Stationary Engineer OR Stationary Engineer, Intermediate

Special Information

• NAU is currently engaged in transitioning to a new employment category called University Staff, which aligns the current Classified Staff, Service Professional, and Administrator classifications into a single, unified employment group. As a result, while this position is currently classified as Service Professional, effective July 1, 2026, this position will be automatically transitioned to the University Staff category. 
• This position is an on-site position which requires the incumbent to complete their work primarily at an NAU site, campus, or facility with or without accommodation. Opportunities for remote work are rare.
• This position is posted as Stationary Engineer OR Stationary Engineer, Intermediate, which is a working title. The NAU system title for this position is Stationary Engineer, Intermediate.
• This is a multi-level posting; the selected candidate will be placed into the appropriate title based on their qualifications and experience.
• Driving a vehicle on behalf of the university is anticipated to be a regular part of this position. Arizona Administrative Code Fleet Safety Policy requires all employees who drive on university business become authorized by submitting Driver’s license information for driving record monitoring, and completion of training appropriate to the level of driving performed. The law applies to all faculty, staff, and students who drive personal or university-owned motorized vehicles for any business purpose. More information on the NAU Authorized Driver Policy can be found on the NAU website.
• Employees of Facility Services are considered essential staff and must report to work when the university is closed for emergencies. This position is required to participate in on-call, call back duties and snow removal, which can include days, nights, weekends, and holidays. Under established circumstances will respond to emergency dispatch calls within set timeframes Administrative or Campus Living buildings.
• Due to a university‑wide staff classification transition, the expected start date for this position is on or after July 6, 2026.

About the Department/College

Facility Services-Utility Department is responsible for the purchase, production and distribution of water and energy on campus. This includes the generation of steam, high temperature hot water, and chilled water at two campus plants for space heating, water heating and cooling of buildings.

About the Position

Under the general direction of the Central Plant Supervisor and Stationary Engineer, Lead for Facility Services, the Stationary Engineer OR Stationary Engineer, Intermediate, works within the Central Heating and Cooling Plants. They operate and maintain Central plant and distribution equipment including high pressure power boilers up to 243,000 lbs/hr steam capacity and 96 MMBtu HTHW capacity, centrifugal chillers up to 4500 tons, and auxiliary components. This position exists to aid and assist Facility Services’ mission to the University by providing distributed energy to the Campus community, exercising fiscal responsibility, reporting on leading edge technology, practicing sustainable maintenance and operations. In addition, the Stationary Engineer OR Stationary Engineer, Intermediate will participate in an on-call schedule to handle after-hours staff and student emergencies, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Responsibilities Include

Stationary Engineer, (Entry Level)

45% - PLANT OPERATION AND SAFETY

• Monitors and records operating conditions of automatically fired boilers, chillers, compressors, motors, turbines and/or related equipment and adjust controls to specified operating conditions.
• Applies safety standards at all times and maintains good housekeeping practices to provide safe working conditions; reports problems affecting plant safety.
• Assists in preparing boiler for annual internal and external inspections which require extended periods of time spent inside the boiler steam drum and combustion chamber.
• Operates boilers outside of normal operating range to prove that all boilers safeties are in working order and corrects any discrepancies found.
• Performs inspection, trap surveys, and repairs in underground utility tunnels which require kneeling, crawling and climbing in tight quarters and in extreme heat conditions.
• Samples, tests, analyzes, mixes and inject chemicals to maintain boiler/chiller waterside conditions and blow downs in accordance with engineering standards set by chemical engineering representative.
• Monitors various gauges, gas and draft meters, pressure and temperature indicators to verify operating conditions of automatically fired boilers, chillers, compressors, motors, turbines and/or related equipment and adjusts controls to specified operating conditions.
• Inspect and overhaul of plate and frame heat exchangers to include cleaning of plates on an annual basis and plate replacement when required.
• Uses test equipment such as volt/ohmmeter, combustion analyzer, combustible gas detector, and air quality analyzers to ensure compatibility and safe and efficient operation of equipment.
• Performs and records periodic system testing and recommends modification or repair of equipment which fails to meet acceptable operating standards.

45% - EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR

• Provides Maintenance and repair of Central Plant equipment.
• Performs preventive maintenance, routine maintenance, and overhaul of boilers including complete teardown and rebuild of burners, flame management system and drum level control system along with all auxiliary equipment.
• Cleans and rattles boiler tubes as needed.
• Maintenance of cooling towers to include the replacement of tower fill, belts, motors, and inlet screens.
• Performs routine maintenance and repair of centrifugal type chillers including partial tear down of condenser and evaporator shells.
• Troubleshooting of chiller controls, refrigerant circuit, and lubrication system.
• Cleans chiller tubes on an annual basis or as required.
• Performs routine maintenance and repair of centrifugal, reciprocating, and vacuum pumps to include complete teardown and rebuild of pumps and motors.
• Performs laser assisted alignment of pump/motor shafts to ensure useful life of equipment is maximized.
• Monitor and repair of compressed air system to include complete teardown and rebuild of compressors and all distribution system piping, valves, dryers, separators, and controls.
• Repair, replace and conduct new installation of multiple types of valves and gaskets to include gate, butterfly, globe, pneumatic, pressure reducing valve and needle valves.
• Troubleshoot and repair of plant automation system to include transmitter calibration and replacement, programming and calibration of controllers, and repair/replacement of controllers down to the component level.
• Measures, cuts and prepares pipes, tubes, and fittings for assembly.
• Assemble and secure pipes, tubes, fittings, and related equipment, according to specifications, by cementing, soldering, and threading joints. Inspect, examine, and test installed systems and pipelines, using a pressure gauge, hydrostatic testing, observation, or other methods.

