The Physical Plant team is responsible for operations and maintenance of Wesleyan buildings and grounds. The team includes a staff of skilled tradespeople who maintain and repair campus buildings and associated equipment. The physical plant team also operates the Central Power Plant, which supplies and distributes steam for heating and chilled water for air conditioning purposes. 

Reporting to the Heating Plant Working Foreperson, the Boiler Tender will service, maintain, repair, inspect, and monitor various equipment in Wesleyan’s central plant. Plant operators respond to service calls in the absence of a night or weekend mechanic, or to assist the mechanic as needed. 

Responsibilities include:

• Inspection, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of medium pressure boilers, chillers, co-generation, hot water heating systems and all related equipment. 

• Use of common mechanical and electrical tools including threading equipment, wrenches, power and hand tools, snakes, etc.

• Steam, water, compressed air, and gas leak repairs.

• Pump and valve maintenance, repair, and testing.

• Chemical treatment of various fluid systems.

• Keeping records including daily logs.

• Monitoring physical plant system operations via building automation system.

• Coordinating support from other Physical Plant trades and outside contractors when those parties are required to complete the work.

• Respond to mechanical and utility-related service calls in campus buildings outside the Central Power Plant and coordinate assistance from other trades as needed. 

Physical Demands/Working Conditions 

· Carrying 50 lbs. – occasionally (up to 33% of work week)

· Lifting 50 lbs. – occasionally (up to 33% of work week)

· Pushing 100 lbs. – frequently (34-66% of work week)

· Climbing – frequently (34-66% of work week)

· Walking/Driving – 100% of work week 

Ability to meet work conditions and physical demands, with or without accommodations.

This position is a full-time 3rd shift role working 40 hours per week on a 52 week per year schedule within the physical plant bargaining unit. The position is for a 3rd shift worker from 11:00pm to 7:00am with a half hour paid lunch break.

This position may be required to work frequent additional hours and overtime shifts which may include returning to work, responding to after-hours emergencies between shifts, nights, holidays, and weekends as directed. 

This position is classified as essential personnel and as such are required to report to work/remain at work even if classes are cancelled and the campus is working on limited operations in an emergency. 

Minimum Qualifications

• High school graduate or equivalent.

• OE2 or B, or S category license.

• Ability to obtain and maintain all appropriate licenses as is currently or may become a requirement for the operation of the equipment by the State of Connecticut.

• Five years’ experience in power plant operation.

• Working knowledge of power plant operations and maintenance, medium and low-pressure boilers, compressors, chillers and cooling towers and associated controls.

• Working knowledge of applicable local, state, and national building codes and other regulations applicable to area of responsibility.

• Proper use of personal protective equipment related to trade.

• Knowledge of Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and proper waste disposal methods.

• Proper application of Lockout Tag out, confined space, and other safety procedures.

• Demonstrated ability to read, interpret and build to blueprints, drawings and specifications.

• Effective communication skills.

• Demonstrated history of satisfied customer service competencies and customer follow-up.

• Desktop computer skills including the fundamental use of internet, e-mail, and maintenance management systems.

• Must be at least 20 years of age and possess a valid U.S. driver’s license for a minimum of three years with a satisfactory driving record.

• Ability to meet demands of a variable schedule including other shifts, weekend, holidays, and overtime assignments as needed.

• Ability to meet work conditions and physical demands, with or without accommodations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• S-2 or S-1 license strongly preferred.

• Other applicable trade licenses.

• Advanced experience and/or certifications with medium and high-pressure steam and compressed gas systems, co-generation system operations, maintenance, repair, inspection, and testing.

• Naval steam plant operations experience.

Position is open until filled. For full consideration please apply by October 4th when first review of applications will begin.

All offers to external applicants are contingent on the candidate’s completion of a pre-employment background check screening to the satisfaction of Wesleyan University.

Wesleyan University, located in Middletown, Connecticut, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin, marital status, ancestry, present or past history of mental disorder, learning disability or physical disability, political belief, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or non-position-related criminal record. We welcome applications from women and historically underrepresented minority groups. Inquiries regarding Title IX, Section 504 or any other non-discrimination policies should be directed to Vice President for Equity and Inclusion, Title IX and ADA/504 Coordinator.

Wesleyan University complies with the Clery Act and maintains records of campus crime statistics and security policies. Copies of Wesleyan University’s Clery Act Report are available on request and online at https://www.wesleyan.edu/publicsafety/clery.html.

Experience is taken into consideration in the determination of salary offers.  For more information visit https://www.wesleyan.edu/hr/handbook/compensation-practices/index.html

Wesleyan offers a broad range of employee benefits and development opportunities, including comprehensive group insurance plans, wellness programs and incentives, generous paid time off and retirement plans, flexible work schedules, employee and dependent tuition programs for those who qualify.  

Detailed information on the benefits of working at Wesleyan is located at: https://wesleyan.edu/hr/careers/prospective-resources.html.