Swarthmore College is a highly selective liberal arts college located in the suburbs of Philadelphia, whose mission combines academic rigor with social responsibility. Swarthmore has a strong institutional commitment to inclusive excellence and nondiscrimination in its educational program and employment practices and encourages candidates who will further advance the goal of fostering a diverse and inclusive community. As one of the nation’s finest institutions of higher learning, Swarthmore College is global in outlook and draws students from around the nation and world. The 425‐acre campus is a designated arboretum, complete with gardens, rolling lawns, a creek, wooded hills, and hiking trails in the Crum Woods.

Who We Are:

The Swarthmore College Maintenance Department is responsible for maintaining, repairing, and improving the college’s physical infrastructure, including campus buildings, classrooms, residence halls, offices, and common areas. Their work ensures that Swarthmore College remains a safe, functional, and comfortable environment for students, faculty, and staff.

The opportunity:

The role of the Utility Plant Operator/Technician is to work in conjunction with the Utility Mechanics to operate, maintain and repair all equipment and devices relating to the College’s heating and cooling plants. This is primarily an operating and maintenance role working with Medium Pressure Boilers and Chillers up to 750 tons. The position will support the transition from steam and the current district cooling system to the new geoexchange system currently under construction as part of the 20X35 energy plan. This position requires working on equipment where 480v three phase power is commonplace, high temperature piping is present, and medium pressure steam (150 psi) is present. A Utility Plant Operator/Technician is expected to have formal education and licensing to operate high pressure boilers and the ability to make program changes to operating systems and monitor systems to assure safe operation.

Essential Responsibilities

• Monitoring boiler and chiller systems for proper operation. 
• Testing water samples, monitoring and adjusting chemical levels to maintain proper water chemistry in boilers, chillers and cooling towers. 
• Keeping log books as per the Title V permit requirements for the operation of stationary equipment. 
• Maintaining pumps, taking temperature readings and rebuilding/repairing steam traps, PRV’s and related steam equipment in the Heat Plant. 
• Ordering fuels and chemicals necessary for the operation of the Heat Plant and Chillers and maintain records as per Department of Environmental Resources requirements for spill protection.
• Working closely with the BAS automation specialist, assure the accuracy and proper functioning of the plant control system.  Perform regular calibration and testing of field devices to assure they are functioning properly.  This includes devices such as control valves, flow meters, pressure and temperature transmitters, variable speed drives, temperature sensors, and pressure and temperature gauges.
• Perform regular rounds to verify and document that the system is operating properly.

Existing Heating System Responsibilities

• Provide support and back up for existing heating systems including the heat plant and standalone systems.
• Assist with Monitoring, diagnosing and repairing steam boiler and high efficiency hot water boilers.  Maintain pumps, taking temperature readings and rebuilding/repairing steam traps, PRV’s and related steam equipment in the Heat Plant.
• Act as back up to the geoexchange plant operator/technician.

What you bring:

Required Qualifications

• Valid Driver’s license.
• Minimum of a High School or GED diploma.
• Minimum of five years of operating experience in a similar district energy setting
• Experience with building automation systems
• Must possess the ability to:
  • operate and interpret results of test, calibration and measurement equipment including, but not limited to, multimeters, temperature sensing devices, amp meters and water testing devices.
  • identify and use hand and power tools.
  • know and follow safe workplace practices regarding securing equipment that has the potential to move, electrical lock-out tag out and securing valves and lines with pressurized fluids and gases.
  • speak, read and write in English.
  • communicate via radio and other means of voice communication
  • provide written documentation of jobs performed and materials used to augment equipment histories.
  • effectively multitask while prioritizing workload and adhere to an established work schedule.
  • work independently, as well as in a supportive and collaborative fashion.
  • work within a technical environment that requires additional training as technologies develop.

Preferred

• Experience with Tri-M control systems
• 2-year technical degree in a related field such as HVAC, electrical technology or controls.

Physical Demands

• Able to lift up to eighty pounds unassisted.
• Ability to climb and work from ladders, scaffolding, powered lifts and other platforms at heights up to fifty feet.
• Ability to work in noisy, hot, dusty, damp or confined spaces in buildings or central thermal plant industrial environments and on roofs.

What You Will Get:

You’ll work at one of the world's most renowned liberal arts Colleges, with incredible benefits, a stunning 420-acre campus, and a collaborative work environment. Join a team of passionate, creative people who work hard and have fun supporting the College students, faculty, and staff.

We want to hear from you if you are excited about this role! The market range for this position is $34.00-$44.00 per hour, which represents the College’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range at the time of posting. The salary offered is determined based on factors including, but not limited to, experience and education of the final selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information.

PA Criminal Clearance Required

Swarthmore College requires a PA Criminal background check for all staff positions prior to the start of employment.

MVR Clearance Required by Position

Due to operating a College owned motor vehicle while performing essential job responsibilities for this position, a motor vehicle report (MVR) clearance is required prior to the start of employment.

Preview our Benefits Flyer. We offer benefit plans starting at zero cost! Upon benefit eligibility, the College contributes 10% of an employee’s salary to their retirement account. Employees are 100% vested in their accounts on the date participation begins.

2025 Swarthmore Benefits Guidebook

Retirement Plans

Tuition Grant Program

Tuition Reimbursement Program

Paid Time Off (Staff)

Holiday Schedule

Swarthmore College actively seeks and welcomes applications from candidates with exceptional qualifications, particularly those with demonstrable commitments to a more inclusive society and world. Swarthmore College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.