10% - COORDINATING AND COMMUNICATING

• Maintaining effective communication with other operators and fostering a team relationship that allows for collaborative problem solving and process improvement.
• Operates data center and computers to verify specific operating conditions of various plant equipment and initiates corrective actions when required.
• Records plant operating conditions, demands, and utility usage on an hourly, daily, weekly, and monthly basis and prepare reports for analysis and historical record keeping.
• Assist the supervisor, Lead and/or Senior positions with ensuring a sufficient inventory of materials and supplies.
• Take a proactive role in promoting and supporting Facility Services mission and vision.
• Dedication to the development of sustainable operations and maintenance practices.
• Adheres to new work methods or procedures, changes in safety regulations and work policies.

Stationary Engineer, Intermediate

45% - PLANT OPERATION AND SAFETY

• Monitors and records operating conditions of automatically fired boilers, chillers, compressors, motors, turbines and/or related equipment and adjust controls to specified operating condition.

45% - EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE, REPAIR AND DOCUMENTATION 

• Provide Maintenance and repair of Central Plant and distribution equipment.
• Ensures proper documentation surrounding maintenance and repair for reporting purposes.

10% -  COORDINATING AND COMMUNICATING

• Maintaining effective communication with other operators and fostering a team relationship that allows for collaborative problem solving and process improvement.

Minimum Qualifications

Stationary Engineer

• High school degree.
• 1 year of related work experience.

Stationary Engineer, Intermediate

• Completion of a four year federally approved technical training stationary engineer program.
• 2 years of related work experience.

*A combination of related education, experience, and training may be used as an equivalent to the above Minimum Qualifications.

Preferred Qualifications

Stationary Engineer

• Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in related field.
• Completion of a four year federally approved technical training stationary engineer program.

Stationary Engineer, Intermediate

• Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in related field.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Stationary Engineer, (Entry Level) and Stationary Engineer, Intermediate

Knowledge

• The Stationary Engineer, (Entry Level) should have intermediate knowledge of university plant maintenance work processes and policies
• The Stationary Engineer, Intermediate should have working knowledge of university plant maintenance work processes and policies.
• Knowledge of central plant maintenance work including operation and repair of a variety of facility equipment.

Skills

• Record keeping skills.
• Power and hand tool skills.
• Building automation control systems and repair.
• Computer skills.

Abilities

• Balances competing priorities.
• Demonstrates problem solving, organizational, and analytical capabilities.
• Communicates effectively.

Additional Abilities for Stationary Engineer, Intermediate

• Analyzes non-routine situations and anticipates issues.

Compensation

Stationary Engineer

• Salary range begins at $51,085 - $63,856. Annual salary commensurate with candidate's qualifications and related experience.

Stationary Engineer, Intermediate

• Salary range begins at $58,882 - $73,434. Annual salary commensurate with candidate's qualifications and related experience.

Pre-Employment Check

Northern Arizona University requires satisfactory results for the following: a criminal background investigation, an employment history verification and a degree verification (in some cases) prior to employment. You may also be required to complete a fingerprint background check. Also, as an employer in the state of Arizona, NAU is required to participate in the federal E-Verify program that assists employers with verifying new employees' right to work in the United States.

This position has been identified as a safety/security sensitive position. Therefore, per AZ Revised Statute, Northern Arizona University requires satisfactory results for the following: a criminal background investigation, employment history investigation, degree verification (in some cases) and fingerprinting. If you are applying for a job that requires a CDL, you will be required to register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse and adhere to the clearinghouse requirements.

Notice of Availability of the Annual Fire and Security Report

Each year Northern Arizona University releases an Annual Security Report. The report is a result of a federal law known as the Clery Act. The report includes Clery reportable crime statistics for the three most recent completed calendar years and discloses procedures, practices and programs NAU uses to keep students and employees safe including how to report crimes or other emergencies occurring on campus. In addition, the Fire Safety Report is combined with the Annual Security Report for the NAU Flagstaff Mountain Campus as this campus has on-campus student housing. This report discloses fire safety policies and procedures related to on-campus student housing and statistics for fires that occurred in those facilities. If you would like a free paper copy of the report, please contact the NAUPD Records Department at (928) 523-8884 or by visiting the department at 525 E. Pine Knoll Drive in Flagstaff.

Immigration Support/Sponsorship

Northern Arizona University will not provide any U.S. immigration support or sponsorship for this position.

Northern Arizona University welcomes applications from U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, and individuals who already hold valid authorization to work in the United States or who may qualify for a change of status within the United States under current USCIS regulations. NAU is unable to initiate new employment-based visa sponsorships that require payment of the federal H-1B supplemental fee including for candidates residing outside the United States.

Submit your Application

To apply for this position, please click on the "Apply" button on this page. You must submit your application by midnight of the application deadline.

If you are an individual with a disability and need reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process, please contact the Disability Resources Office at 928-523-8773, DR@nau.edu, or PO Box 5633, Flagstaff AZ 86011.