ensuring all equipment operates safely and efficiently.
• Inspect gauges, alarms, and charts, interpret changes, and adjust controls for steam volume, pressure, fuel supply, combustion air, and other variables.
• Maintain operational logs and perform routine powerhouse rounds to adjust equipment, complete housekeeping tasks, and handle minor repairs.
• Utilize schematics, blueprints, and monitoring systems to troubleshoot and repair plumbing, valves, piping, and associated systems.
• Perform repairs and upgrades to systems such as boilers, chillers, condensate piping, chemical feed systems, and cooling towers.
• Test and treat boiler and cooling tower water to ensure system efficiency and safety.
• Operate plant automation systems, including Allen Bradley systems, using computers and tablets for diagnostics, troubleshooting, and operation.
• Conduct quarterly assessments of the underground tunnel system to identify and resolve issues with steam, water, or chemical loss.

About Us

The Division of Facilities is an action-oriented service organization within the K-State family. We plan, budget, build, operate, maintain, clean, supply and transport. We are custodians, landscapers, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, mechanics, project managers, engineers, architects, accountants, and administrative professionals — all stewards and leaders of an inspiring campus shared by many.

We wholeheartedly embrace the K-State traditions of excellence, integrity and professionalism, and we are enthusiastic champions of K-State's visionary goal to become a Top 50 Public Research University by 2025. 

Worksite Option

This position is on-site. 

What You'll Need to Succeed

Minimum Qualifications:

• Requires a high school diploma and three years of relevant experience. Education may be substituted for experience as determined relevant by a hiring manager.
• Valid driver’s license upon appointment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Two years of experience in one of the following building mechanical trades: electrical, electronics, plumbing, power plant operation, boiler operations, HVAC, and electronic/pneumatic control repair.
• Prefer skill in the use of tools and the operation of machines and equipment commonly used in preventive maintenance and repair work.
• High school graduate or equivalent and two years of experience in a power plant setting, including steam generation, chiller operation, and reading/calibrating all types of gauges and meters.
• Vocational technical training in mechanical systems or military training in boiler operation would be beneficial. Welding.

How to Apply

Please submit the following documents:

• Application and/or resume

Screening of Applications Begins

Screening begins immediately and continues until position is filled.

Anticipated Hiring Pay Range

$22.83 - $35.38 hourly