Description
Boiler Operator
The posting is intended to describe the general content and requirements of this position and is not intended to be an exhaustive statement of duties.
Energize your career by bringing your boiler expertise to UAB’s high‑performance power team, where your advanced boiler and steam‑system skills help power the University’s mission.
Position Summary:
Operate, monitor, inspect, maintain, repair, and optimize boilers and boiler support systems to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient plant operation supporting mission-critical steam and hot-water infrastructure for campus and hospital facilities. Perform routine, preventive, and corrective maintenance on boilers, combustion systems, control systems, water treatment equipment, and associated mechanical and electrical components. Conduct inspections, operational testing, efficiency analysis, and water chemistry testing; adjust and calibrate equipment and controls to maintain performance, safety, and regulatory compliance. Document operational data and maintenance activities, maintain a clean and orderly boiler plant, and coordinate with contractors and inspectors during maintenance, repair, and inspection activities.
Essential Accountabilities:
- Operates, monitors, and inspects boilers and support systems to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient performance.
- Continuously monitors boiler and hot water system alarms and trends, taking appropriate operational or escalation actions as needed.
- Provides operational support for steam and hot water systems serving all UAB Campus and Hospital facilities.
- Conducts routine, preventive, and corrective maintenance on boilers and related mechanical/electrical components.
- Installs, tests, calibrates, maintains, and repairs control systems including combustion controls, BAS interfaces, sensors, relays, and safety interlocks.
- Performs routine boiler water and condensate testing (pH, hardness, alkalinity, chlorides, etc.) and adjust chemical feed systems.
- Maintains, repairs, modifies, installs, and replaces boilers, pumps, motors, valves, heat exchangers, piping, and related equipment.
- Assists insurance carriers, regulatory agencies, and authorized inspectors; provide operational information and support required testing.
- Records operational data, inspection findings, maintenance actions, and test results per departmental and regulatory standards.
- Reads and interprets blueprints, schematics, drawings, and manufacturer specifications for boiler and mechanical systems.
- Maintains a clean, safe, and orderly boiler plant, including minor painting and corrosion‑prevention tasks.
- Support contractors on special projects within the chilled water plant and across campus.
- Performs additional duties as assigned to support plant operations.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Demonstrates the ability to operate, maintain, and repair boilers, combustion systems, feedwater systems, pumps, motors, valves, compressors, heat exchangers, and safety devices.
- Conducts boiler water and condensate testing and manages chemical feed and treatment programs to maintain proper system chemistry.
- Understands OSHA regulations and safe work practices, including lockout/tagout (LOTO), confined space entry, hot work, fall protection, respiratory protection, and PPE requirements; follows applicable codes, standards, and inspection protocols.
- Identifies pressure, temperature, chemical, and electrical hazards and implements appropriate mitigation measures and emergency response procedures.
- Diagnoses system issues using test instruments and trend data, develops corrective actions, and applies root cause analysis to prevent recurrence and improve reliability.
- Proficient with combustion analyzers, water chemistry test kits, multimeters, manometers, thermal imagers, vibration meters, and BAS/SCADA interfaces.
- Uses computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) to document work, update digital logs, create work orders, and track system performance; able to navigate technical manuals, drawings, and schematics.
- Communicates effectively with supervisors, operators, mechanics, contractors, and inspectors; documents findings and recommendations; briefs teams on safety, system status, and action plans; works collaboratively to support plant operations.
- Maintains a clean, safe, and orderly boiler plant environment; upholds housekeeping and 5S principles; mentors junior staff on safe practices and standard procedures.
- Capable of prioritizing tasks, managing multiple responsibilities, planning preventive maintenance windows, coordinating parts and tools, and meeting operational deadlines for inspections, testing, and reporting.
- Demonstrates initiative, ownership, and accountability in plant operations; tracks tasks to completion and supports special projects and urgent system needs.
Qualifications
Hourly Pay Range:
- $21.80 - $29.33 (commensurate with experience & qualifications)
- OT Pay: 0–10 Hours OT/Week is expected. May exceed 10 Hours/Week under extraordinary conditions. May exceed 10 Hours/Week under extraordinary conditions.
Work Schedule:
- Follows a rotating 4‑on/3‑off and 3‑on/4‑off schedule to support 24/7 operations.
- Works one of two standard shifts:
o 12:00 AM–12:00 PM or
o 12:00 PM–12:00 AM
- May be required to work overtime, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, based on operational needs.
- Must be able to work a flexible schedule, including on‑call assignments.
- Work schedules may change as needed to meet the needs of the University.
Minimum Requirements:
- High school diploma or GED required.
- Three (3) years of related experience operating and maintaining boilers and boiler support equipment
Preferred Qualifications:
- Technical or vocational training in industrial maintenance or power plant operations.
- Experience with high‑pressure steam systems, boiler efficiency testing, and water chemistry treatment.
- Graduation from an accredited vocational school in HVAC may also be considered.
Licenses/Certifications/Registrations:
Motor Vehicle Record (MVR):
Driving record must meet University underwriting guidelines, including:
Valid U.S. driver’s license
Minimum age of 21
At least three years of driving experience
Acceptable Motor Vehicle Record (MVR)
Preferred Certification:
Physical Requirements:
Must be able to safely perform job duties with or without mechanical assistance, including:
- Ability to stand and walk for extended periods while performing job duties.
- Ability to lift and carry at least 50 lbs.
- Climb stairs, ladders, and scaffolding and work at heights above 30 feet.
- Perform bending, stooping, kneeling, and long‑distance walking between and within campus buildings.
- Work in confined spaces as required.
- Perform manual tasks using hand and power tools.
- Tolerate hot, cold, humid, noisy, dusty, or chemical environments with appropriate PPE.
- Maintain visual acuity for gauges and instruments and hearing acuity for alarms.
- Wear respiratory protection and other PPE as required.
Additional Information:
Incomplete job profiles will not be processed. Please be certain to showcase depth and breadth of experience, as it relates to the needs of this job announcement.
About UAB:
UAB provides a comprehensive benefits package, including health coverage, competitive retirement options, wellness programs, and a wide range of employee perks designed to support you both at work and at home. You can explore the full benefits overview here: https://www.uab.edu/humanresources/home/benefits
For more information about UAB Facilities and the work we do across campus, please visit: http://www.uab.edu/facilities/.
UAB is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution dedicated to providing equal opportunities and equal access to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, sex (including pregnancy), genetic information, age, disability, and veteran's status. As required by Title IX, UAB prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to UAB's Assistant Vice President and Senior Title IX Coordinator. The Title IX notice of nondiscrimination is located at uab.edu/titleix.
Primary Location: University
Job Category: Facilities
Organization: 112802020 Steam Operations
Employee Status: Regular
Shift: Rotation / Flexible Staffing / Multiple Shifts
Work Arrangement (final schedule to be determined by the department/hiring manager): Onsite
