What are the responsibilities and job description for the Utility Plant Operator 1 position at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania?
Please see Special Instructions for more details.
- For full consideration, applications must be received by November 12, 2025.
- Finalists for this position must communicate well and successfully complete an interview process.
- Completing this search is contingent upon available funding.
Posting Details
Posting Details
Posting Number
S326
Classification Title
Utility Plant Operator 1
Working Title
Utility Plant Operator 1
Department
Tech Trades - BL
Home Campus
Bloomsburg
City
Bloomsburg
State
Pennsylvania
Zip Code
17815
Bargaining Unit
AFSCME - Agreement
Work Location
Home Campus
Position Type
Staff
Temporary/ Permanent
Permanent
Full-time/ Part-time
Full-Time
If Part-time, specify percentage (Examples: 0.75; 0.50; 0.25)
Benefits
The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education provides a comprehensive package of employer benefits to eligible employees and their enrolled dependent(s), which include*:
- Medical and prescription drug benefits.
- Generous retirement plans, two options:
- Alternative Retirement Plan (ARP)
- State Employees’ Retirement System (SERS)
- Tuition benefits for employees and dependents.
- Paid time off.
- Employer-paid dental and vision benefits.
- Employer-paid life insurance.
- Voluntary insurances and additional retirement programs.
*Specific benefits may vary based upon university, employee group and/or collective bargaining unit. Visit: http://www.passhe.edu/inside/HR/syshr/healthcare/Pages/Summary-of-Benefits.aspx for additional information regarding benefits.
To be eligible for most benefits, you must be a permanent, full-time employee (including temporary, full-time faculty with at least an academic year contract) or a permanent, part-time employee (including temporary, part-time faculty with at least an academic year contract) who is scheduled to work every pay period for at least 50% of full-time hours.
Start Time
rotating swing shift
End Time
rotating swing shift
Hours Per Week
40 hours per week (only for select POA, SPFPA, AFSCME and OPEIU positions)
Days Worked (Check all that apply)
Varies
Salary
$38,515.00/annual in accordance with the AFSCME CBA
Anticipated Start Date
ASAP
Anticipated End Date
N/A
Position Summary Information
Position Purpose
This is semi-skilled work in the operation of boilers, chillers, and related plant equipment.
An employee in this job operates boilers, chillers, and related plant equipment that generate or receive steam, hot water, chilled water, or electricity. Work involves monitoring plant operations and adjusting systems to ensure proper functioning, keeping safe water levels, and maintaining prescribed steam pressure or water temperature. Work includes making adjustments and repairs to boilers, chillers, and related equipment; maintaining system pipelines; operating engines or motors used to drive fans and related equipment; and documenting and maintaining data regarding plant operations. Work may also include assisting in the operation of electric generation equipment. Employees may function as lead workers by assigning and demonstrating operational and maintenance tasks to lower-level staff assigned to the utility plant. Supervision is received from a Utility Plant Supervisor or other technical supervisor who reviews work performance for compliance with instructions, procedures, and safe operations.
This position is considered an essential personnel position.
This position is considered an essential personnel position.
Description of Duties
- Lubricates pumps, checks water levels and checks steam pressure to ensure a safe and constant supply of steam. (20%)
- Regenerates water softener and adds chemicals to water as directed. (5%)
- Performs air and hydronic balancing to ensure correct system distribution of water.
- Collects samples and adds chemicals to the system as directed.
- Fires boilers, blows down boilers, cleans flues, and lubricates equipment according to a prescribed schedule. (15%)
- Records data on plant operations, equipment maintenance, and meter and gauge readings, and reports required information to supervisor.
- Assists a skilled worker in the maintenance and repair of plant equipment. (5%)
- Reads meters, cleans equipment, and performs preventive maintenance according to prescribed procedures. (15%)
- Cleans utility plant rooms. (15%)
- Operates steam or electric motor driven fans, pumps, and other related equipment. (Daily as needed)
- Distributes and interprets work assignments, provides assistance, conducts on-the-job training, and reviews work for adherence to standards for Utility Plant Helpers and Labors. (5%)
- Performs related work as required. (10%)
Decision Making
N/A
Fiscal Responsibility
N/A
Supervisory Responsibility
N/A
Minimum Requirements Profile
Six months of experience as a Utility Plant Helper;
or
Six months of unskilled work experience assisting in the operation, maintenance, or repair of industrial, commercial, or institutional utility plant systems and related equipment, electronic equipment, electrical systems, heavy machinery, motors, engines, drives or hydraulic systems;
or
Any equivalent combination of experience and training that affords the applicant with the required knowledges, skills, and abilities.
A current valid Pennsylvania driver’s license is required.
or
Six months of unskilled work experience assisting in the operation, maintenance, or repair of industrial, commercial, or institutional utility plant systems and related equipment, electronic equipment, electrical systems, heavy machinery, motors, engines, drives or hydraulic systems;
or
Any equivalent combination of experience and training that affords the applicant with the required knowledges, skills, and abilities.
A current valid Pennsylvania driver’s license is required.
Preferred Qualifications
One year as Utility Plant Helper, OR One year of experience in cleaning and assisting in the operation, maintenance and repair of industrial, commercial or institutional boiler plant systems and related equipment, or and equivalent combination of experience and training.
Applicant Rating Criteria
- Demonstrated mechanical background/experience and experience performing mechanical repairs.
- Experience operating industrial boilers and high pressure steam systems.
- Demonstrated ability to maintain related records in an industrial setting.
