Plant Operator

Variable (United States of America)

Plant Operator

JOB SUMMARY: Tiered job description to allow for a ladder for team members to grow within the department. Operates, monitors, inspects, maintains, and supports repair of central plant and facility utility systems in a hospital environment. Supports safe, reliable, and continuous operation of boilers, chillers, cooling towers, pumps, steam and condensate systems, domestic water systems, medical facility utility infrastructure, building automation systems, alarms, and related equipment. Coordinates with facilities, engineering, clinical departments, infection prevention, safety, security, and vendors to maintain utility reliability, regulatory readiness, emergency response capability, documentation, and uninterrupted service to patient care and support areas.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS: Qualifications are based on technician level. Technician I typically requires a high school diploma or equivalent plus trade school, apprenticeship training, military technical training, or equivalent facility operations experience. Technician II, III, and Senior levels typically require progressively higher related experience as shown in the table below. Experience in hospital, central plant, utility systems, commercial, industrial, or other regulated institutional environments is strongly preferred. Required-at-hire qualifications and certifications, along with any items required within 6-12 months of hire, should be applied by level as outlined in the technician ladder table below. Work must be performed in accordance with applicable codes, life safety practices, infection prevention procedures, utility management requirements, equipment manufacturer guidance, and facility standards for occupied health care environments.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: Experience is based on level, refer to the table below. Strong organization skills, attention to detail, mechanical aptitude, knowledge of central plant and building utility systems, and effective communication are required. Ability to monitor equipment, respond to alarms, document work accurately in CMMS and logs, follow safety and shutdown procedures, and support continuous hospital operations in patient-care and support spaces is essential. This position supports three-shift coverage and may be assigned to day, evening, or night shift based on operational needs.

Plant Operator Technician Ladder Level Scope / Promotion Readiness Autonomy / Decision-Making Minimum Experience Required Qualifications Preferred / Promotion Indicators Technician I Entry-level plant operator technician performing basic rounds, readings, inspections, cleaning, and corrective support for central plant and facility utility systems. Promotion readiness to Technician II is demonstrated by consistent safe work practices, reliable log and work order completion, basic alarm response, and documented competency in routine plant operations tasks. Works under close supervision. Follows established procedures, identifies when to escalate, and demonstrates sound judgment when responding to utility alarms, equipment conditions, and occupied hospital environments. 0-2 years High school diploma or equivalent; trade school, apprenticeship, military technical training, or equivalent facility operations experience; valid driver license if required by role; completion of required safety, infection prevention, utility systems, and facility onboarding training. Trade program completion, OSHA 10, boiler safety awareness, HVAC/central plant fundamentals, or documented completion of introductory plant operations training; demonstrates readiness to independently complete routine rounds, readings, PMs, and service calls.

Specific Skill Requirements by Level Technician I: Entry / Apprentice

• Builds foundational proficiency in safety, lockout/tagout, PPE, infection prevention awareness, alarm response, utility rounds, and safe work practices in occupied health care environments.
• Learns plant operations basics including boilers, chillers, cooling towers, pumps, valves, steam and condensate systems, BAS screens, gauges, meters, logs, and routine use of hand and power tools.
• Demonstrates promotion readiness to Technician II through dependable attendance, safe work habits, accurate logs and documentation, and the ability to complete routine assignments with decreasing supervision.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILTIES:

Applies to all levels. Increased responsibility and autonomy are expected as the level increases.

• Maintain and update information in the CMMS, logs, rounds sheets, BAS records, or other facility systems to support operational efficiency, compliance, and asset documentation for boilers, chillers, cooling towers, pumps, steam and condensate equipment, air compressors, valves, meters, alarms, and related utility infrastructure.
• Operate, inspect, monitor, maintain, troubleshoot, and support repair of central plant and facility utility systems including boilers, chillers, cooling towers, pumps, steam and condensate systems, heat exchangers, compressed air, domestic water support systems, and associated controls.
• Support hospital utility management efforts by performing assigned rounds, readings, alarm response, water treatment support, temperature and pressure checks, inspections, testing support, corrective work, and documentation in accordance with facility procedures and applicable standards.
• Assist Facility Manager, Project Manager, and/or representative with engineering, construction, renovation, replacement, and commissioning activities involving plant equipment, mechanical rooms, utility systems, and associated infrastructure.
• Coordinate planned and emergency utility shutdowns, equipment changeovers, and service interruptions with leadership, affected departments, infection prevention, safety, security, and other stakeholders to minimize disruption to patient care and maintain safe conditions.
• Monitor vendors and contractors performing plant operations, utility, mechanical, boiler, chiller, HVAC, or controls-related work to ensure safe execution, compliance with facility procedures, and accountability for scope, quality, and documentation.
• Assist with maintaining logs, inspection records, spreadsheets, and other documentation for testing, deficiencies, repairs, and items due.
• Conduct general maintenance, operator-level preventive maintenance, minor repairs, rounds, cleaning, lubrication, filter changes, and operational checks related to plant equipment and support other facility operations as assigned.
• Assist and coordinate purchase requisitions, materials, repair parts, chemicals, filters, tools, and replacement project needs for plant equipment and facility utility systems.
• Maintain good communication with leadership, team members, clinical and support departments, vendors, safety, security, and promptly escalate conditions that may affect safety, utility reliability, patient care, comfort, or operations.
• Test and verify plant and utility systems and associated components to maintain operations, equipment reliability, environmental conditions, energy efficiency, and compliance. Keep required documentation updated on a regular basis.
• Remain proactive on certifications, continued learning courses, and training related to boilers, chillers, HVAC, central plant operations, BAS, emergency response, infection prevention, utility management, and regulated health care facility operations.
• Complete all other assigned tasks from leadership as needed and participate in on-call needs, urgent response, and troubleshooting.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Frequent walking, standing, bending, kneeling, climbing, reaching, and working in mechanical rooms, central plant areas, rooftops, interstitial spaces, above ceilings, and other facility areas are required. Must be able to perform plant operations rounds, equipment inspections, operator-level maintenance and repairs, use hand and power tools, and occasionally lift, push, or pull twenty-five to fifty pounds or equivalent during the regular work shift.

WORKING CONDITIONS: Inside and outdoor environments with exposure to temperature changes, heat, moisture, noise, vibration, dirt, grease, chemicals, mechanical equipment, rotating machinery, confined or hard-to-access work areas, and active hospital operations. Possible hazards may include slips, trips, minor cuts, punctures, burns, electrical hazards, steam, hot surfaces, chemical treatment products, and exposure to biohazard-adjacent conditions requiring PPE and adherence to infection control procedures.

SPECIAL EQUIPMENT/ WORK AIDS: Good personal and computer skills. Ability to use CMMS software, mobile work order tools, BAS or building automation interfaces, plant logs, radios, meters, gauges, pressure and temperature instruments, water treatment testing tools, vibration or infrared tools where available, hand tools, and common power tools.

Acronyms referenced above: ASHE (American Society for Health Care Engineering); ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers); BAS (Building Automation System); CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention); CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System); HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning); ICRA (Infection Control Risk Assessment); OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration); OR (Operating Room); PPE (Personal Protective Equipment); PM (Preventive Maintenance); WMP (Water Management Program).