Utility Tech.-Power House Operator

MSD•Upper Gwynedd Township, PA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

This is an exciting opportunity with a rapidly growing pharmaceutical manufacturer. The essential functions of the position include operating and maintaining equipment and machinery used to generate sufficient steam pressure to operate a cogeneration power plant which includes two (2) natural gas turbines. The role involves monitoring and operating various systems such as main steam distribution and condensate return, feedwater treatment, natural gas, fuel oil, potable water, fire prevention, compressed air, chilled water, condenser water, wastewater treatment, and the electrical grid. The position also requires maintaining logs and necessary paperwork and documentation as required by the operation.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent
Graduate from a recognized and accredited trade school with course work in boiler operation and control comparable to the former U.S. Navy Boiler Technician or the existing U.S. Navy Machinist Mate.
Former U.S. Navy Boiler Technician
U.S. Navy Machinist’s Mate
U.S. Navy Electrician’s Mate
Graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy
System operator certification from a recognized and accredited organization for operation of industrial power and utility systems generation
Work experience and training in successful independent control, operation, inspection, monitoring, documentation and maintenance of industrial power generation equipment (i.e. Boilers and/or Gas and/or Steam Turbines) and utility (i.e. steam, compressed air, chilled water, etc.) systems.
Minimum of two (2) years (i.e. within the last five (5) years) of full-time work experience operating power and utility generation equipment comparable to the West Point facility
Served as a U.S. Navy Electrician’s Mate
Served as a U.S. Navy Boiler Technician
Served as a U.S. Navy Machinist’s Mate
Ability to read P&IDs, single line electrical drawings, etc.
Ability to analyze equipment problems, and take appropriate corrective action.
Ability to work at elevated heights.
Ability to work in OSHA defined confined spaces.
Operate and work from portable man lift devices.
Ability to operate computers to input or retrieve information as necessary.
Ability to safely use hand tools and various power tools in the performance of routine maintenance.
Able to work unsupervised with effective communication skills.
Current Employees apply HERE
Current Contingent Workers apply HERE
US and Puerto Rico Residents Only
San Francisco Residents Only: We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance
Los Angeles Residents Only: We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance
Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.
Employee Status: Regular
Relocation: No relocation
VISA Sponsorship: No
Travel Requirements: No Travel Required
Flexible Work Arrangements: Not Applicable
Shift: 2nd - Evening, 3rd - Night
Valid Driving License: No
Hazardous Material(s): Yes
Job Posting End Date: 05/31/2026

Nice To Haves

Current Employees apply HERE
Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

Responsibilities

Operates and maintains proper operating conditions on boilers, power generating equipment, and associated auxiliaries including a high-pressure feedwater boiler, major natural gas pressure reducing system, compressed air, potable water and steam/electrical distribution systems in order to meet variable load conditions to maintain adequate supply to building systems.
Operates and regenerates water softeners, deionized softeners, neutralization, and boiler feedwater treatment system making resin changes, as necessary, and insuring efficient operation. Operates and maintains associated deaerator and storage tank systems and auxiliaries.
Operates and maintains steam driven and fossil fuel fired electric generating systems and associated equipment.
Operates utility systems/equipment within specified environmental emissions monitoring limits. Responds to alarms/emissions exception reports by making proper system/equipment adjustments. Notifies appropriate authorities.
Checks yard piping systems including natural gas, fuel oil, steam and condensate, for proper operation. Monitors and maintains associated manholes, valves, connections, valve boxes, traps, condensate received stations, etc. Performs appropriate maintenance and assures service reliability.
Operates, as necessary, compressed air, chilled water and condenser water systems including associated auxiliaries in the utility system area.
Operates and maintains proper operating conditions on all waste heat boiler, portable boilers and associated auxiliaries.
Monitors and operates the waste treatment systems including pumps, blowers, tank levels, and hazardous material as necessary.
Maintains proper equipment conditions by performing routine maintenance including oiling, changing oil as required, greasing, packing, cleaning, adjusting, changing and/or cleaning burners and strainers/filters, housekeeping, etc. Troubleshoots and makes general repairs, adjustments and corrections, as necessary for continuity of efficient service.
Checks applicable equipment and operating instruments and takes necessary steps to maintain proper operating conditions. Maintains records of operating details including fuel, water, steam, chemical, electrical data, etc., and daily shift report. Changes recording charts as required, and records appropriate daily, weekly, and monthly utility data. Provides written entries and logging as necessary in shift logbook and/or data entry to automated/computerized systems.
Maintains boiler water chemistry. Performs chemical test/analysis of boiler feedwater, condensate return, and as necessary to support the effective and efficient operation of the plant, chilled water, condenser water, and plant potable water system. Troubleshoots and takes appropriate actions to correct problem areas within the utility systems. Adds chemicals as required and maintains record of conditions. Monitors and maintains supply of chemicals and informs supervisor when additional chemicals are to be reordered. Standardizes and checks water room test instruments.
Prepares equipment and/or systems for modification, tie-in, or overhaul by shutting down as required. Returns systems to service.
Maintains proper system and equipment operation in all utility areas to insure energy and water usage efficiency. Inspects and maintains boilers and power generating equipment as required and participates in scheduled maintenance and overhaul to provide continued reliable and efficient service.
Evaluates power (steam and electrical) requirements, and operates system efficiently considering power generation plant demands, steam driven equipment, steam accessories, etc. Prints computer generated equipment efficiency and combustion test data on all boilers for proper plant set-up.
Performs soundings of fuel oil storage tanks, caustic and acid tanks, receives and oversees bulk deliveries, and performs inspections of associated containment areas. Maintains required records of levels. Responds to spills and notifies proper authorities. Pulls required fuel oil, lube oil and hydraulic oil samples from tanks, vessels and equipment for analysis.
Operates various communications equipment, monitors assigned systems and responds to emergency alarms from the utilities monitoring systems and outside utility companies.
Operates the boiler and power generation control system and associated equipment remotely, locally, automatically or by hand as determined necessary under normal and emergency conditions. Monitors, troubleshoots and acts appropriately on input from boiler and power system graphics, panels, and annunciator systems. Makes changes as indicated by diagnostics and makes adjustments on necessary controls to maintain proper water levels in boilers, deaerator and condensate tanks, steam pressure, combustion air/fuel, power generation, and distribution requirements.
Provides coordination/direction/guidance for operations, maintenance and contract personnel as required to support powerhouse/plant operation, maintenance and projects. Resolves plant operational problems with Power Plant Technician and Power Distribution Electrician assistance.
Works with minimum supervision. Generates data to immediate supervisor concerning condition and status of utility systems and associated equipment.
Performs all other duties as necessary to ensure continuity and maintenance of utility systems and conditions throughout the area. Completes assigned Preventative Maintenance work orders and system outage work orders. Verifies assigned systems drawings and P&IDs for accuracy.
Monitors and operates high- and low-pressure natural gas and LPG systems and associated safety systems.
Coordinates, monitors, and performs the Lockout/Tagout Procedure as defined in site and operational Hazardous Energy Control Procedures.
Performs job duties in accordance with site and departmental safety policies and procedures.
Operates all necessary firefighting equipment, as well as the fire suppression systems.
Develops, execute, monitors and/or manages Lock Out and Tag Out(‘LOTO’) of equipment and/or other systems in accordance with Department procedures to ensure personnel safety during preventative and/or corrective maintenance, shutdowns and/or other periods or situations where LOTO is required.
Actively participates in periodic review and/or execution of existing or new Process Hazard Analysis(‘PHA’) associated with a Department Potentially Hazardous Process(‘PHP’).