Power Plant Operator jobs in New Bedford, MA

POSITION TITLE : Third Class Power Plant Engineer

AGENCY : University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

APPROPRIATION OR AGENCY CODE : 7310-0000

SALARY : Grade 20

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES :

Incumbents of positions in this series operate, maintain and / or repair steam boilers, electricity generating equipment, fuel, and fluid handling equipment, auxiliary machinery, and equipment;

clean machinery and equipment; respond to emergencies or equipment breakdowns; maintain adequate supply of fuel; and perform related work as required.

The basic purpose of this work is to ensure the assigned power plant facility is operated and maintained safely and efficiently.

Follows the University's best practices to build and / or support student academic success and retention and assist in meeting strategic objectives for persistence and timely graduation of all the student population.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED :

Incumbents of positions at this level receive general supervision from First Class Power Plant Engineers or other employees of higher grade who provide instruction, assign work and review performance for compliance with safety practices and standard operating procedures.

DIRECT REPORTING STAFF :

Incumbents of positions at this level exercise direct supervision (i.e., not through an intermediate supervisor) over, assign work to and review the performance of 1 - 5 personnel;

and functional supervision (i.e., over certain functions, but not over all daily activities, or over all daily activities on a temporary basis) over 1 - 15 personnel.

DETAILED STATEMENT OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES :

• Checks, inspects and monitors various types of machinery, equipment and systems such as steam distribution and condensate return systems (steam traps, condensate receivers and piping), heat control panels, heat exchangers, safety valves and gauges, low water cut-outs and / or steam pressure reducing stations, gas and fuel oil delivery systems, fire alarms, fire sprinklers and fire hydrant systems, standpipes;
• various types of generators such as diesel, gas turbine; various types of pumps and water pumping stations; pneumatic temperature and pressure control systems;
• electrical systems; steam and water lines and systems; refrigeration systems; air conditioning, heating and ventilating systems;

and motor bearings, boiler fires, air compressors, smoke stack emissions, and chemical treatment systems , etc., to ensure the boiler plant is operated in a safe, efficient and pollution-free manner

• Operates machinery and equipment including but not limited to co-generation equipment, duct burners, PEMS, ammonia systems, HRSG, dump condenser, gas compressor, CCS, boilers, generators, pumps steam turbines and valves to ensure the provision of power
• Ensures the co-generation plant is operated within environmental compliance by assuring plant is being operated in accordance with orders issues by state agencies including the Department of Environmental Protections, the Department of Public Safety, and the Bureau of Professional Licensure
• Repairs, overhauls and maintains machinery and equipment by replacing turbines, boilers, burners, motors, pumps and compressors;
• by using metalworking machinery , electric hacksaws, pipe threaders and other machine shop equipment; by cycling auxiliary equipment as needed;

by repairing and overhauling pipes, valves, gauges, etc.; by cleaning or replacing filters; by lubricating equipment; and by making minor electrical or plumbing repairs to keep equipment operating at peak efficiently and to prevent costly breakdowns

• Cleans and maintains work areas, plant machinery, equipment, including but not limited to painting of floors and equipment, suction and discharge oil strainers, burners, boilers, and pumps, to ensure the safety and efficiency of plant operations
• Responds to emergencies and breakdowns by evaluating equipment or systems problems; by identifying problems with systems covered under service contract and informing the appropriate contractor;
• by determining what repairs are necessary and taking corrective action; by deciding when to shut down equipment or systems;

by transferring from automatic to manual operation; and by operating the power plant when other systems fail to ensure uninterrupted service

Oversees the acquisition, storage, and use of fuel oils by verifying receipt of fuel and directing delivery to proper storage facility;

monitoring fuel oil levels by means of a dipstick and electronic devices and treating fuel oil with additives to remove sludge and prevent corrosion to ensure the availability of clean burning fuel oil

Performs related functions such as inspecting operating systems on a regular basis and identifying and reporting faulty equipment;

calibrating pneumatic temperature and pressure controls systems; making entries in logs or other records of fuel consumption, temperatures, etc.

• reviewing blueprints, technical manuals or other specialized material; adjusting heat levels according to outside temperatures;
• identifying work-related problems noted by personnel; responding to complaints; interpreting laws and codes and assessing their applicability to plant operations;

attending training programs; and setting work or repair priorities

• Performs maintenance and repair work related to and participates in the operation of a high-pressure steam production Power Plant, which utilizes high pressure boilers capable of operating with various types of fuel
• Operates and maintains all high-pressure boilers capable of operating with various types of fuel
• Operates, maintains, and repairs such Power Plant equipment as fuel oil pumps, chemical pumps, water pumps, fuel oil heaters, water softeners, high pressure boilers, furnaces and auxiliary boiler equipment such as oil burners, blowers, flow meters, steam traps, compressors, steam operated water heaters and similar mechanical equipment.
• Participates in maintaining the following in a Power Plant; proper level of fuel oil in storage tanks, proper fuel oil temperatures, proper chemical treatment of water used in steam production, an efficient burning of fuel used in boilers for steam production, an efficient recovery of water condensate returned from steam production and similar related tasks
• Records Power Plant information such as gauge readings, fuel consumed, steam generated, chemicals used and similar data
• Performs maintenance and repair of equipment located in the mechanical rooms of various buildings of the institution as it relates to the Power Plant operation
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED AT HIRE (List knowledge, skills, abilities) :

