Under the direction of the Senior Director, Plant Operations, the Stationary Engineer, Plant Operator (Second Grade) is responsible for the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of Rice University's central utility plants and campus utility systems. This role operates and monitors central plant equipment and Building Automation Systems (BAS), conducts routine equipment inspections, identifies and responds to alarms and abnormal operating conditions, and performs troubleshooting and minor maintenance activities to support continuous utility service.

The Stationary Engineer, Plant Operator (Second Grade) is responsible for monitoring equipment performance, communicating operational issues, maintaining accurate operational records, following established operating and safety procedures, and responding to routine and emergency events affecting plant operations. This position requires hands-on operation and troubleshooting of central plant equipment, including HVAC systems, chillers, boilers, steam and condensate systems, pumps, cooling towers, heat exchangers, generators, and related utility infrastructure.

The ideal candidate is a safety-focused and dependable plant operator with hands-on experience operating, monitoring, and troubleshooting central plant, industrial, or utility systems. This individual demonstrates strong mechanical aptitude, sound judgment, and the ability to effectively diagnose and respond to equipment and system issues in both field and control-room environments. Familiarity with BAS, HMI, SCADA, preventive maintenance practices, and equipment diagnostics is preferred.

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.

Special Instructions to Applicants: All interested applicants should attach a resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application, preferably in PDF format, to avoid any formatting issues.

Workplace Requirements

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible, on-site position based at Rice University. All job duties must be performed in person and in accordance with the assigned plant operations schedule. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

This position is designated as an Essential On-Campus Position and plays a critical role in maintaining the university's utility and plant operations. Employees are required to report to campus during emergencies, severe weather events, or other operational disruptions as directed to support the continuity of critical services. Employees must remain accessible to leadership and available to perform essential duties during such events.

This role is assigned to a 12-hour night-shift schedule (8:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.), with primary shift rotations including Monday through Thursday or Wednesday through Sunday. The position requires working nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime as needed to support continuous plant operations. Shift assignments, schedules, and rotations may be adjusted based on business and operational requirements.

Hiring Rate

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

Minimum Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Three or more years of related experience in central plant operations, utility operations, industrial operations, or a similar environment, including experience operating high-pressure steam boilers
• Current City of Houston Second Grade Stationary Engineer's License or ability to acquire one within 6 months of hire
  • Able to acquire a reciprocal license from another municipality. Candidates holding a valid stationary or steam engineer's license from a state, municipality, or government agency may qualify for examination for an equivalent City of Houston grade, pending board approval, verification of boiler-operating experience, and successful completion of a written examination on boiler operation, maintenance, repair, and safety rules

Skills:

• Knowledge of central plant operations, mechanical systems, instrumentation, and computerized monitoring and control systems
• Strong mechanical aptitude, with the ability to inspect, troubleshoot, diagnose, and perform minor repairs on plant and utility equipment
• Ability to read and interpret technical documents, including blueprints, P&IDs, equipment manuals, and electrical schematics
• Ability to identify abnormal equipment conditions, solve operational problems, and respond effectively during critical operating situations
• Knowledge of preventive-maintenance practices, equipment-failure analysis, and water-treatment systems related to boiler, cooling-water, and plant operations

Preferences

• C-grade or higher State of Texas water operator license
• Valid Texas driver's license, or the ability to obtain one within 30 days of employment, with no more than three moving violations or at-fault accidents within the past 36 months and no convictions or deferred dispositions for DWI or DUI within the past five years

Essential Functions

• Operate, monitor, start, stop, secure, and adjust central plant equipment, including turbines, chillers, boilers, pumps, cooling towers, air compressors, generators, heat exchangers, and associated auxiliary systems, to maintain safe, reliable, and efficient plant operations and respond to changing campus load demands
• Continuously monitor plant, utility-distribution, and campus systems through direct inspection, BAS/HMI/SCADA systems, instrumentation, alarms, trends, and operating data; identify and respond to abnormal operating conditions
• Perform routine equipment inspections and rounds to assess temperatures, pressures, flows, vibration, noise, leaks, and other indicators of equipment performance or deterioration
• Respond to equipment alarms, trips, utility interruptions, emergencies, and operational issues; make operational adjustments as directed and promptly communicate significant events to leadership
• Perform preventive maintenance, equipment inspections, lubrication, minor repairs, and hands-on troubleshooting of mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, and control systems
• Monitor and maintain water, chilled-water, cooling-water, steam, and condensate chemical-treatment programs to support optimal system performance and reliability
• Support equipment-failure investigations and root-cause analyses by providing operating history, equipment data, observations, and recommendations for corrective actions
• Maintain accurate operating logs, shift reports, equipment records, work orders, and time entries using CMMS and other required systems; ensure effective shift-turnover communication
• Adhere to all safety policies and procedures, including Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), confined-space entry, PPE, chemical handling, and reporting of unsafe conditions or practices
• Apply knowledge of central utility and district energy systems, including HVAC, centrifugal chillers, steam and condensate systems, high-pressure boilers, CHP/cogeneration systems, pumps, cooling towers, generators, and computerized plant control systems; perform other duties as assigned

Additional Functions:

• Maintain clean, safe, orderly, and accessible plant facilities, equipment, and work areas
• Assist maintenance personnel, contractors, and plant staff with equipment inspections, troubleshooting, startups, shutdowns, and repair activities as required
• Participate in required training, safety meetings, emergency-response drills, and operational-improvement initiatives
• Identify and communicate recurring equipment issues and opportunities to improve plant safety, reliability, efficiency, and maintainability
• Support the development, review, and continuous improvement of operating procedures, equipment checklists, maintenance practices, and plant documentation

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits 

Rice 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 University’s Human Resources Office via email at facstaffada@rice.edu for support.

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