What are the responsibilities and job description for the Plant Operations Support Specialist position at Virginia Tech?
Job Description
Reporting to the Plant Operations Manager, the Operations Support Specialist provides direct operational support to Plant Operations Manager as required to oversee the operation of coal, gas and oil-fired boilers and auxiliary equipment. Assist with overall steam turbine generator operation and associated plant equipment including boilers, pollution control systems, reverse osmosis units, monitoring, and data collection systems. Provide direct operational support to supervisors and staff in water testing analysis and ensures proper water chemistry is maintained. Responsible for all shipment and inventory for coal, fuel oil, hydrated lime, bulk and reagent chemicals. Develop procedures for plant safety and training, schedules personnel, works with plant instrumentation and maintenance personnel, directs employees in energy management, and assists with planning operational budget. Collect data for Thermal System Snapshot, Storm Water Prevention, and all EIA reports. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., but subject to change as necessary. Must maintain call-in status and work overtime as required. Employees operate on a rotating on-call schedule and would be expected to carry and maintain a pager (provided by the department) when they are on call for any 24/7 department maintenance and emergency needs.
Required Qualifications
3
Overtime Status
Non-Exempt: Eligible for overtime
Appointment Type
Regular
Salary Information
Commensurate with experience
Hours per week
40
Review Date
January 2, 2026
Additional Information
This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship.
The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.
About Virginia Tech
Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges , a school of medicine , a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School , and Honors College . The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes . A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.
Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance . These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.
Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.
If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Facilities HR at opshr-g@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.
Reporting to the Plant Operations Manager, the Operations Support Specialist provides direct operational support to Plant Operations Manager as required to oversee the operation of coal, gas and oil-fired boilers and auxiliary equipment. Assist with overall steam turbine generator operation and associated plant equipment including boilers, pollution control systems, reverse osmosis units, monitoring, and data collection systems. Provide direct operational support to supervisors and staff in water testing analysis and ensures proper water chemistry is maintained. Responsible for all shipment and inventory for coal, fuel oil, hydrated lime, bulk and reagent chemicals. Develop procedures for plant safety and training, schedules personnel, works with plant instrumentation and maintenance personnel, directs employees in energy management, and assists with planning operational budget. Collect data for Thermal System Snapshot, Storm Water Prevention, and all EIA reports. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., but subject to change as necessary. Must maintain call-in status and work overtime as required. Employees operate on a rotating on-call schedule and would be expected to carry and maintain a pager (provided by the department) when they are on call for any 24/7 department maintenance and emergency needs.
Required Qualifications
- Experience in the operation of oil and gas fired high pressure power boilers.
- Knowledge of the operation in relation to industrial sized coal in a Power Plant setting.
- Knowledge of support equipment such as reverse osmosis, ion exchange, attemperator, and/or pressure reducing stations required for the production of superheated steam as applied to the cogeneration field.
- American Society of Power Engineers Power Plant 1st Class (PO1) or equivalent, or must obtain within 36 months of employment into position.
- Ability to interpret instructions and complete assignments as part of a team.
- Excellent communications skills.
- Experience relating to industrial power and/or steam production, turbine operations, process instrumentation or equivalent.
- Ability to key and record data.
- Experience with PLC and DCS control systems, may include knowledge of SCADA operating system.
- Experience with emissions monitoring equipment, scrubbers and baghouse operations.
- American Society of Power Engineers Power Plant 1st Class (PO1) or equivalent.
- Previous supervisory experience.
- Experience with flue gas scrubbers and baghouse operations as applied to solid fuel fired boilers.
3
Overtime Status
Non-Exempt: Eligible for overtime
Appointment Type
Regular
Salary Information
Commensurate with experience
Hours per week
40
Review Date
January 2, 2026
Additional Information
This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship.
The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.
About Virginia Tech
Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges , a school of medicine , a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School , and Honors College . The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes . A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.
Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance . These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.
Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.
If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Facilities HR at opshr-g@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.