Plant Operator Apprentice Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $28.59 - $32.49 Hourly
Location : Golden, CO
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: GLA - JR109032 - 08/26
Department: Colorado School of Mines
Opening Date: 08/20/2026
Closing Date: 9/13/2026 11:59 PM Mountain
FLSA: Determined by Position
Type of Announcement: This position is open only to Colorado state residents.
Primary Physical Work Address: 1500 Illinois St. Golden, CO 80401
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt; position is eligible for overtime compensation.
Department Contact Information: Human Resources; recruitment@mines.edu, 303-273-3250
How To Apply: Please submit an online application for this position at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado. Reach out to the Department Contact to apply using a paper application, including any supplemental questions. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received by the appropriate Human Resources office before the closing date and time listed.
Department Information
Would you like to work in a beautiful small campus environment? Colorado School of Mines is located in Golden, Colorado at the gateway of the Rocky Mountains, 13 miles west of downtown Denver and 21 miles south of Boulder. For more information visit us at: .
We offer a comprehensive portfolio of benefits to our classified workforce, including
medical, dental, life, short and long-term disability plans, dependent tuition benefit, and retirement plans. Benefits begin the first of the month following your start date.
Other perks include:

• 13 paid holidays per year
• Paid vacation and sick leave which starts accruing your first month!
• Set work schedule
• Free access to Mines varsity sporting events for you and 3 guests!

Description of Job
Join the team responsible for providing steam, heating, and domestic hot water to campus facilities.
As a Utility Plant Operator I, you will assist in operating and maintaining the university's central utility plant and steam distribution systems. This position combines hands-on mechanical maintenance with boiler plant operations and is ideal for candidates with experience in utility plants, boiler operations, industrial maintenance, stationary engineering, pipefitting, HVAC, or related mechanical trades.
You will work alongside experienced plant operators to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient operation of boilers, steam generators, pumps, condensate systems, and associated equipment that support critical campus operations.
What You'll Do
Boiler & Utility Plant Operations

• Operate and monitor steam boilers and steam generators
• Monitor temperatures, pressures, flows, and operational data
• Maintain plant logs and shift documentation
• Assist with startup, shutdown, and fuel changeover operations
• Monitor boiler water treatment and chemical programs
• Respond to equipment alarms and operational issues

Mechanical Maintenance

• Perform preventive and corrective maintenance on:
  • Steam systems
  • Pumps
  • Valves
  • Piping systems
  • Pressure regulators
  • Condensate systems
  • Air compressors
• Troubleshoot equipment failures and identify repair needs
• Support maintenance projects and outage work

Campus Support

• Respond to service calls
• Investigate leaks and mechanical issues
• Test steam traps and safety devices
• Operate university vehicles to transport tools and equipment

Schedule
40 hours per week

• Wednesday: 4:00 PM to 12:00 AM
• Thursday-Friday: 2:00 PM to 12:00 AM
• Saturday: 12:00 PM to 12:00 AM

Why Work Here?

• Critical role supporting campus operations
• Variety of mechanical and operational work
• Opportunity to develop utility plant expertise
• Stable public-sector employment
• Collaborative team environment
• Exposure to complex utility systems serving an entire campus

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
Residency Requirement:
This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application.
Class Code & Classification Description:
D6E1XX Utility Plant Operator I
Minimum Qualifications:
Experience Only:
Four (4) years of experience in:

• Boiler plant operations; OR
• Utility plant operations; OR
• Industrial mechanical maintenance; OR
• Stationary engineering; OR
• Steam plant operations; OR
• A closely related field.
• Experience must be clearly documented in the "Work History" section of your application; "see resume" will not be accepted.

OR
Education and Experience:
A combination of related education, formalized apprenticeship program, and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned equal to four (4) years (Transcripts must be attached for educational credit).
Preferred Qualifications:

• Boiler Operator Certificate
• Stationary Engineer License
• Experience operating steam boilers
• Experience with water chemistry programs
• Experience with BAS or plant control systems
• Experience maintaining pumps, steam systems, and condensate equipment
• Experience working in hospitals, universities, industrial plants, corrections facilities, power generation, manufacturing plants, or district energy systems

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Background check
• Pre-employment physical
• Pre-employment drug screen
• Motor Vehicle Record check

Appeal Rights:
As an applicant who has been removed from consideration during the selection or comparative analysis process, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board and/or request a review by the State Personnel Director. A standard appeal form is available on the State Personnel Board website, . If you appeal, your appeal must be submitted in writing on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative, and received at the following address within ten (10) days of your receipt of this notice: Colorado State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director, Attn: Appeals Processing, 1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver, CO 80203. Fax: 303-866-5038. Phone: 303-866-3300. Email address: dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us. The ten-day deadline and these appeal procedures also apply to all charges of discrimination. Refer to Chapters 4 and 8 of the State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, 4 CCR 801, for information about the appeals process. The State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures are available at .
Supplemental Information
Colorado School of Mines is committed to equal opportunity for all persons. Mines does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), ancestry, creed, marital status, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status or current military service. Further, Mines does not retaliate against community members for filing complaints regarding or implicating any of these protected statuses.
Mines' commitment to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and equal access is reflected in the administration of its policies, procedures, programs and activities and in its efforts to achieve a talented student body and workforce.
Through its policies, procedures and resources, Mines complies with federal law, Colorado state law, administrative regulations, executive orders and other legal requirements to prevent discrimination (including harassment or retaliation) within the Mines campus community and to address potential allegations of inequality or concerns for safety.
Are you looking for an inspiring, mission-driven workplace where you can contribute to solving the world's problems and educating the next generation of change makers? Are you an individual who values a rich and vibrant diverse and inclusive community, where our different perspectives and experiences enrich the educational and work experience?
Look to Mines.
The State of Colorado offers permanent employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, as well as a comprehensive leave program. Please click the following link for detailed information:
Please note that each agency's contact information is different; therefore, we encourage all applicants to view the full, official job announcement which includes contact information and class title. Select the job you wish to view, then click on the "Print" icon.
01
This position requires four (4) years of boiler plant, utility plant, or closely related industrial mechanical experience, OR a combination of related education, formalized apprenticeship program, and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned equal to four (4) years (Transcripts must be attached for educational credit). Do you meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

02
If you answered "yes", please explain how you meet this requirement, including titles and dates of service. If you answered "no", please enter "n/a".
03
Describe the largest boiler, steam plant, or utility system you have operated or maintained.
04
This position works an evening and weekend schedule. Are you able to work the posted schedule consistently?

• Yes
• No

Required Question