Utility Plant Operations, #79170
Occupational Family: Trades and Operations
Pay Band Range: 2 - 5

Concept of Work

This Career Group provides career tracks for utility plant operators. Employees are responsible for providing operation, maintenance/repair and management of coal, oil, wood or gas-fired boilers and steam-driven turbines in power plants. Responsibilities also require boiler water analysis and treatment; or operations, maintenance and management of water filtration and wastewater treatment plants that support agencies and institutions. Employee’s duties range from entry level to management level.

Roles Comprising This Group

These roles describe the collective characteristics of the work performed by employees in the Utility Plant Operations Career Group. The roles define the typical career paths for employees who pursue careers as utility plant operators, utility plant operators’ assistants, boiler operators, and water treatment plant operators.

Although all of these occupations are utility plant operators, each warrants a separate career track. Each of these career paths requires different knowledge, skills, and abilities and would not naturally lead to the other for career progression. However, a role for each of these occupations represents different levels of work, or career progression. Career paths may exist within a single role, extend to other roles in this Career Group, or to roles in other occupationally related Career Groups.

PAY BAND

PRACTITIONER ROLES

ROLE CODE

MANAGEMENT ROLES

ROLE CODE

2

Utility Plant Specialist I

79171

   

3

Utility Plant Specialist II

79172

   

4

   

Utility Plant Manager I

79174

5

   

Utility Plant Manager II

79175

Role Descriptions

These roles are distinguished based upon the Compensable Factors of Complexity, Results, and Accountability and are used for position classification. These factors should be used for classification and compensation analysis. Recruitment and selection standards must be based on knowledge, skills, and abilities as indicated in the Employee Work Profile.

Utility Plant Specialist I

Code: 79171

Pay Band: 2

SOC: 51-8010*

The Utility Plant Specialist I role provides career tracks for utility operators’ assistants in basic plant operations/repair. Employees perform entry level to journey level assistants’ responsibilities to include manual labor intensive activities involving the operation of plant-related mechanical equipment to assisting with the operation of the boilers by monitoring display information and performing routine maintenance or other tasks under close supervision.

Utility Plant Specialist I

COMPLELXITY
  • Applies knowledge of general plant operations and basic skill in the operation of mechanical, electrical, pneumatic and hydraulic equipment may be required.
  • Ability to interpret and follow direction.
  • Follows industry or plant specific guidelines, particularly as they relate to safety practices.
  • Ability to perform manual labor intensive activities.
    •

RESULTS
  • Effective job performance supports the overall effectiveness and operation of the plant.
  • Errors related to safety could cause significant injury and harm to agency.
  • Violation of safety practices could endanger lives
    •

ACCOUNTABILITY
  • Follows detailed operational and safety procedures.
  • Works under close supervision with strictly limited independent work.
    •

 

Utility Plant Specialist II

Code: 79172

Pay Band: 3

SOC: 51-8010*

The Utility Plant Specialist II role provides career tracks for utility plant operators performing entry level to first line supervisory responsibilities in the operations/repair of plant equipment including boilers, turbines, and water and wastewater treatment systems.

Utility Plant Specialist II

COMPLEXITY
  • Applies knowledge in the operation of plant equipment and safety requirements specific to the area of assignment.
  • Applies knowledge of the design and function of utility related equipment.
  • Skill in the operation of mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic equipment.
  • May require knowledge of monitoring, recording, sampling and testing related to utility plant operations.
  • Ability to interpret and follow direction.
  • Follows industry or specific guidelines, particularly as they relate to safety, health and environmental practices.
  • May require a Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator’s License.
    •

RESULTS
  • Effective job performance ensures safe and efficient operation of the plant.
  • Errors may result in significant agency inconvenience.
  • Violation of safety practices could endanger lives and may create adverse environmental impact.
    •

ACCOUNTABILITY
  • Ensures detailed operational, safety and health procedures and industry standards are followed.
  • Refers issues of system integrity to higher levels.
  • May involve supervision of specialists on a shift, and responsibility for system and environmental procedures.
    •

 

Utility Plant Manager I

Code: 79174

Pay Band: 4

SOC: 11-9199*

The Utility Plant Manager I role provides career tracks for managers responsible for maintaining efficient utility plant equipment operation and supervision by establishing operational procedures; managing the daily operations, maintenance and repair of plant equipment; conducting periodic inspections, analyses, and reviews and maintaining related documents; and ensuring equipment life and safety and operational efficiencies.

