Company Overview
[$COMPANY_OVERVIEW]
Role Overview
[$COMPANY_NAME] is seeking an experienced Senior Boiler Operator to lead safe, reliable, and efficient operation of high-capacity steam and thermal systems at our facility in [$COMPANY_LOCATION]. In this role you will be accountable for supervising boilerhouse operations, optimizing combustion and heat-recovery systems, ensuring regulatory compliance with ASME/NFPA/OSHA/EPA standards, and driving continuous reliability improvements across distributed plant assets. This is a hands-on senior operations position that combines advanced technical troubleshooting, shift leadership, and mentorship of junior operators to achieve predictable, zero-incident steam generation.
Responsibilities
- Lead and execute day-to-day operation of watertube and/or firetube boilers, economizers, deaerators, steam headers, and condensate return systems to meet steam demand and energy-efficiency targets.
- Operate and tune burners, forced- and induced-draft fans, feedwater pumps, blowdown systems, and combustion controls to maintain optimal excess O2, CO, draft, and flame stability parameters.
- Manage Distributed Control Systems (DCS), PLC interfaces, and burner management systems (BMS); implement control setpoint changes, logic updates, and alarm rationalization in coordination with controls engineers.
- Perform advanced troubleshooting of thermal systems and auxiliaries using instrumentation data, combustion analyzers, flue gas analysis, vibration data, and trending tools to root-cause faults and minimize unplanned downtime.
- Ensure full compliance with ASME boiler code, NFPA 85/86 (where applicable), local boiler operator licensing rules, and environmental permits (NOx, SOx, particulate controls). Prepare and maintain shift logs, safety checklists, and operational records for audits and incident reviews.
- Supervise and mentor boiler operators and technicians: lead shift huddles, conduct competency assessments, deliver on-the-job training for start-up/shutdown procedures, lockout/tagout (LOTO), confined space entry, and emergency response drills.
- Drive preventive and predictive maintenance strategies: coordinate with reliability, maintenance, and instrumentation teams to schedule inspections, implement flange/gasket management, water chemistry control, tube cleaning, and NDE inspections to extend asset life.
- Plan and execute safe start-ups, shutdowns, and switching operations for planned outages; develop and review written procedures and operator checklists; participate in pre-turnaround planning.
- Lead incident investigations and near-miss reviews; draft corrective action plans and track closure to improve safety and operational KPIs (availability, heat rate, fuel efficiency, emissions).
Required and Preferred Qualifications
Required:
- Minimum 7+ years of hands-on boiler operation experience in industrial, utility, or large commercial steam plants; 3+ years in a lead/operator-in-charge capacity preferred.
- Active and verifiable boiler operator license or certification as required by [$COMPANY_LOCATION] jurisdiction (e.g., Third Class/Stationary Engineer or equivalent).
- Deep knowledge of boiler combustion principles, steam/water chemistry, feedwater treatment, blowdown control, and heat-transfer fundamentals.
- Proven experience with burner management systems (BMS), DCS or PLC-based control systems, and industrial instrumentation (pressure, level, flow, thermocouples, oxygen analyzers).
- Strong understanding of ASME boiler code, NFPA standards, OSHA regulations, and environmental permit compliance relevant to boiler operations.
- Ability to interpret P&IDs, mechanical drawings, safety data sheets (SDS), and maintenance work orders; proficient with CMMS systems for work planning and closure.
- Available to work rotating shifts, nights, weekends, and respond to on-call emergencies as required onsite at [$COMPANY_LOCATION].
Preferred:
- Certification in combustion tuning, CEMS (Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems) operation, or HVAC/Mechanical trades.
- Experience with economizers, SCR/FF/ESP emission control systems, and boiler water treatment programs (ph control, conductivity, oxygen scavengers).
- Hands-on experience with reliability tools: vibration analysis, infrared thermography, predictive analytics, and condition-based maintenance programs.
- Experience leading outage turnarounds, coordination with contractors, and working within large EHS management systems (ISO 45001/ISO 14001).
- Familiarity with fuel handling systems (natural gas, fuel oil, biomass) and dual-fuel operations.
Technical Skills and Relevant Technologies
- Proficiency with burner controllers, flame scanners, combustion analyzers, and oxygen trim systems.
- Experience operating and troubleshooting DCS (e.g., Honeywell, Yokogawa, Emerson DeltaV, Siemens PCS7) and PLC platforms (Siemens, Allen-Bradley).
- Operational knowledge of BMS safety interlocks, trip logic, and emergency shutdown procedures.
- Working knowledge of CMMS (e.g., Maximo, SAP PM, eMaint), asset tagging, and maintenance backlog management.
- Use of industrial instrumentation and diagnostics: pressure/level/flow transmitters, thermocouples, condensate polishing systems, and corrosion monitoring.
- Familiarity with emissions monitoring equipment (CEMS), environmental reporting, and combustion efficiency analysis tools.
Soft Skills and Cultural Fit
- Demonstrated leadership in high-consequence environments: ability to make clear decisions under pressure and lead multidisciplinary response teams.
- Effective communicator: concise shift handovers, clear written procedures, and the ability to translate technical issues for operations, maintenance, and management stakeholders.
- Coaching mindset: track record mentoring junior operators and building competency matrices for operational roles.
- Detail-oriented with a disciplined approach to logs, permits, and compliance documentation.
- Continuous improvement mindset: experience running Kaizen/5S initiatives, root cause analyses (5-Why, RCA), and implementing cost-effective reliability improvements.
- Commitment to safety culture: proactive hazard recognition, near-miss reporting, and participation in behavior-based safety programs.
Benefits and Perks
Salary range: [$SALARY_RANGE]
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance and HSA/FSA options.
- Generous retirement plan with company match and financial planning resources.
- Paid time off, paid holidays, and shift differential for nights/weekends.
- Training and certification reimbursement, including support for boiler operator license renewals and technical certifications.
- Overtime eligibility and on-call compensation; opportunities for shift premium and performance-based bonuses.
- Employee assistance programs, wellness benefits, and on-site amenities where available.
Equal Opportunity Statement
[$COMPANY_NAME] is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law. We actively encourage applications from candidates of diverse backgrounds and identities.
Location
This position is onsite at [$COMPANY_LOCATION]. The Senior Boiler Operator will be expected to work rotating shifts and be available for emergency response and scheduled outages at the facility.
Application Instructions
We encourage applicants who meet most but not all of the qualifications to apply. If you are excited about this role and bring strong operational experience, a safety-first mindset, and the willingness to learn and grow into senior responsibilities, please submit your resume and a brief cover letter outlining your relevant boiler experience and certification status.