Working Title: Power Plant Lead Operator

State Role Title: Trades Technician III

Position Type: Full-time Staff (Classified)

Position Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt: Eligible for Overtime

College/Division: Business Services

Department: 100264 - Power Plant E&G

Pay Rate: Pay Range

Specify Range or Amount: $50,000 - $58,743 annually / $24.04 - $28.24 hourly

Is this a JMU only position? No

Is this a grant-funded position? No

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No

Beginning Review Date: 8/14/2025

About JMU:

James Madison University is a publicly funded university with a beautiful campus and a supportive community that is committed to preparing students for the future. The university offers excellent comprehensive benefits which include paid vacation, sick, parental, and community service leave in addition to 19 paid holidays a year; affordable health insurance; retirement through the Virginia Retirement System. We also offer a work-life balance and integration program, Balanced Dukes, that is designed to support the overall wellbeing of our employees and a Tuition Waiver Program that allows employees to have tuition waived for undergraduate and graduate level courses taken at JMU.

Visit our Prospective Employee site to learn more about what makes JMU a great place to work: bit.ly/JMUEmployment

General Information:

The Facilities Management Department at James Madison University is currently seeking qualified applicants for the position of Power Plant Lead Operator. This position is responsible for safely and efficiently providing steam and chill water services throughout the university and leading employees in operating all aspects of steam generation and chill water distribution systems. Applicants must be available to work all shifts.

Duties and Responsibilities:

-Provides effective leadership for shift operators. Trains and educates other employees on proper procedures, operating parameters, and safety issues.

-Leads in supervision, operates, records, adjusts, and maintains boilers and chillers along with associated auxiliary equipment, steam distribution, chill water, and condensate return lines throughout the university.
• Consistently adheres to operation manuals to meet critical requirement levels and expeditiously completes corrective actions
• Completes all work assignments in a timely manner.
• Accurately interprets blueprints, sketches, work orders, specifications, and determines project requirements.
• Efficiently plans the sequence of work by accurately determining work to be done and corrective measures to be taken.
• Accurately determines the proper documentation and materials required for plant operation or projects.
• Prepares accurate, complete, and up-to-date records of actions taken and assures documentation is properly signed and coordinated in a timely manner.
• Consistently adheres to all safety procedures and the confined space entry program.
•Coordinates job tasks with other affected university personnel.
•Works well with others.

-Troubleshoots problem areas and inspects for defective equipment and faulty components. Tests system operation and detects component malfunctions.
•Effectively conducts periodic inspection and scheduled maintenance of systems, determines what adjustments are necessary, and whether parts need to be substituted and components to ensure proper operation.
•Effectively utilizes proper testing instruments and equipment.


-Operates boilers and auxiliary equipment within designed parameters to ensure proper operation, efficiency, and safety of the plant.
•Records equipment operating data in the operation log hourly, noting start and stop times of equipment, material discrepancies found, and problems encountered
•Observes equipment for proper operation and condition while completing 30-minute rounds of the power plant.
•Identifies discrepancies and takes corrective action for minor problems.
•Reports maintenance needs and deficiencies.
•Ensures all pertinent information is passed on to relief and Plant Supervisor as required.
•Competent in required job skills and knowledge.


-Utilizes safe practices and procedures following established safety rules and regulations.
•Maintains a neat and clean work area
•Consistently operates equipment in a safe manner, applying established safety procedures.
•Strictly adheres to safety procedures.
•Properly uses, maintains and accounts for tools required to accomplish duties
• Maintains a neat personal appearance.
•Adheres to OSHA guidelines and standards.
•Identifies and corrects pre-existing safety issues.

-Employee may be required to temporarily work another shift based on business need.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:
-Knowledge of:
•Complex boiler and chiller operational details
•System operational parameters and troubleshooting techniques
•Detailed safety precautions
•Water chemistry testing and treatment procedures
•Electrical theory
•Electronic theory
•Mechanical theory
•Complex pump and valve operation
•Detailed steamfitter/plumber troubleshooting techniques
•Detailed steam distribution and chill water distribution fundamentals

-Ability to:
• Conduct pump and valve overhaul procedures
• Conduct steam trap repair procedures
•Utilize calibration equipment
•Use basic hand tools and special tools
•Conduct steamfitter/plumber repair procedures
•Test, setup, and calibrate electronic, pneumatic components
• Install steam, condensate, chill water systems and equipment
• Modify systems or equipment according to manufacturer instructions
• Program and troubleshoot electronic devices

-Valid Driver's License

Additional Posting Information:

This position requires rotating on-call responsibilities.

Conditions of Employment:  

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

EEO Statement:

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.

We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.

Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.

Reasonable Accommodation:

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or jobs@jmu.edu. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.