Stationary Engineer, Plant Operator (First Grade)

Special Instructions to Applicants: Applicants should attach a resume in PDF format to the Supporting Documents section of the application.

About Rice

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston Texas Rice University is ranked among the nations top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio and a residential college system which supports students intellectually emotionally and culturally through social events intramural sports student plays lecture series courses and student government. Developing close-knit diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty staff and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rices culture. They come through in how we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name RICE which stands for Responsibility Integrity Community and Excellence.

Position Summary

The Stationary Engineer Plant Operator (First Grade) operates Rice Universitys central plants and utility infrastructure including all plant equipment remote equipment and utility systems and monitors the campus Building Automation Systems (BAS) safely and efficiently. The Stationary Engineer responds appropriately to problems and emergency situations that occur in the plants and on campus and is aware of activities performance and safety of all persons in and around the plants and tunnel system including other Rice employees and independent contractors.

The ideal candidate is a highly skilled safety-focused operator holding a First Grade Stationary Engineers License (or equivalent through reciprocity) with proven experience running boilers turbines control rooms and central plant utility systems. They demonstrate strong judgment under pressure responding effectively to operational issues and campus emergencies while maintaining full compliance with safety and regulatory requirements. Reliable and capable of serving as Lead Operator they excel in managing complex plant operations and ensuring continuous efficient performance of Rice Universitys critical infrastructure.

In addition to joining a meaningful and mission-driven team employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package including PTO health insurance tuition discounts and access to campus facilities.

Workplace Requirements

This is a full-time on-site position at Rice University and all duties must be performed in person according to a fixed agreed-upon Rice policy 440 work arrangements may be subject to change. This role requires working a 12-hour night shift Wednesday through Saturday from 8:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. with a 4-hour shift on Wednesday.

Essential Personnel

This position is designated as essential personnel during campus emergencies. The individual in this role is expected to report to campus deliver assigned essential services and operate under the direction of the Emergency Management Team for the duration of the emergency.

Hiring Range

The proposed hourly salary range will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. *Non-Exempt (hourly) positions underFLSA are eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent

• 4 years of related experience in central plant operations including operating high-pressure steam boilers

• Current City of Houston First Grade Stationary Engineers License or ability to acquire one within 6 months of hire

  • Able to acquire via a reciprocal license from another municipality. Candidates holding a valid stationary or steam engineers license from a state municipality or government agency may qualify for examination for an equivalent City of Houston grade pending board approval and verification of boiler operating experience and passing a written exam on boiler operation maintenance repair and safety rules

Skills:

• General knowledge of test and diagnostic equipment tools instrumentation and computer-based monitoring and control systems

• General computer aptitude

• Ability to read mechanical blueprints and electrical schematic diagrams associated with plant systems

• Ability to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing

• Ability to utilize hand tools and equipment in troubleshooting and repairs

• Ability to solve problems under stressful or critical conditions

• Performs general housekeeping in the plants to keep spaces and equipment clean and accessible

Preferences

• Currently holds City of Houston First Grade Stationary Engineers License

• Background with district energy control systems particularly those found on university campuses including combined heat and power turbines high-pressure boilers and centrifugal chillers

• Knowledge of co-generation and combined heat and power systems and boiler safety standards

• C-grade (or better) State of Texas water license

• Valid Texas Drivers License (or ability to obtain within 30 days of employment) required with no more than three moving violations or at-fault accidents within the past 36 months and no convictions or deferred dispositions for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) or Driving Under the Influence (DUI) within the past 5 years

Essential Functions

• Energizes secures adjusts and operates plant equipment including turbines chillers boilers pumps cooling tower fans air compressors generators etc. to respond to changes in campus load or to comply with planned scheduling and/or load management procedures

• Continually monitors all aspects of plant and campus auxiliary equipment and operation

• Makes necessary changes and adjustments to ensure safe and efficient plant operation via direct inspection monitoring systems and assistance from others

• Monitors forecasted weather to anticipate and configure equipment to minimize impact on campus and optimize plant operations

• Performs general and preventative maintenance equipment repair and lubrication and quality and chemical treatment monitoring for water and steam systems as necessary to ensure optimal equipment performance

• Monitors the Building Automation System for issues and alarms; calls appropriate personnel to respond to campus and equipment emergencies; responds to after-hours requests for building adjustments

• Communicates thoroughly with other operators and supervisors to facilitate continuity of operations during regular shifts and shift changes; maintains all operations and responsibilities until relieved by the next shift

• Informs direct supervisor or appropriate management of events and problems that may significantly affect plant or campus operations

• Performs duties as lead operator to provide direction to second operators for the assigned shift

• Logs events and operational changes in the operations record

• Enters work orders and daily work time using CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System)

• Performs all other duties as assigned

Additional Functions

• Must be able to lift loads greater than 50 lbs.

• Must be able to climb stairs ladders scaffolding and work in confined areas with piping and wiring obstructions as needed to access equipment

• Requires moderate to heavy physical activity including bending stooping climbing balancing standing and walking up to 8 hours per day

• Occasionally required to enter utility tunnels and confined spaces

Rice University HR Benefits: Mission and Values:Mission and Values Rice University

Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race color religion age sex sexual orientation gender identity national or ethnic origin genetic information disability or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process please contact Rice Universitys Disability Resource Center at or for support.

If you have any additional questions please email us at . Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.