IUOE Plant Operator, 3rd Class

University of Rochester•Rochester, NY

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision and with moderate latitude for independent judgment, operates and assists in maintenance of boilers and auxiliary equipment which produce required steam pressure for the River Campus, Medical Center and Chilled Water Plant. Receives general direction from the Operating Engineer in charge of the shift. No supervision or direction exercised.

Requirements

High School graduation (preferably Trade School) plus 2-3 years of satisfactory work experience as a steamfitter or plumber's helper or apprentice or related experience in a power house where similar equipment is involved.
Requires good judgment, good physical condition, and the willingness to work in an atmosphere where more than normal dirt, dust and heat are present.

Responsibilities

Starts boiler fires as required and/or assumes control of operating boilers from preceding shift.
Controls combustion rate by synchronizing indirect draft, flu draft, and fuel stoker rate.
Constantly reads charts and gages and observes condition of fire to recognize and anticipate changes in load demand.
Adjusts and balances controls to maintain proper relation between steam flow, air flow, and steam header pressure.
Maintains feed water supply, feed pump pressure, and boiler water level, to insure boiler safety.
Where manual dump grates are used, actuates grate to dump ashes approximately every two hours. Wears heat resistant eye shield and cleans out clinkers using long clinker rod.
Maintains adequate fuel supply in boiler hopper.
Fills lorry from bunkers, weighs and records amount of fuel in lorry. Moves lorry to boiler hopper and dumps fuel in hopper.
Changes charts at beginning of day (12M).
Keeps hourly log of steam flow, boiler steam pressure, back pressure, and vacuum. Records water temperature to and from the heater, outside air, and gas temperatures.
Dumps wind boxes and fly ash collectors three to four times each shift.
Blows out water residue drum.
Blows down water columns and sight glasses.
Checks feed water pumps for bearing temperature and lubrication.
Cleans and lubricates stoker drive mechanism.
Maintains clean work area.
May assist in unloading coal.
Assists Operating Engineer to change water feed pumps and in making necessary mechanical repairs.
Becomes familiar with location and operation of controls for water valves, induced draft fans, forced draft fans and other auxiliary equipment as further experience and training.
Performs other duties requiring comparable skill and experience as directed.