Utility Plant Operator I

Position Location
Fort Collins, CO 80523

Work Location
Position is fully in-office/in-person

Type of Position
Full-time

Classification Title
Utility Plant Oper I

Posting Number
202400179P

Position Type
State Classified

Close Date
01/09/2025

Salary
$4,809 -$5,771 Monthly

Employee Benefits
Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

• Review our detailed benefits information here.
• Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.
• For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator.

Description of Work Unit
The Utility Services work unit exists to provide, manage, operate, and maintain utility service for the University. Utilities managed by this work unit include: electric, domestic water, sanitary sewer, storm water, natural gas, steam, chilled water, and distributed heating and cooling generation. Unit activities also include master planning for utilities, design review, utility construction inspection, customer allocation, forecasting, billing, support through relevant expertise of other Facilities Management work units, and liaison with utility providers.

Position Summary
The purpose of this position is to operate and maintain the main campus district cooling and heating plants, conduct repairs and replacements as needed, and coordinate with the Utility Plant Supervisor and Lead Operator for any system modification and controlled maintenance needs.

Minimum Qualifications

• Four (4) years of utility plant operations experience related to the work assigned. (Maintain the main cooling and heating plants, conduct repairs and replacements as needed)

OR

• A combination of related education, formalized apprenticeship program, and/or relevant experience in utility plant operations experience related to the work assigned equal to four (4) years. (maintain cooling and heating plants, conduct repairs and replacements as needed)

• If applying per meeting the education and experience minimum qualifications, an unofficial transcript must be attached at the time of application.

Preferred Qualifications

The highly desired candidate will possess the following knowledge, skills, abilities, personal characteristics, and experience directly related and critical to this position:

• Directly related state service experience
• Experience maintaining and repairing steam boilers
• Experience maintaining and repairing centrifugal chillers
• Ability to observe, define problem areas, identify causes, test, and repair and or replace faulty boiler and chiller components
• Ability to maintain a boiler and chill water treatment program

Essential Job Duties

Boiler Operation and Maintenance Program

Responsible for safe and efficient operation, maintenance and repair of the district heating utilities and the distributive steam and hot water boilers. Equipment responsibilities include but are not limited to – boilers, water softeners, DA feed tanks, pumps, pressure reducing valves, boiler primary fire control systems, forced and induced draft blowers, air compressors, diesel and steam driven generators, valves and piping systems, electrical switchgear, controllers, transmitters, positioners, and flow devices. Identifying, planning and scheduling – major repairs, breakdowns, planned and corrective maintenance; calibrating; supervision of contractors in the installation of new equipment; assist with material selection and procurement, coordination of projects, project inspections and design review.

Operations – monitor and adjust temperatures, pressures, levels, flows, and firing conditions; collecting and analyzing data; maintaining records and logs; fuel handling and off-loading; analytical chemical testing and adjustments.

Percentage Of Time 70%

Chiller Operation and Maintenance Program

Responsible for safe and efficient operation, maintenance and repair of the district cooling utilities and the distributive comfort cooling chillers. Equipment responsibilities include but are not limited to – chillers, cooling towers, pumps, pressure reducing valves, air compressors, valves and piping systems, electrical switchgear, controllers, transmitters, positioners, and flow devices. Identifying, planning and scheduling – major repairs, breakdowns, planned and corrective maintenance; calibrating; supervision of contractors in the installation of new equipment; assist with material selection and procurement, coordination of projects, project inspections and design review.

Operations – monitor and adjust temperatures, pressures, levels, flows, and loading conditions; collecting and analyzing data; maintaining records and logs; analytical chemical testing and adjustments.

Percentage Of Time 20%

Chemical Treatment Program

Responsible for proper operation and maintenance of campus wide water treatment program for steam and hot water boilers; cooling towers; closed loop systems; condensate returns systems. Responsibilities include analysis and treatment of all systems; breakdown, planned and corrective maintenance on chemical feed systems; assist with material procurement and analysis of treatment program. Training of new personnel in this area.

Percentage Of Time 5%

Other Duties as Assigned

Support the Utility Plant Supervisor, the Lead Operator, and the Utility Services Manager as needed with short-term projects and assignments.

Percentage Of Time 5%

Application Details

Special Instructions to Applicants

• Clearly document job duties you have performed that relate to minimum qualifications, preferred qualifications, and essential job duties in the Work Experience section on the application. Human Resources must be able to evaluate your experience based on this information.
• Clearly outline dates of employment and hours worked per week for each employment experience listed in the Work Experience section of the Application so that Human Resources can calculate full-time work experience. Please note: Part-time experience will be calculated to determine the full-time equivalent.
• The Work Experience is the only document that will be utilized to determine if minimum qualifications, as outlined in the job posting, have been met. The Application is considered to be the legal document on file; resumes will not be reviewed for minimum qualification requirements.
• Applicants may redact information from this initial application that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

Conditions of Employment

• Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires)
• Valid Driver’s License - Regular
• Essential Services Designation
• Shift Work - Plant operations is a 24 hour 365 days a year function
• On-call Status - Fill in on shift and plant emergencies