Stationary Engineer, Plant Operator (Second Grade)

Rice University•Houston, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the direction of the Senior Director, Plant Operations, the Stationary Engineer, Plant Operator (Second Grade) is responsible for the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of Rice University's central utility plants and campus utility systems. This role operates and monitors central plant equipment and Building Automation Systems (BAS), conducts routine equipment inspections, identifies and responds to alarms and abnormal operating conditions, and performs troubleshooting and minor maintenance activities to support continuous utility service. The Stationary Engineer, Plant Operator (Second Grade) is responsible for monitoring equipment performance, communicating operational issues, maintaining accurate operational records, following established operating and safety procedures, and responding to routine and emergency events affecting plant operations. This position requires hands-on operation and troubleshooting of central plant equipment, including HVAC systems, chillers, boilers, steam and condensate systems, pumps, cooling towers, heat exchangers, generators, and related utility infrastructure. The ideal candidate is a safety-focused and dependable plant operator with hands-on experience operating, monitoring, and troubleshooting central plant, industrial, or utility systems. This individual demonstrates strong mechanical aptitude, sound judgment, and the ability to effectively diagnose and respond to equipment and system issues in both field and control-room environments. Familiarity with BAS, HMI, SCADA, preventive maintenance practices, and equipment diagnostics is preferred.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent
Three or more years of related experience in central plant operations, utility operations, industrial operations, or a similar environment, including experience operating high-pressure steam boilers
Current City of Houston Second Grade Stationary Engineer's License or ability to acquire one within 6 months of hire
Able to acquire a reciprocal license from another municipality.
Candidates holding a valid stationary or steam engineer's license from a state, municipality, or government agency may qualify for examination for an equivalent City of Houston grade, pending board approval, verification of boiler-operating experience, and successful completion of a written examination on boiler operation, maintenance, repair, and safety rules
Knowledge of central plant operations, mechanical systems, instrumentation, and computerized monitoring and control systems
Strong mechanical aptitude, with the ability to inspect, troubleshoot, diagnose, and perform minor repairs on plant and utility equipment
Ability to read and interpret technical documents, including blueprints, P&IDs, equipment manuals, and electrical schematics
Ability to identify abnormal equipment conditions, solve operational problems, and respond effectively during critical operating situations
Knowledge of preventive-maintenance practices, equipment-failure analysis, and water-treatment systems related to boiler, cooling-water, and plant operations

Nice To Haves

C-grade or higher State of Texas water operator license
Valid Texas driver's license, or the ability to obtain one within 30 days of employment, with no more than three moving violations or at-fault accidents within the past 36 months and no convictions or deferred dispositions for DWI or DUI within the past five years
Familiarity with BAS, HMI, SCADA, preventive maintenance practices, and equipment diagnostics is preferred.

Responsibilities

Operate, monitor, start, stop, secure, and adjust central plant equipment, including turbines, chillers, boilers, pumps, cooling towers, air compressors, generators, heat exchangers, and associated auxiliary systems, to maintain safe, reliable, and efficient plant operations and respond to changing campus load demands
Continuously monitor plant, utility-distribution, and campus systems through direct inspection, BAS/HMI/SCADA systems, instrumentation, alarms, trends, and operating data; identify and respond to abnormal operating conditions
Perform routine equipment inspections and rounds to assess temperatures, pressures, flows, vibration, noise, leaks, and other indicators of equipment performance or deterioration
Respond to equipment alarms, trips, utility interruptions, emergencies, and operational issues; make operational adjustments as directed and promptly communicate significant events to leadership
Perform preventive maintenance, equipment inspections, lubrication, minor repairs, and hands-on troubleshooting of mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, and control systems
Monitor and maintain water, chilled-water, cooling-water, steam, and condensate chemical-treatment programs to support optimal system performance and reliability
Support equipment-failure investigations and root-cause analyses by providing operating history, equipment data, observations, and recommendations for corrective actions
Maintain accurate operating logs, shift reports, equipment records, work orders, and time entries using CMMS and other required systems; ensure effective shift-turnover communication
Adhere to all safety policies and procedures, including Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), confined-space entry, PPE, chemical handling, and reporting of unsafe conditions or practices
Apply knowledge of central utility and district energy systems, including HVAC, centrifugal chillers, steam and condensate systems, high-pressure boilers, CHP/cogeneration systems, pumps, cooling towers, generators, and computerized plant control systems; perform other duties as assigned
Maintain clean, safe, orderly, and accessible plant facilities, equipment, and work areas
Assist maintenance personnel, contractors, and plant staff with equipment inspections, troubleshooting, startups, shutdowns, and repair activities as required
Participate in required training, safety meetings, emergency-response drills, and operational-improvement initiatives
Identify and communicate recurring equipment issues and opportunities to improve plant safety, reliability, efficiency, and maintainability
Support the development, review, and continuous improvement of operating procedures, equipment checklists, maintenance practices, and plant documentation