Boiler Tender

Wesleyan University, founded in 1831, is a diverse, energetic liberal arts community where critical thinking and practical idealism go hand in hand.

Position Details
The Physical Plant team is responsible for operations and maintenance of Wesleyan buildings and grounds. The team includes a staff of skilled tradespeople who maintain and repair campus buildings and associated equipment. The physical plant team also operates the Central Power Plant, which supplies and distributes steam for heating and chilled water for air conditioning purposes.


Reporting to the Heating Plant Working Foreperson, the Boiler Tender will service, maintain, repair, inspect, and monitor various equipment in Wesleyan’s central plant. Plant operators respond to service calls in the absence of a night or weekend mechanic, or to assist the mechanic as needed.
Responsibilities include:

· Inspection, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of medium pressure boilers, chillers, co-generation, hot water heating systems and all related equipment. · Use of common mechanical and electrical tools including threading equipment, wrenches, power and hand tools, snakes, etc. · Steam, water, compressed air, and gas leak repairs. · Pump and valve maintenance, repair, and testing. · Chemical treatment of various fluid systems. · Keeping records including daily logs. · Monitoring physical plant system operations via building automation system. · Coordinating support from other Physical Plant trades and outside contractors when those parties are required to complete the work. · Frequently responds to problems reported by others in buildings outside of the CPP or call-in trades as needed. Physical Demands/Working Conditions · Carryings 50 lbs. – occasionally (up to 33% of work week) · Lifting 50 lbs. – occasionally (up to 33% of work week) · Pushing 100 lbs. – frequently (34-66% of work week) · Climbing – frequently (34-66% of work week) · Walking/Driving – 100% of workweek
This position is a full-time role working 40 hours per week on a 52 week per year schedule within the physical plant bargaining unit. The position is for a third shift worker from 11am – 7pm with a 1/2 hour paid lunch break.


This position may be required to work frequent additional hours and overtime shifts which may include returning to work, responding to after-hours emergencies between shifts, nights, holidays, and weekends as directed.

This position is classified as essential personnel and as such are required to report to work/remain at work even if classes are cancelled and the campus is working on limited operations in an emergency.


Minimum Qualifications
High school graduate or equivalent. OE2 or B, or S category license. Ability to obtain and maintain all appropriate licenses as is currently or may become a requirement for the operation of the equipment by the State of Connecticut. Five years’ experience in power plant operation. Working knowledge of power plant operations and maintenance, medium and low-pressure boilers, compressors, chillers and cooling towers and associated controls. Working knowledge of applicable local, state, and national building codes and other regulations applicable to area of responsibility. Proper use of personal protective equipment related to trade. Knowledge of Material Data Sheets and proper waste disposal methods. Proper application of Lockout Tag out, confined space, and other safety procedures. Demonstrated ability to read, interpret and build to blueprints, drawings and specifications. Effective communication skills. Demonstrated history of satisfied customer service competencies and customer follow-up. Desktop computer skills including the fundamental use of internet, e-mail, and maintenance management systems. Possession and continuous maintenance of valid State of Connecticut driver’s license and safe driving skills. Ability to meet demands of a variable schedule including other shifts, weekend, holidays, and overtime assignments as needed. Ability to meet work conditions and physical demands, with or without accommodations, on a continuous basis.
Preferred Qualifications
S-2 or S-1 license strongly preferred. Other applicable trade licenses. Advanced experience and/or certifications with medium and high-pressure steam and compressed gas systems, co-generation system operations, maintenance, repair, inspection, and testing. Naval steam plant operations experience.
Special Instructions to Applicants
Application close date is December 15, 2021
Additional Information
Any and all offers to external applicants are contingent on the candidate’s completion of a pre-employment background check screening and pre-employment physical to the satisfaction of Wesleyan University.

Wesleyan requires all employees to be vaccinated against Covid 19 unless they meet the criteria for a medical or religious exemption. New employees must be vaccinated prior to their start date. If an employee needs an exemption for medical or religious reasons, they must submit a request to Wesleyan and be approved before their start date.

Wesleyan University, located in Middletown, Connecticut, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin, marital status, ancestry, present or past history of mental disorder, learning disability or physical disability, political belief, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or non-position-related criminal record. We welcome applications from women and historically underrepresented minority groups. Inquiries regarding Title IX, Section 504, or any other non-discrimination policies should be directed to: Alison Williams, Vice President for Equity & Inclusion/ Title IX Officer, 860-685-3927, awilliams@wesleyan.edu.