Boiler Operator Apprentice

Launch Your Career as a Boiler Operator Apprentice at Lehigh University

Join Lehigh University's dedicated team and build a rewarding career in facilities operations! As a premier research university nestled in Pennsylvania's beautiful Lehigh Valley, we're seeking a motivated individual to begin an exciting apprenticeship journey in our central heating and cooling plant, with it's brand new state-of-the-art chillers.

Position Number: S71200

This position is a Grade: 8 - 40 with an approximate salary range of $46,870-56,250 and is subject to change based on experience, skills and qualifications.

Key Responsibilities:

• Complete all assigned training courses and tasks on time.
• Follow safety procedures, including steam plant safety, chemical handling, and use of Safety Data Sheets.
• Use hand tools and ladders correctly and safely.
• Learn principles of lubrication, boiler controls, and plant system alarms.
• Understand flow and operation of steam, water, gas, and air systems.
• Identify and explain the function of common valves (gate, globe, check, ball, relief, regulator).
• Recognize plant systems’ purpose, location, and flow direction (steam, condensate, feed water, gas, oil, air, chilled water, tower condensate).
• Read and interpret gauges for pressure, temperature, level, and vacuum.
• Understand operation of pumps, the steam cycle, deaerating feed tank, and D-type boiler.
• Perform basic maintenance, operate the water softener, and keep machinery/spaces clean.
• Learn to start up and shut down boilers, centrifugal chillers, and emergency generators (including remote operation).
• Perform chemical testing, treatment, and inventory for boilers and cooling towers.
• Accurately record plant equipment parameters and maintain computer logs of operations.
• Support HVAC Technicians with after-hours campus trouble calls and complete monthly generator inspections.
• Follow lockout/tagout procedures and complete required training modules (estimated 4–6 months, with ITC Learning resources available).
  
  

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or the equivalent combination of education and experience; Associates Degree in Mechanical Trades preferred
• 0-1 years of related work experience
• Basic mechanical skills
• Ability and desire to learn
• Basic math skills
• Able to write legibly
• Basic computer skills
  
  

Lehigh University is a vibrant and inclusive community committed to academic excellence and providing a supportive work environment. As an employer of choice, we offer competitive compensation and benefits packages, as well as opportunities for professional development and career advancement. Join us and be part of an institution that values diversity, encourages intellectual curiosity, and empowers its employees to make a meaningful impact. Lehigh University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate. We are committed to a culturally and intellectually diverse community and we seek qualified candidates to contribute to the university’s mission.

Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing an accommodation for any part of the interview or hiring process may contact Lehigh's Accommodations Specialist .

• This position is considered Essential Services Staff; Essential Services Staff are required to report to campus and remain during inclement weather and other emergency situations; they are defined as those needed to deliver student services and maintain campus facilities, campus safety and security.
• This position is responsible for driving university-owned vehicles as a routine function, therefore a valid Driver’s License and a good driving record is required.
• The duties of the position do not allow for a remote work option; the employee in this position will be required to work on campus where they can be fully accessible to the Lehigh community.
  
  

Successful completion of standard background checks including but not limited to: social security verification, education verification, national criminal background checks, motor vehicle checks, PATCH, FBI fingerprinting, Child Abuse Clearance and credit history based upon the requirements of the position.

Only complete applications will be considered therefore please complete the application in its entirety. Once the posting is removed from the website applications may no longer be allowed to be completed.