Position Description

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING
Position Number: 00045501	Description Activated On: 1/30/2026 1:21:02 PM

Position Purpose: Describe the primary purpose of this position and how it contributes to the organization’s objectives. Example: Provides clerical and office support within the Division to ensure its operations are conducted efficiently and effectively.

This employee will assist in the operation and maintenance of the central boiler plant under the instruction and supervision of the Utilities Supervisor and/or a Utility Plant Operator 2. The central boiler plant continuously operates any combination of three 450HP coal fired water tube high pressure steam boilers and one 750HP oil fired fire tube high pressure steam boiler and auxiliary equipment to provide this facility with uninterruptible steam for space heating, hot water, and dietary operations.

In addition, this employee will provide support to other utility services and maintenance functions to include operation and maintenance of the Sewage Treatment Plant as needed.

This is a skilled position. As a Utility Plant Operator 1, this employee will act as the Fireman on an assigned shift. He will be responsible for the safe and proper operation and monitoring of in service boilers under the direction of the shift Utility Plant Operator 2. When not acting as the Fireman, this employee will perform preventive & corrective maintenance as assigned.

Description of Duties: Describe in detail the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Descriptions should include the major end result of the task. Example: Types correspondence, reports, and other various documents from handwritten drafts for review and signature of the supervisor.

This employee will assist in the operation and maintenance of the central boiler plant and sewage treatment plant under the instruction and supervision of the Utilities Supervisor and/or Utility Plant Operator 2. Duties and responsibilities include;

Act as the Fireman on an assigned shift under the direction of a Utility Plant Operator 2.

Demonstrate proficiency in the operation of the coal boiler(s) in a safe, reliable, and efficient manner by monitoring and evaluating boiler operations using the following boiler parameters & indications: feed water temperature, feed water pressure, deaerator pressure, deaerator level, boiler master controller, forced draft fan position, stoker position, draft damper position, feed water regulator valve position, drum level, furnace pressure, steam flow, flue gas temperature, flue gas oxygen, wind box pressure, uptake draft, boiler annunciator panel, steam pressure, plant master controller, plant master annunciator panel, and visual appearance of the fire, fire line, and fire uniformity.

Demonstrate proficiency in the operation of the coal boiler(s) in a safe, reliable, and efficient manner for any given steam demand or steam pressure by maintaining the plant master between 20-30% and flue gas oxygen between 8-12% by adjusting any combination of the following: fuel bed depth, wind box and tuyere arrangement, appropriately biasing the air, and/or appropriately biasing the stoker.

Anticipate change in steam demand based on season, time of day, weather, weekends, and holidays and adjust coal boiler controls as necessary to meet changing conditions such that the boiler experiences minimum transients.

Identify and correct a “short fire” condition.

Identify and correct a “long fire” condition.

“Tap” and accurately weigh coal from the overhead coal bunker using the coal lorry to provide a constant supply of coal to the in service boiler(s). Accurately calculate the amount of coal used per shift.

Operate the coal handling system by operating the feeder belt, elevator, shuttle belt, and the traverse to receive and load coal into the overhead bunker. Clean coal deposits from equipment after each use.

Accurately log boiler operations data on the Boiler Room Daily Log. Accurately calculate “end of shift” and/or “end of day” boiler operations data.

Operate the boiler soot blowers.

Blow down boiler water columns and sight glasses.

Remove accumulated ash and coal deposits from under the stoker using a shovel.

Remove accumulated ash and coal deposits from inside the boiler air chambers using the air chamber slides.

Sweep and vacuum around the in service boilers to keep area clean.

Fill the make-up water storage tank.

Measure and add boiler water treatment chemicals such as sodium sulfite, sodium hydroxide, dispersant, filming amine, and/or polyphosphate to the appropriate chemical mixing tank. Measure and add potable water treatment chemicals such as polyphosphate to the appropriate chemical mixing tank.

Walk through the boiler plant and verify all auxiliary equipment is operating properly.

Recognize abnormal operating conditions such as steam or water leaks, excessive noise or vibrations, and excessive temperatures or pressures and take corrective action to return equipment to normal operation and/or report abnormal operating conditions immediately to the Utility Plant Operator 2 and/or the Utilities Supervisor.

Perform various assignments, as necessary, in order to provide support to the Maintenance Department, in a professional, workmanlike manner. Attend yearly required training and adhere to DHS, WeSH policies and procedures, Environment of Care, Patient Safety, departmental, and hospital safety requirements.

This position is subject to Overtime and Emergency Call-In. This employee responds and participates by providing assistance in all aspects of emergency snow/ice removal efforts, in order to maintain a safe environment of care for the patients and staff. A few examples include shoveling, de-icing, operating mechanical snow removal equipment, sweeping, etc…, or whatever assistance is deemed appropriate by the Facility Maintenance Manager.

Obtains and maintains CPR Certification and utilizes skills as necessary.

Perform the duties of a Utility Plant Helper.

Decision Making: Describe the types of decisions made by the incumbent of this position and the types of decisions referred to others. Identify the problems or issues that can be resolved at the level of this position, versus those that must be referred to the supervisor. Example: In response to a customer inquiry, this work involves researching the status of an activity and preparing a formal response for the supervisor’s signature.

To use my best judgment to perform my duties in a professional and safe manner.

Requirements Profile: Identify any specific experience or requirements, such as a licensure, registration, or certification, which may be necessary to perform the functions of the position. Position-specific requirements should be consistent with a Special Requirement or other criteria identified in the classification specification covering this position. Example: Experience using Java; Professional Engineer License

Experience:

Licenses, registrations, or certifications:

1.   N/A

2.   N/A

3.   N/A

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Essential Functions: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.

1.	Must see, hear, walk, stand, climb, crouch, kneel, and crawl.
2.	Reads, writes, and communicates orally in English. Understands and performs written and oral instruction.
3.	Performs work requiring mechanical aptitude.
4.	Performs simple math.
5.	Climbs several flights of stairs. Climbs portable and fixed ladders of various heights.
6.	Enters and works in a confined space.
7.	Works from elevated surfaces. Climbs and works from scaffolding and catwalks as high as 60 feet.
8.	Works in adverse conditions (rain, heat, cold, dust, and humidity). Wears and works in personal protective equipment.
9.	Performs physical labor. Lifts and carries materials up to 50lbs.
10.	Works overtime, weekends, and holidays. Subject to emergency call in.