Central Utility Plant Operator (Manufacturing)

Exciting Opportunity: Central Utility Plant Operator
Ignite Your FutureWhere Power, Precision, and Expertise Sustain the Heart of our Community!
Are you driven by the challenge of keeping essential systems running 24/7? Do you find satisfaction in technical mastery, teamwork, and safeguarding operations that countless people rely on each day? LB&B Associates, Inc. is seeking a passionate and skilled Central Utility Plant Operator to join our elite facilities operations team. Step into a crucial role where your expertise powers cities, campuses, and innovation itselfwhere your growth is championed, your contributions are recognized, and your technical career can soar to new heights!
Why LB&B Associates, Inc.?
Imagine working alongside over 1,000 dedicated professionals, united by a mission to deliver excellence, reliability, and continual improvement across critical infrastructure nationwide. LB&B Associates, Inc. has a proud reputation for surpassing client expectationsserving city agencies, major corporations, and leading institutions. Our employees are our greatest asset, fueling progress through collaboration, integrity, and a relentless drive for quality.
As we expand our infrastructure services, we are actively looking for operators excited to support and maintain the central utility plants that provide steam, chilled water, and power to vital facilities. Here, your knowledge will be respected, your voice will be heard, and your impact will be celebrated at every step.
About the Role
Position: Central Utility Plant Operator
Location: Manhattan, Kansas
Employment Type: Full-Time
Are you ready to elevate your career in a technically advanced environment where your work literally keeps the lights on, the buildings warm, and innovation thriving? As a Central Utility Plant Operator with LB&B Associates, Inc., youll ensure the safe, efficient, and compliant operation of our powerhouse utility infrastructure, working shoulder-to-shoulder with expert engineers, trades, and technicians. Your vigilance and skill will guarantee the reliable supply of energy and comfort to our clients and communities.
What Youll Do
Every shift brings new challenges, dynamic technical tasks, and chances to grow. Your core responsibilities will include:
Operate, monitor, and maintain central utility plant systems, including boilers, chillers, cooling towers, pumps, compressors, and auxiliary equipment.
Use advanced Building Automation Systems (BAS), SCADA, and computerized control panels to track system performance, respond to alarms, and quickly address abnormal conditions.
Perform routine and preventive maintenance on mechanical and electrical plant components to maximize uptime, enhance efficiency, and extend equipment life.
Diagnose and troubleshoot equipment malfunctions, pressure/temperature fluctuations, and system anomaliesimplementing solutions that restore full and safe operations.
Coordinate system startups, shutdowns, and equipment isolations for maintenance or emergencies, following stringent safety protocols and standard operating procedures.
Collect and interpret data on energy production/consumption, water chemistry, system pressures, and equipment status to optimize operations and support regulatory compliance.
Document all activities with meticulous records and logs of plant operations, maintenance, outages, and incidents, meeting company policies and industry standards.
Collaborate closely with your team, engineers, utility partners, and management to maximize reliability, share technical expertise, and solve operational challenges together.
Conduct regular inspections and rounds throughout the plantverifying equipment condition, monitoring environmental factors, and ensuring readiness.
Engage in safety meetings, emergency drills, and ongoing technical training to remain current on best practices, industry technology, and evolving regulations.
Assist in managing inventory of critical spares, tools, and safety gear to support uninterrupted and safe system operation.
Respond rapidly and professionally to plant alarms, emergencies, or abnormal eventsprioritizing safety, clear communication, and fast restoration of services.
Adhere rigorously to all safety protocols, use of PPE, Lockout/Tagout, and relevant codes and regulationsyour commitment keeps people and infrastructure safe.
Deliver excellent customer service to clients, regulators, and the public, proudly representing LB&B Associates, Inc. every day.
What Were Looking For
Do you bring a strong technical background, a passion for operational excellence, and a drive to learn and lead? Were searching for candidates who offer:
Required: Valid state or industry certification as a Stationary Engineer, Boiler Operator, or Central Plant Operator (Class I, II, or III preferred, as required by facility).
Required: Minimum 3 years experience operating, maintaining, or troubleshooting complex central utility plant systems or large commercial/industrial HVAC, boiler, or chiller equipment.
Comprehensive understanding of steam generation, chilled water production, HVAC systems, water treatment, and safe mechanical/electrical plant operation.
Proficiency with automated control systems (BAS, SCADA), electronic monitoring tools, and high/low-pressure plant equipment.
Strong troubleshooting abilities and resourcefulness to resolve complex plant or system issuesoften independently or under time pressure.
Ability to read and interpret P&IDs, technical manuals, blueprints, and plant schematics.
Excellent communication skills for documenting events, sharing technical information, and working collaboratively with the team and external partners.
Comfort with basic computer applications for reporting and recordkeeping.
Meticulous attention to detail, superb organization, and steadfast dedication to safety, environmental compliance, and operational discipline.
Physical ability to work in plant environmentsstanding, walking, climbing ladders, lifting up to 50 pounds, and adapting to confined spaces or heights as needed.
Flexibility to work variable shifts (days, nights, weekends, holidays) and respond to emergencies as facility demands require.
A spirit of teamwork, a positive attitude, and a commitment to reliability and continual improvement.
Physical Demands
Able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds as required.
Frequent standing, walking, bending, kneeling, climbing, and reaching during each shift.
Manual dexterity for operating, maintaining, and repairing plant equipment and control systems.
Exposure to noise, heat, cold, high-pressure steam, chemicals, heights, confined spaces, and weatherfull PPE provided.
What We Offer
At LB&B Associates, Inc., we believe your expertise should be recognized and your career should thrive. Youll enjoy:
Comprehensive Benefits: Mandatory life and disability insurance, plus optional medical, dental, and vision plans for you and your family.
Financial Security: 401(k) with employer match to help secure your future.
Professional Growth: Tuition reimbursement, support for additional certifications, and hands-on industry training.
Work-Life Balance: Paid vacation and sick leave to recharge and care for yourself.
Paid Holidays: 11 paid holidays per year, so you can enjoy time with loved ones.
Supportive Culture: A workplace committed to safety, learning, and advancementwhere every voice counts and accomplishments are applauded.
LB&B Associates, Inc. is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, ancestry, ethnicity, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other legally protected status.
We provide reasonable accommodations so individuals with disabilities can perform essential job functions. If you need assistance at any point in the application process, just let us knowwere here to help!
Ready to Power the Heart of Tomorrow?
If youre ready to ensure safe, sustainable, and reliable energy for today and tomorrow, apply to join LB&B Associates, Inc. in Manhattan, KS as a Central Utility Plant Operator. Discover a career where your skills are valued, your growth is championed, and your future is full of possibility.
How to Apply
Applying is simple! Send your resume and a brief cover letter highlighting your experience with central utility plants, your dedication to safety, and your passion for operational excellence. Tell us what excites you about joining our team and how youll help us deliver world-class reliability and innovation.
Dont waitstep into a role that challenges, rewards, and prepares you for long-term success. If you have questions about the Central Utility Plant Operator position or the application process, our recruitment team is here to help. Reach out today and see what makes LB&B Associates, Inc. an exceptional place to build your career.
Join UsWhere Your Expertise Sustains Communities and Inspires Progress! Start your next chapter now. Apply today and help us build a legacy of teamwork, reliability, and technical excellence. Lets shape the future together.