Stationary Engineer, Facilities Services

University of Montana
University of Montana

Operations · Full-time

Missoula, MT, USA

Posted on Sep 15, 2026

Description

Facilities Services invites applications for a Stationary Engineer to oversee the generation of campus-wide electricity and steam through our Combined Heat and Power Plant (CHP)—a vital operation that supports the university every day.

The Stationary Engineer will oversee the safe and efficient operation of two natural gas turbine generator sets, a Heat Recovery Steam Generator (HRSG) with supplemental duct burner, a steam turbine generator set, two natural gas compressors, backup water-tube boilers and ancillary equipment including an evaporative cooling tower, and a reverse osmosis makeup water system utilizing Emerson DeltaV DCS and PLC-based controllers.

Candidates must be licensed as a First-Class Boiler Operator in the State of Montana. Candidates who do not currently hold this license must provide evidence that they are eligible to obtain it within 30 days of hire. This position works a rotating shift schedule.

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities

  • Maintain appropriate campus electrical load and steam pressures to ensure reliable campus operations
  • Monitor and oversee cooling tower operation and verify water chemistry to protect equipment and maintain proper system performance
  • Maintain existing steam boilers and ensure they remain operational and ready to provide backup to the CHP Plant
  • Monitor plant-wide gauges, meters, controls, and equipment to verify safe and correct operation
  • Maintain an accurate, real-time plant operations log and document all plant-wide operational evolutions
  • Perform required water sampling each shift and accurately record test results
  • Enter water chemistry and testing results into the appropriate electronic database
  • Perform general plant-wide housekeeping to maintain a clean, safe, and orderly work environment
  • Additional duties as necessary

Minimum Qualifications

  • Licensed as a First-Class Boiler Operator in the State of Montana. If not, must provide evidence that one can be obtained within 30 days of hire
  • High school education, minimum four (4) years of experience operating and maintaining high-pressure boilers and pressure vessels requiring a first-class license to operate, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Montana State Driver’s License
  • Knowledge of industrial casualty and safety procedures, Lock-Out-Tag-Out procedures
  • Knowledge of boiler and turbine operation
  • Knowledge of pneumatic, electronic, and DCS controls
  • Knowledge of boiler operations (water tube and fire tube) and maintenance procedures for boilers, turbines, and their auxiliary devices and component
  • Ability to operate, adjust and control equipment without supervision
  • Ability to maintain accurate logs

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience performing boiler, turbine and distribution piping maintenance in an industrial setting
  • Gas Turbine and HRSG theory and operation (cogeneration)
  • Steam Turbine theory and operation
  • Gas Compressor, Cooling Tower operation and maintenance
  • DCS Control Systems
  • RO Water Systems

Physical Requirements

(Qualified candidates must be able to meet minimum requirements and perform the primary functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.)

  • Lifting: Ground to 48 inches, up to 50 lbs. Ground to overhead, up to 15 lbs.
  • Carrying: Front carry up to 50 lbs for 50 feet or less.
  • Pushing/Pulling: (during the use of tools and pushing/pulling hand trucks). Push and pull forces required, 70 lbs sustained.
  • Static trunk forward bending and twisting from a standing position while using tools.
  • Reaching with your arms in all directions, including overhead.
  • Balancing when climbing and working on a ladder or scaffold.
  • Walking various distances throughout the day on even and uneven surfaces.
  • Crawling on hands and knees, up to 15 feet.
  • Use of various grip circumferences and strengths as well as static grip positions during the use of various tools (4 1/2" to 5 1/2" circumference needing an average of 50 lbs of grip force) and while manipulating various work materials (maximum 65 lbs).
  • Work in high-temperature environments
  • Work safely in a high noise environment
  • Work while wearing PPE including respirators

Physical Screen will be administered prior to a final offer of employment.

Additional Information

Bargaining Unit: Operating Engineers Local 400

Work Schedule: Full-time, 1.0 FTE, Alternate work schedule: Rotating 12hr DuPont Shift, 12 months/year

Probationary Period: Six (6) months minimum

Benefits Include: Insurance package, mandatory retirement plan, partial tuition waiver, and wellness program.

Screening of applications will begin after the closing date; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

A complete application includes:

  • Letter of Interest – addressing your qualifications and experience related to the stated required skills for the position. A general letter salutation such as “Dear Search Committee” or “Dear Hiring Manager” is acceptable.

  • Detailed Resume – listing education and describing work experience

  • Three (3) Professional References – names and contact information

The University of Montana is interested in receiving applications from people who would assist the University in demonstrating its five priorities for action: Place student success at the center of all we do; drive excellence and innovation in teaching, learning, and research; embody the principle of “mission first, people always"; partner with place; and proudly tell the UM story.

Must be eligible to work in the United States upon hire. Sponsorship is not available for this position.

The Affiliation of the University of Montana (UM Affiliation) is an equal opportunity employer. UM Affiliation does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of protected class status as described in UM’s non-discrimination policy and any applicable law. Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request. Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law.

Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to the offer of employment. In accordance with university regulations, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations.

References: References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant. UM partners with SkillSurvey for reference checking. Applicants may receive emails from SkillSurvey to submit reference information.

Testing: Individual hiring departments within the UM Affiliation may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions.

Employment Eligibility: All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM and all affiliated campuses, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9). The University of Montana will require proof of authorization to work in the United States before final hiring. Due to the September 19, 2025 Presidential Proclamation and related guidance from USCIS and the Department of State, the University may be limited in its ability to offer H-1B sponsorship. At this time, we are unable to sponsor new H-1B visas that require payment of the additional fee introduced by the Proclamation.