 

Utility Plant Manager I

COMPLEXITY
  • Applies knowledge of the function of utility plants and related equipment related to the area of assignment.
  • Applies knowledge of and experience with high-pressure boiler and turbine operations and auxiliary equipment, or water and wastewater treatment systems depending on the area of assignment.
  • Evaluates the effectiveness of services provided and recommends changes in procedures to meet users’ needs.
  • Applies knowledge of effective management practices and principles.
  • Extensive operational experience in the area of assignment.
  • Follows any industry specific guidelines, particularly as they relate to safety and environmental practices and regulations.
  • Ability to interpret and follow direction as well as provide direction.
    •

RESULTS
  • Effective job performance ensures safe and efficient operation of the plant.
  • Violation of safety practices could endanger lives and create an adverse environmental impact.
  • Errors may result in significant agency inconvenience.
    •

ACCOUNTABILITY
  • Provides leadership, direction and performance management for utility plant operators and first level supervisors.
  • Ensures detailed operational and safety procedures are followed and compliance with regulatory agencies/standards.
  • Responsible for issues of system integrity.
    •

 

Utility Plant Manager II

Code: 79175

Pay Band: 5

SOC: 11-9199*

The Utility Plant Manager II role provides career tracks for managers responsible for the overall management of complex utility plants that are multiple and freestanding, provide utility services to multiple agencies, or generate electricity for an in-house utility company. Employees require expert knowledge of and experience with high-pressure boiler and/or turbine operations and auxiliary equipment.

Utility Plant Manager II

COMPLEXITY
  • Applies knowledge of and operational experience in the function of utility plants and related equipment.
  • Applies knowledge of management practices and principles.
  • Responsible for planning, organizing, staffing and coordinating the function.
    •

RESULTS
  • Effective job performance ensures safe, efficient and continued operation of the plant.
  • Violation of safety, environmental or health practices could endanger lives.
  • Errors may result in significant cost to the agency through disruption of utility services and/or impact on public safety.
    •

ACCOUNTABILITY
  • Provides leadership, direction and performance management for subordinate utility plant managers.
  • Responsible for issues of system integrity.
  • Relies on expertise and judgment to determine, plan and accomplish goals.
  • Independently responsible for the safe and efficient management and operation of the most complex utility plants, to include physical plants and personnel resources.
    •

 

*Statistical Reporting

This Career Group includes, but is not limited to, those in the following Standard Occupational Classifications.

11-9199 Managers, All Others
51-8010 Power Plant Operators, Distributors, and Dispatchers
51-8013 Power Plant Operators
51-8030 Water and Liquid Waste Treatment Plant and System Operators

New Effective Date: 11/01/01

History

Previous class titles (listed by new role title).

Utility Plant Specialist I

CLASS CODE

CLASS TITLE

GRADE

61431

Boiler Operator Assistant

4

Utility Plant Specialist II

CLASS CODE

CLASS TITLE

GRADE

61451

Turbine Operator

6

61432

Boiler Operator

6

61511

Power Plant Operations Lead Worker

7

61522

Water Systems Treatment Plant Operator Senior

7

61512

Power Plant Operations Shift Supervisor

8

Utility Plant Manager I

CLASS CODE

CLASS TITLE

GRADE

61523

Water Systems/Treatment Plant Supervisor

9

61461

Power Plant Supervisor

10

61462

Power Plant Superintendent

11

Utility Plant Manager II

CLASS CODE

CLASS TITLE

GRADE

61463

Power Plant Superintendent Senior

12