Power Plant Operator Trainee Jobs in Oregon (NOW HIRING)

Department: Campus Planning & Facilities Management - Utilities and Energy
Classification: Co-Generation Engineer
Appointment Type and Duration: Regular, Ongoing
Salary: $40.03 - $61.37 per hour
FTE: 1.0

August 6, 2026; open until filled

To be considered for this position, applicants must submit a complete application.
A completed application includes:
A complete online application
A resume that clearly outlines relevant work history, including dates of employment. These details are crucial in evaluating whether applicants meet the qualifications for the position.
We are interested in finding the best candidate for the position. We encourage you to use your application to let us know what is meaningful to you about the role and what transferable skills or other qualities you would bring.
If you have questions about the application process or the position, please reach out to fass@uoregon.edu

Campus Planning and Facilities Management (CPFM) is a vibrant unit within the Finance and Administration portfolio. CPFM is comprised of five departments, and approximately 270 employees: Facilities Services, Utilities & Energy, Campus Planning, Office of Sustainability, and Design & Construction. CPFM is responsible for planning, building, maintaining, and operating the infrastructure that supports the University. As stewards of a physical legacy, CPFM enables the university community to achieve its potential by providing a campus that is safe, clean, beautiful, inspiring, and environmentally responsible.
CPFM values its commitment to collaboration, service excellence, diversity, problem-solving, and stewardship. CPFM takes pride in the campus' ability to function seamlessly, while fostering an environment for educational excellence.
Utilities and Energy (U&E) provides steam, chilled water, electricity, and other district energy services to the University of Oregon's main campus in Eugene, Oregon. Our team is comprised of approximately 25 diverse and specialized staff including utility electricians, co-generation engineers, maintenance technicians, and administrative staff. Our Central Power Station is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and 365 days a year. Major assets that we operate, maintain, and repair include:
10MW combined heat and power (CHP) plant
2 industrial natural gas fired boilers
7,500 ton chilled water plant
3 million gallon thermal energy storage tank
6.5MW emergency power generation
4 miles of distribution tunnels with connections to more than 80 buildings
Instrumentation and controls
We work closely with Design and Construction, Facilities Services, Safety and Risk Services, the Sustainability Office, Research and Innovation, Information Services, Housing, and our local utility providers to deliver safe, reliable, cost and energy efficient utilities to the University of Oregon.

This position serves as a Utilities and Energy campus wide operator/dispatcher for the University of Oregon, and acts as the point of contact for utility distribution issues at the University of Oregon. This position will safely operate the UO steam plant, which consists of two high-pressure saturated steam boilers with the combined capacity of 125,000 lbs per hour; One Combined Cycle Co-Generation plant (CTG/HRSG) capable of generating 7.5 MW (Gas Turbine) and 65,000 lbs of 600-psi steam: 3.5 MW (Steam Turbine). It will also operate the UO chilled water plant that consists of (5) electric centrifugal chillers with capacity of 7,500 tons of cooling with the additional 3 million gallon thermal tank, 18 cooling towers, pumps and associated equipment. The operator is responsible for the distribution of the 12,470 Volt electrical load to the UO campus buildings, and will assist with configuring the plant to "Island Mode" if loss of power occurs from EWEB. The incumbent is responsible for regulating access, providing training, maintaining the operation, and monitoring all work performed in the UO utility distribution tunnel system. This position monitors BAS (building automation system) alarms, and controls within the UO steam plant, and chiller plant, and building HVAC system. The incumbent in this role must maintain the skills necessary for the ever-changing technology based automation systems, by training and learning daily. The incumbent will be expected to complete preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance on all power plant, and building equipment.
Interactions/contacts:
Interactions/contacts occur daily with CPFM and the campus community in the course of performing work and responding to emergencies. This position works with electrical and maintenance staff within the Utilities and Energy Department on a daily basis. This position will also be in contact with outside contractors, vendors and regulatory agencies (LRAPA and DEQ).
Decisions:
Position works as a member of a team. Decisions made by this position affect the entire University. The incumbent is responsible for maintaining a continuous flow of electricity, steam, chilled water and other utilities to the University in normal and emergency situations. Additional job-related decisions may include: when to start or stop equipment, interpreting equipment data and applying corrective actions.
Supervision:
Work is reviewed regularly by the Operations Supervisor to ensure it is performed efficiently, safely, and meets both expectations and applicable requirements. A performance appraisal is conducted annually.

Work Schedule:

This position works non-typical hours/shifts and is classified as Essential Personnel.

During the six-month trial service period, employees will complete a structured training program that includes rotations on day shift, swing shift, and/or graveyard shift over weekdays and weekends to support training and operational needs. 

• Day Shift: 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., weekdays
• Swing Shift: 3:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m., including weekends and three weekdays.
• Graveyard Shift: 11:00 p.m.-7:00 a.m., including weekends and three weekdays.

Upon successful completion of the trial service period, employees will be assigned to a shift based on operational needs and seniority within the team, in accordance with the SEIU Collective Bargaining Agreement. Candidates should be aware that the assigned long-term schedule will most likely be on either the swing shift or graveyard shift and will include weekend coverage.

Guidelines:
This position must work within the Federal, State, local and the University of Oregon rules and regulations, including maintaining compliance with permits, working within regulations, and performing duties in a safe manner.
Special Requirement:
It is an essential requirement of this position to qualify for and maintain UO driver's certification eligibility, which includes maintaining an Oregon driver's license throughout employment in this position.

Completed Boiler and Turbine Operator apprenticeship or equivalent combination of education and experience to include knowledge of turbine generators, centrifugal absorption chillers, high pressure boilers and related technical systems involving electrical, steam, and refrigeration.
Position requires valid Oregon driver's license and acceptable driving record.

Ability to perform duties in a way that advances and supports the mission of the department and university.
Ability to collaborate effectively within a diverse team environment and foster positive relationships for problem solving.
Skilled in taking initiative and proactively addressing tasks that need to be done.
Proficient in paying close attention to detail.
Ability to maintain a safe and safety-conscious workplace.
Ability to maintain a respectful workplace and model a positive and proactive attitude.
Skilled in modeling and upholding the highest ethical standards.
Proficient in delivering superior customer service.

Experience operating highpressure boilers (100+ PSI), industrial chillers (1,000+ tons), steam turbines, and working safely around highvoltage equipment and lines.
Knowledge and handson background with gas turbines, heat recovery boilers, and utility distribution systems, including steam and chilled water.
Working knowledge of maintenance and operation of boilers, chillers, air compressors, DA tanks, RO units, pumps, and valves.
Experience using industrial and facility software systems such as FactoryTalk, Siemens, PME, Milestone Cameras, and CMMS platforms including AiM.
Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, Teams, Outlook, and Zoom for documentation, communication, and reporting.

FLSA Exempt: No

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

This is a classified position represented by the SEIU Local 503, Oregon Public Employees Union.

The University of Oregon is proud to offer a robust benefits package to eligible employees, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. For more information about benefits, visit our website.

The University of Oregon is an equal-opportunity institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The University encourages all qualified individuals to apply and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status, including veteran and disability status. The University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation in connection with the application process, please email us or call 541-346-5112.

UO prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy (including pregnancy-related conditions), age, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including family medical history), ancestry, familial status, citizenship, service in the uniformed services (as defined in federal and state law), veteran status, expunged juvenile record, and/or the use of leave protected by state or federal law in all programs, activities and employment practices as required by Title IX, other applicable laws, and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by UO policy. Questions may be referred to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access. Contact information, related policies, and complaint procedures are listed here.

In compliance with federal law, the University of Oregon prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and services. The Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report is available online.