Water Plant Operator Trainee Jobs in Delaware (NOW HIRING)

Total Compensation

• Hourly rate: Hourly rate range begins at $30
• Benefits: The College offers a comprehensive benefits program that includes automatic 10% retirement contribution to your retirement account upon eligibility (no match required), a 50% tuition benefit for dependent children upon eligibility, 14 paid holidays (including the week before New Year's Day), affordable medical plans, Health Savings Account contribution of $700 for individuals and$1400 for families (no match required, available to employees enrolled in the High Deductible Health Plan), and a beautiful arboretum campus with walking trail and easy public transportation access. Please visit the Benefits page (https://www.haverford.edu/human-resources/benefits) for more information.

Work Location: On-Site

About the Maintenance Division

The Maintenance Division provides comprehensive maintenance services to academic, administrative, athletic, and residential buildings as well as to faculty housing. These services are provided by a staff of carpenters, painters, locksmiths, electricians, plumbers, maintenance mechanics, and HVAC technicians to ensure a safe and pleasant educational environment. The maintenance staff also conducts routine preventive maintenance checks on various electrical, mechanical, and architectural systems in all campus buildings. The purpose of preventive maintenance inspections is to detect and correct facility deficiencies or defects before the system as a whole break down.

About the Position
Under the direction of the Manager of Central Plant/HVAC Services, the Central Heating Plant (CHP) Operator performs the work of a stationary engineer including maintaining and repairing medium pressure steam generated vessels, pumps, and associated mechanical equipment and ensuring proper water treatment. The CHP Operator is an essential personnel position that may be required to report to work during inclement weather or other times that non-essential personnel may be excused.

Primary Responsibilities

• Operate, fire, and maintain boilers to meet the need for adequate steam with the view toward energy-efficient operations
• Maintain and adjust, as required, automatic pressure and temperature controls
• Read gauges and meters and maintain accurate records of utility and fuel usage logs
• Perform preventive maintenance on all power house equipment and clean all boilers once per year
• Test water for various properties and add and adjusts water treatment chemicals as needed
• Monitor gas meters, including the Metrotec monitor for service interruptions, and switch to alternate fuel when necessary
• Maintain and monitor, in conjunction with the Equipment Mechanic, the emergency generators in order to ensure timely and proper operation of the emergency power system
• Communicate to the Utilities Supervisor any malfunctions that would lead to failure of utility services and respond to emergency calls at all hours to correct problems in the Central Heating Plant
• Promote a safe working environment by following Haverford College safety policies and procedures; recognized industry standards, practices, and operational guidelines; OSHA regulations; and relevant building codes and regulations
• Maintain written records including, but not limited to, time sheets, work orders, and inventory control documentation
• Plan work to ensure cost effective use of labor and materials. Prepare and submit lists of materials required to complete assigned tasks
• Team with other trades in replacement and renovation work as required
• Perform duties and responsibilities with view toward Division, Department, and College goals and in support of faculty, staff, and institutional missions
• Ensure operation of and maintain all steam related equipment campus wide including but not limited to heat exchangers and condensate pump systems
• Research and order parts and equipment to support efficient operation of Central Heating Plant and heating system equipment campus wide
• Obtain job quotes, request purchase orders (Pos), and schedule jobs for steam-related equipment repairs
• Submit a replacement and renovation (R and R) list for approval for next budget year for jobs over $20,000
• Monitor all water softener systems, adding salt to brine tanks as necessary and reporting any problems to management so that repairs can be done in a timely manner
• Monitor all chemical and fuel oil tanks and orders chemicals and fuel
• Maintains proficiency at current level and updates knowledge by participating in appropriate courses, seminars, publications, and contact with others in the trade
• Perform other duties as assigned

Line of Report: The Central Heating Plant Operator position reports to the Manager of Central Plant and Mechanical Systems. This position has no direct reports.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Stationary Engineer Certification
• 5 years of relevant experience

Professional Competencies

• Knowledge of Lockout Tagout procedures
• Effective written and verbal communication
• Demonstrated organizational skills
• Ability to maintain an acceptable attendance record, be punctual, and meet deadlines
• Ability to establish and maintain a positive and cooperative working relationship with members of the Department and the College community

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited College or University
• 10 year of boiler operation experience
• Knowledge of OHSA requirements, and state and local regulations

We are aware that some people are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every qualification in the job description including the preferred qualifications. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and recognize that a successful candidate may come from a less traditional career trajectory, such as having skills and abilities gained outside a classroom context, or an equivalent skill set. We encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of our preferred qualifications.

Special Requirements

• Ability to obtain and maintain PA Act 12 background checks
• Possession of a valid U.S. Drivers' License and ability to pass a Motor Vehicle Record check

To Apply: Interested applicants are invited to submit an application, to include a cover letter and resume, through Haverford College's career website via Workday (no other form of application is accepted). The application deadline is August 25, 2026. Application review will begin after the deadline has passed. Please email recruiting@haverford.edu with questions about submitting your materials. Should the search committee be interested in pursuing your candidacy, you will hear from them directly. Finalists will be asked to provide three professional references.

Haverford College strives to maintain an equitable, accessible, and welcoming environment where staff, faculty and students of all backgrounds, perspectives, abilities, and experience can work, learn, and thrive. Haverford College is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, or any other identity or characteristic protected by law. Haverford College recognizes that we live and work on Lenape land.