Boiler Operator WTP Tech or Trainee at Cornell… · Ithaca…

Boiler Operator WTP Tech or Trainee

Location: Ithaca (Main Campus) · Onsite

The Facilities and Campus Services department is committed to providing the highest quality service to faculty, students, staff, alumni and visitors. With more than 260 major buildings on the Ithaca campus, approximately 1,000 highly talented and dedicated staff serve as stewards of campus resources and operations.

The Energy and Sustainability Utilities department operates the University energy infrastructure system on a continuous, 24 hour per day basis. Production facilities include a combined heat and power facility which provides steam and electricity to heat and power campus; a potable water filtration plant which provides all water for campus; a hydroelectric plant; two chilled water plants to provide campus cooling; and a university owned electric substation connected to the local utility. The Utilities department manages and maintains all distribution systems on campus, including steam, chilled water, electricity, potable water and wastewater, and administers energy management programs for campus buildings.

The Operations group within Utilities Production oversees the production of steam, chilled water, and electricity by operating the Central Energy Plant, Lake Source Cooling, Chilled Water Plant 3, and the Hydroelectric Plant.

Appointment into a Grade 3 Trainee or Grade 5 Technician position is dependent upon the incumbent’s skills, education, and experience. Responsibilities for each role are listed below:

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.

Boiler Operator WTP Technician – Trainee:

Assist the Senior Plant Operators in the operation of all Central Energy Plant facilities and infrastructure associated with the production of steam, chilled water, and electricity for the Cornell campus. Work closely with Boiler Operators and Senior Plant Operators to learn to operate all boilers, heat recovery steam generators (HRSG’s), and associated auxiliary equipment to continually keep the boilers/HRSG’s operating in a safe, reliable, and efficient manner. Work with the Boiler Operator and Senior Plant Operator to start and shut down boilers/HRSG’s as needed, maintain fuel feed to boilers/HRSG’s, operate the chilled water system, test and maintain water chemistry, dose chemicals, regularly check auxiliaries, etc.

Employees hired into the trainee position are expected to obtain the skills and knowledge necessary to move to the next level, Boiler Operator WTP Technician, Grade 5, through completion of the Boiler Operator Level 1 training program. Promotion from Grade 3 to Grade 5 occurs once the Boiler Operator Trainee is fully trained and competent to stand shift on their own.

Boiler Operator WTP Technician:

Assist the Senior Plant Operators in the operation of all Central Energy Plant facilities and infrastructure associated with the production and distribution of steam, chilled water, and electricity for the Cornell campus. Independently operate all boilers, heat recovery steam generators (HRSG’s), turbines, emergency generators, and associated auxiliary equipment to continually keep the boilers/HRSG’s operating in a safe, reliable, and efficient manner. Work with the Sr. Plant Operator to start and shut down the boilers/HRSG’s as needed, maintain fuel feeds to boilers/HRSG’s, operate the chilled water system, test and maintain water chemistry, dose chemicals, regularly check auxiliaries, etc.

Fill out daily log sheets, assist with locking out equipment, review standard operating procedures and drawings, help train operators at lower grades, and maintain plant cleanliness. Grade 5 Boiler Operators are expected to work toward completion of the Central Energy Plant’s Senior Boiler Operator qualification program (level 2 qualifications) and maintain established proficiency in accordance with standards set by the Operations Manager.

Provide coverage for other shifts, as required, to always ensure proper staffing.

This is an endowed, union position within the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE). The starting pay rate is:

Boiler Operator WTP Technician – Trainee would be hired as a Grade 3 (0-1 year) position with an hourly rate of pay of $30.20.

Boiler Operator WTP Technician would be hired as a Grade 5 (0-1 year) position with an hourly rate of pay of $35.32.

We are a value–based organization where all employees are accountable for supporting the organization’s values of truth, respect, excellence, teamwork, and integrity. Facilities and Campus Services employees are required to attend staff development trainings and participate in the performance evaluation process.

Boiler Operator WTP Technician – Trainee:

We require these qualifications:

• High School diploma or equivalent.

• Three years previous experience operating relevant equipment and systems, including but not limited to: boilers, fuel feed systems, chillers, rotating equipment, water chemistry, chilled water, steam systems, hot water systems, or trades work.

• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

• Experience modeling values that support inclusion, belonging, and wellbeing.

