Utilities Plant Operator

Utilities Plant Operator

Salary

$39,764.00 - $73,576.00 Annually

Location

Charleston County, SC

Job Type

FTE - Full-Time

Job Number

2026017

Agency

University of Charleston

Opening Date

06/16/2026

Closing Date

7/15/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Agency Specific Application Procedures:

All applications must be submitted online https://jobs.cofc.edu

Class Code:

KC40

Position Number:

006629

Normal Work Schedule:

Other

Pay Grade

GEN07

Hiring Range - Min.

$47,717.00

Hiring Range - Max.

$55,000.00

Opening Date

06/16/2026

EEO Statement

Equal Opportunity Employer

Normal Work Schedule (Other):

This position involves working on a rotating shift as the Central Energy Facility operates 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Overtime work may be required, as needed, due to staffing shortages, emergencies, etc.

Veteran Preference Statement

South Carolina is making our Veterans a priority for employment in state agencies and institutions.

• Description
• Benefits

Job Responsibilities

Activity

1. Operates and maintains all equipment at the Central Energy Plant, consisting of high pressure boilers, three centrifugal chilled water units (4000 total tons), two 1500 ton cooling towers, air compressors, pumps, valves, heat exchangers, various controls and regulating devices.

Performs preventive and corrective maintenance on all boilers to include all safety devices. Opens all boilers for cleaning and inspection. Performs preventive and corrective maintenance on steam, water, air, oil and gas valves, from 1/2 inch up to 8 inches, from repacking to complete tear down.

Essential or Marginal

Essential

Percent of Time

30

Activity

2. Performs preventive and corrective maintenance on air, oil, gas and water pressure regulators, steam pressure reducers and steam traps to insure proper operation. Perform preventive and corrective maintenance on all water, oil, condensate return pumps, from replacing packing and seals to complete tear down. Install and repair pipes (black iron, copper, PVC) ranging in size from 1/4 inch up to 3 inches. Cleans and paints boiler room, pumps, valves, and lines, ensuring work area is maintained in a clean and orderly manner.

Essential or Marginal

Essential

Percent of Time

30

Activity

3. Responsible for taking boiler water, chilled water and cooling tower water samples daily, performing water quality test and adding chemicals as necessary to maintain proper water quality specification for each system.

Checks all operating boilers, chillers and cooling towers hourly for proper operation, pressure, temperature, water and oil levels, fuel and air mixture, ensuring operational logs are completed for each system.

Essential or Marginal

Essential

Percent of Time

30

Activity

4. Performs as Central Energy Plant shift supervisor after hours, keeping records, supervising fuel deliveries, inspecting contractor work in the facility after hours and ensuring compliance with regulatory and environmental requirements. Monitors a computerized 24-hour campus wide Energy Management System to ensure economical use of heating and cooling resources and diagnose problems with heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems. Notifies and recalls appropriate personnel if necessary, to correct malfunctioning equipment.

Demonstrates safety knowledge by practicing and adhering to all proper safety procedures and OSHA regulations pertaining to the HVAC/ Utilities trade. Consistently wears/uses appropriate personal protective equipment as required. Responsible for ensuring that furniture, floors, walls, & surrounding work area is protected from dust & debris while work is being performed. Also responsible for ensuring that all job sites are thoroughly cleaned when work has been completed.

Essential or Marginal

Essential

Percent of Time

10

Minimum and Additional Requirements

High school diploma and three years of specialized mechanical experience in the operation and maintenance of large steam boilers, centrifugal chilled water units, cooling towers and related mechanical equipment. Valid SC driver's license is preferred, as the employee will be required to drive state vehicles to transport equipment &/or personnel when needed. Candidates with an equivalent combination of experience and/or education are encouraged to apply.

Preferred Qualifications

Must have knowledge of boiler and associated equipment repair, pipe fitting and basic electricity. Position requires basic computer skills and working knowledge and experience in using e-mail. Knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.) is preferred. Experience in utilizing on-line work order systems is a plus. Skill with electronic devices such as iPhone and iPad is preferred. Must be able to follow oral & written instructions. All employees at the College are expected to perform their jobs in a safe manner in accordance with best safety practices as prescribed by their department, the Office of Environmental Health and Safety, and the Occupational Health and Safety Administration training as provided by Facilities Management at the College of Charleston.

Additional Comments

Must be physically able to perform the duties as described. Must be able to perform manual labor and work outside in all types of weather. Must be able to work in close quarters, climb ladders/stairs, enter/exit hatches and manholes, as well as, lift/operate heavy equipment. Must be able to work in areas of extreme heat/cold and lift or move objects and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds. May be required to be on campus during and immediately following all emergencies such as hurricanes, floods, etc. This position is critical and requires the incumbent to be reliable, highly qualified, capable of performing independent duties under pressure, and possess supervisory ability. This position involves working on a rotating shift as the Central Energy Facility operates 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Overtime work may be required, as needed, due to staffing shortages, emergencies, etc.

Please complete the application to include all current and previous work history and education. A resume will not be accepted nor reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position.

• Salary is commensurate with education/experience which exceeds the minimum requirements.

Offers of employment are contingent upon a successful background check.

All applications must be submitted online https://jobs.cofc.edu

Benefits for State Employees

The state of South Carolina offers eligible employees generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid vacation and sick leave. Plus, work-life balance programs such as telecommuting and flexible work schedules are available to employees of some state agencies.

Insurance Benefits

Eligible employees may enroll in health insurance, which includes prescription coverage and wellness benefits. Other available insurance benefits include dental, vision, term life insurance, long term disability and flexible spending accounts for health and child care expenses.

Retirement Benefits

State employees are also offered retirement plan options, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Additionally, eligible employees may elect to participate in the South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program, which is a voluntary, supplemental retirement savings plan offering 401(k) and 457 plan options.

Workplace Benefits

State employees may also be eligible for other benefits, including tuition assistance; holiday, annual and sick leave; and discounts on purchases, travel and more.

Note: The benefits above are available to most state employees, with the exception of those in temporary positions. Employees in temporary grant and time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some or none of these benefits as benefits are associated with each position type. For these positions, contact the hiring agency to determine what benefits may be available.

Employer State of South Carolina

Agency University of Charleston Address 66 George Street

Charleston, South Carolina, 29424

Phone 843-953-5512

The language used in this document does not create an employment contract between the employee and the agency. This document does not create any contractual rights or entitlements. The agency reserves the right to revise the content of this document, in whole or in part. No promises or assurances, whether written or oral, which are contrary to or inconsistent with the terms of this paragraph create any contract of employment.