- Demonstrated ability to work in confined spaces and at heights with personal protective equipment in place.
- Demonstrated ability to perform boiler water testing and treatment.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Knowledge of the operation of utility plant systems and related equipment.
- Knowledge of utility plant hazards and safety procedures.
- Ability to communicate effectively orally.
- Ability to communicate effectively in writing.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Essential Functions
- Sitting- 60%; walking- 20%; standing- 20%
- Working indoors- 95% and Outdoors (for errands) -5%
- Frequent lifting of objects weighing less than 5 pounds
- Occasional lifting of objects weighing 75 pounds or more
- Reaching for objects at, above and below shoulders
- Occasional twisting at waist, and stretching to reach objects
- Basic math skills and reading skills including understanding written documents
- Writing skills in preparing and organizing documents
- Sensory skills, i.e. visual, hearing and speaking
- Keyboard skills
Posting Detail Information
Open Date mm-dd-yyyy
11/03/2025
Close Date mm-dd-yyyy
Open Until Filled
Yes
Special Instructions to Applicants
- For full consideration, applications must be received by November 12, 2025.
- Finalists for this position must communicate well and successfully complete an interview process.
- Completing this search is contingent upon available funding.
Background Clearances
Offers of employment are conditional, pending successful completion of the background clearances mandated by Act 153 of 2014 and Board of Governors Policy 2014-01-A: Protection of Minors. In order to qualify for a provisional appointment, the Applicant Acknowledgement Consent Form, Provisional Hire Form, Pennsylvania State Police and Justifacts portion of the clearance process must be successfully completed prior to your start date. The remaining PA Child Abuse History Clearance and FBI Clearance must be successfully completed and returned as soon as possible within the first 90 days of employment.
Diversity Statement
At Commonwealth University we recognize our responsibility to continuously support a living, learning, and working environment that values the diverse contributions from all members of our campus community. Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion enriches our campus community and is instrumental to our institutional success. Commonwealth University strives to cultivate a campus climate that allows all members to embrace diversity, equity and inclusion as we achieve success both in and out of the classroom, in our work responsibilities, and in our professional lives beyond Commonwealth University. We uphold our commitment to DEI by:
- Actively supporting and promoting the intellectual and personal growth of our students, inside and outside of the classroom.
- Providing workshops, trainings, programs designed to broaden the knowledge and understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion within our campus community.
- Ensuring that all learning and living environments throughout our campus are welcoming and capable of serving all individuals.
Title IX/Clery
The University prohibits any form of discrimination or harassment on the basis of sex, race, color, age, religion, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, marital or family status, medical condition, genetic information, veteran status, or disability in any decision regarding admissions, employment, or participation in a University program or activity in accordance with the letter and spirit of federal, state, and local non-discrimination and equal opportunity laws, such as Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act and ADA Amendments Act, the Equal Pay Act, and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act.
The University also complies with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crimes Statistics Act, as amended by the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Title IX prohibits retaliation for asserting or otherwise participating in claims of sex discrimination. VAWA imposes additional duties on universities and colleges to investigate and respond to reports of sexual assault, stalking, and dating or domestic violence, and to publish policies and procedures related to the way these reports are handled. The University has designated the Title IX Coordinator (Jennifer Raup, Elwell Hall, ORL, 570-389-4808, jraup@commonwealthu.edu or titleixcoord@commonwealthu.edu), to coordinate the University’s compliance with Title IX and VAWA and to respond to reports of violations. The University has directed the Police Department to coordinate the University’s compliance with the VAWA-related Clery reporting requirements. For information on the University’s crime statistics, which is available in a publication called “Annual Security Report”, please contact Commonwealth University – Bloomsburg Police at 570-389-2211, Commonwealth University – Mansfield Police at 570-662-4900, or Commonwealth University – Lock Haven Police at 570-484-2278 or by accessing the following website: https://www.commonwealthu.edu/offices-directory/university-police/annual-security-report. Additionally, inquiries concerning Title IX and its implementing regulation can be made to the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights, Region III, The Wanamaker Building, 100 Penn Square East – Suite 505, Philadelphia, PA 19107; Phone: (215) 656-6010; Fax: (215) 656-6020.
About Commonwealth University of PA
The Power of Three Bloomsburg, Lock Haven and Mansfield universities have joined forces to boldly transform higher education in our region and beyond. While we are uniting as Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania, you can expect a college experience that is anything but common.
We’re Honoring our History by preserving the founding principles of each campus and continuing our vibrant on-campus student experience, serving as pillars of our communities, supporting students and our neighbors alike.
We’re Investing in Today by answering the greatest challenges facing higher education: accessibility, cost, quality, and relevance through the combined strength of our storied institutions.
We’re Building a Powerful Tomorrow by boldly changing the trajectory of public education to position ourselves for growth, increased access, and to meet economic and workforce development needs in our region, across Pennsylvania and beyond.
We’re Honoring our History by preserving the founding principles of each campus and continuing our vibrant on-campus student experience, serving as pillars of our communities, supporting students and our neighbors alike.
We’re Investing in Today by answering the greatest challenges facing higher education: accessibility, cost, quality, and relevance through the combined strength of our storied institutions.
We’re Building a Powerful Tomorrow by boldly changing the trajectory of public education to position ourselves for growth, increased access, and to meet economic and workforce development needs in our region, across Pennsylvania and beyond.
Quick Link
https://commonwealthu.peopleadmin.com/postings/4723
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
Optional Documents
- Resume
- Cover Letter
Salary : $38,515