• Ability to advocate for individuals from a broad range of backgrounds.

• Experience working directly with people from various socioeconomic backgrounds.

• Demonstrated ability to give and receive feedback, communicate honestly, listen, respect others, learn from mistakes, set high goals and achieve them, overcome obstacles, use time effectively, set priorities, and participate effectively on teams.

• Demonstrated ability to give and receive feedback, communicate honestly, listen, respect others, learn from mistakes, set high goals and achieve them, overcome obstacles, use time effectively, set priorities, and participate effectively on teams.

• Highly motivated and exhibits innovation, good judgment, and reliability in the workplace.

• Valid US driver’s license.

• Demonstrated proficiency and knowledge of the skills necessary to perform minor maintenance activities. This includes use of such things as hand tools, wrenches, measurement devices, etc.

• Demonstrated proficiency with basic computer skills such as typing, email, and database entry.

You will be a top candidate with our preferred qualifications:

• Additional education: e.g., associate’s degree in technical field or equivalent experience preferred.

• Previous experience as an operator in an industrial setting.

• Previous experience in maintenance of relevant equipment, such as boilers, pumps, air compressors, chillers, etc.

• Demonstrated experience in troubleshooting and problem solving.

• Previous experience performing shift work.

Boiler Operator WTP Technician:

We require these qualifications:

• High School diploma or equivalent.

• Previous experience operating relevant equipment and systems, including but not limited to: boilers, fuel feed systems, chillers, rotating equipment, water chemistry, chilled water, steam systems, hot water systems, or trades work.

• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

• Experience modeling values that support inclusion, belonging, and wellbeing.

• Ability to advocate for individuals from a broad range of backgrounds.

• Experience working directly with people from various socioeconomic backgrounds.

• Demonstrated ability to give and receive feedback, communicate honestly, listen, respect others, learn from mistakes, set high goals and achieve them, overcome obstacles, use time effectively, set priorities, and participate effectively on teams.

• Highly motivated and exhibits innovation, good judgment, and reliability in the workplace.

• Valid US driver’s license.

• Demonstrated proficiency and knowledge of the skills necessary to perform minor maintenance activities. This includes use of such things as hand tools, wrenches, measurement devices, etc.

• Demonstrated proficiency with basic computer skills such as typing, email, and database entry.

• Completion of Level 1 Boiler Operator qualifications.

You will be a top candidate with our preferred qualifications:

• Additional education or certifications: e.g., associate’s degree in technical field or equivalent experience preferred.

• Previous experience as an operator in an industrial setting.

• Previous experience in maintenance of relevant equipment, such as boilers, pumps, air compressors, chillers, etc.

• Demonstrated experience in troubleshooting and problem solving.

• Previous experience performing shift work.

Rewards and Benefits:

• This position is based in Ithaca, New York.

• Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, sustainability, and diversity initiatives.

• Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: Understand Your Benefits | Working at Cornell.

• Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1. To offer greater flexibility for observing faiths and traditions we also offer two additional floating holidays. Learn more about our generous leave provisions: Holiday and Accrued Time Off | Working at Cornell

• Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program. Learn more about our extensive educational benefits: Education Benefits | Working at Cornell

• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell: Total Rewards | Working at Cornell.

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position. Relocation assistance will not be provided for this position.

Application Procedure:

Interested parties should submit a resume and cover letter describing qualifications on-line at https://hr.cornell.edu/jobs under staff positions section.

When applying through our system, please remember to attach resume and cover letter in either Microsoft Word or PDF format. In the Experience section of your application, use the ‘Drop Files Here’ box to manually drag document(s) into your application. For a more detailed description and instructions on how to apply online please click here.

Cornell is an equal opportunity employer. For more information click here.

University Job Title:

Boiler Oper Trainee Relief

Job Family:

Int'l Union Operating Eng

Level:

003

Pay Rate Type:

Hourly

Pay Range:

Refer to Union Pay Rates Link Below

Remote Option Availability:

Onsite

Company:

Contact Name:

Tonya Eiklor

Contact Email:

tle37@cornell.edu

Job Titles and Pay Ranges:

Non-Union Positions

Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience

• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position

• Unique applicable skills

• Academic Discipline

To learn more about Cornell’s non-union staff job titles and pay ranges, see Career Navigator.

Union Positions

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornell’s union wages, see Union Pay Rates.

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2026-08-07