• Knowledge of the principles of operation of industrial type heating systems
• Knowledge of the types and uses of industrial type heating systems
• Knowledge of the principles of pneumatics and direct digital control (DDC) as applied to heating, ventilating, and building management systems
• Knowledge of the types and uses of pneumatic and direct digital controls used in power plant operations
• Knowledge of calibration and / or adjustment techniques as applied to analog, digital and pneumatic control systems
• Knowledge of the types and uses of precision measuring equipment used in a power plant such as manometers, voltmeters, anemometers, tachometers, etc.
• Knowledge of the types and uses of pumps used in water and fuel systems
• Knowledge of the methods and techniques of pipefitting
• Knowledge of the types uses and principles of operation of industrial type ventilation systems
• Knowledge of the principles of operation of internal combustion engines and gas turbine generators
• Knowledge of the types and uses of chemicals used in water treatment
• Knowledge of the safety practices and procedures followed in co-generation and power plants
• Knowledge of the types and uses of high-and low-pressure boilers
• Knowledge of the types and uses of steam plant accessory equipment, such as throttle valves, super heaters, back-pressures valves, feedwater regulators, etc.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques used in firing and operating high-or low-pressure natural gas or oil-fired boilers and their auxiliary equipment
• Knowledge of the use of computers and micro-electronic based information gathering and control interfaces for power generation and boiler plant operations
• Knowledge of the methods of general report writing
• Knowledge of the proper methods for storing and handling fuels
• Knowledge and understanding of the safety hazards working in a co-generation power plant and the methods of protocol used to address emergency situations
• Knowledge of calibration and / or adjustment techniques as applied to electronic control systems and monitoring / recording devices
• Knowledge of the types and uses of industrial type electrical generating systems, switchgear and components
• Ability to supervise, including planning and assigning work according to the nature of the job to be accomplished, the capabilities of subordinates and available resources;
• controlling work through periodic reviews and / or evaluations; determining subordinates' training needs and providing or arranging for such training;

motivating subordinates to work effectively; determining the need for disciplinary action and either recommending or initiating disciplinary action

• Ability to use high pressure natural gas compressors and distribution
• Knowledge of the principles of operation of diesel engines and gas turbine generators
• Skill in using hand power tools such as drills, electric saws, etc.
• Skill in using small hand tools such as wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers, hacksaws, and pipe threaders
• Ability to read, write and comprehend the English language
• Ability to write clearly and concisely
• Ability to follow written and oral instructions
• Ability to lift heavy objects
• Ability to deal tactfully with others
• Ability to adjust to changing situations to meet emergency or changing program or production requirements
• Ability to understand and apply the laws, rules and regulations of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts governing assigned unit activities
• Ability to explain the procedures, guidelines, policies, etc. governing assigned unit activities
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as plans, specifications, blueprints, drawing, technical manuals, etc.
• Ability to maintain accurate records
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral expression
• Ability to perform arithmetical calculations with speed and accuracy (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division)
• Ability to distinguish colors
• Ability to give written instructions in a precise, understandable manner
• Ability to give oral instructions in a precise, understandable manner
• Ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with others
• Ability to work in-group situations
• Willingness to work varied shifts and / or irregular hours (i.e., weekends, holidays, nights)
• Willingness to be subject to a standby (on-call) work status
• Willingness to work alone
• Willingness to work under exposure to intense heat
• Willingness to work under exposure to gases or noxious fumes
• Willingness to work under exposure to high-pressure boilers or furnaces
• Willingness to work under exposure to the hazards associate with steam lines
• Willingness to work under exposure to caustic or inflammatory chemicals
• Willingness to work under exposure to work under exposure to excessive noise
• Willingness to work under exposure to high voltage
• Willingness to work under exposure to the harmful effects of the by-products of combustion
• Willingness to work under exposure to inadequate ventilation
• Physical stamina and endurance
• Manual dexterity
• Mechanical aptitude

QUALIFICATIONS ACQUIRED ON JOB :

• Knowledge of the types and uses of pumps used in sewage systems
• Knowledge of machine shop practices
• Knowledge of the types and uses of industrial type refrigeration systems
• Knowledge of principles of operation of gas turbine engines
• Knowledge of the types and uses of chemicals used for sewage treatment
• Knowledge of the policies, procedures, specifications, standards, and guidelines governing assigned unit activities
• Knowledge of calibration and / or adjustment techniques as applied to electrical control systems
• Knowledge of the types and uses of industrial type air conditioning systems
• Knowledge of the methods used in building custodial work
• Knowledge of the types and uses of equipment, materials and supplies used in building custodial work
• Knowledge of the proper uses of cleaning supplies and materials
• Knowledge of the principles of operation of welding equipment
• Skill in the use of welding equipment

LICENSE AND / OF CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS :

Possession of a Third Class or higher Stationary Engineer's license based on standards established by the Massachusetts Department of Public Safety and pursuant to Chapter 146 of the Massachusetts General Laws

Must possess a valid Massachusetts 3rd Class Power Plant Engineer's License

REMARKS :

Position requires employee to be "on-call" at the discretion of Facilities Management to respond to situations that arise during holidays, weekends, or evenings after assigned shift hours

Department : Power Plant

No. of Positions : 1

Internal / External : X

State Funded : X

Salary : $66,734.46 - $94,330.34

Hours : Thu - Mon; 4pm to midnight

Grade : 20

Union : AFT Maintainers

UMass Dartmouth offers exciting benefits such as :

• 75% Employer-Paid Health Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• State Pension Retirement Plan
• Optional Retirement Savings Plans
• Tuition Credit (Employee, Spouse, & Dependents)
• Twelve (12) paid holidays
• Paid personal, vacation, and sick time
• And More!

Benefits for AFT Maintainers Union- AFT Maintainers

Applicants must be authorized for employment in the U.S. on a full time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship not available.

To apply please submit a letter of interest, current resume and the contact information for three professional references.

The deadline for internal applicants is March 15, 2024.

The review of applications will begin March 18, 2024 and will be ongoing.

Last updated : 2024-03-07