Plant Operating Engineer / Assistant Plant Operating Engineer

Job Description:

Plant Operating Engineer / Assistant Plant Operating Engineer

Description

CAREER DESCRIPTION

PLANT OPERATING ENGINEER / ASSISTANT PLANT OPERATING ENGINEER

SALARY INFORMATION

Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.

THIS RECRUITMENT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
The eligible list established through this recruitment will be used to fill current and future Plant Operating Engineer positions within OC Public Works. This recruitment may also be used to fill positions in lower classifications within the Plant Operating Engineer job series, such as Assistant Plant Operating Engineer.

DEADLINE TO APPLY
This recruitment will close at 11:59PM PST on Monday, December 22, 2025.

OC PUBLIC WORKS

OC Public Works provides services on a regional basis to unincorporated areas, to cities, and to other County agencies and departments. The primary mission of the department is to protect and enrich the community through efficient delivery and maintenance of public works infrastructure, planning, and development services. OC Public Works core values are integrity, accountability, service and trust.

OC Public Works partners with a diverse array of local, state, and federal agencies; special districts and authorities; and the private development community including, construction, planning, and design firms, to accomplish many of the County's infrastructure projects.

Click here for more information about OC Public Works.

Click here for more information about the County of Orange.

THE OPPORTUNITY

OC Public Works is seeking experienced Plant Operating Engineers to work in the Central Utility Facility (CUF) Unit. The Plant Operating Engineer works independently and with the facility team to follow appropriate safety procedures to operate, service, and render repairs to mechanical and electrical equipment in a CUF. Incumbents specialize in the operation, service, and maintenance of a cogeneration system in a micro-grid environment. This includes various mechanical and electrical equipment including HRSG, boilers, diesel and gas engines, diesel and natural gas turbines, cooling towers, boiler feed and condensate systems, water treatment systems, Continuous Emission Monitoring System (CEMS), water softeners (various), and other mechanical auxiliary equipment typical in this type of environment.

This recruitment is a dual recruitment. Applicants will first be assessed and be considered for Plant Operating Engineer positions. Applicants will be considered for Assistant Plant Operating Engineer positions if they do not meet the assessment score threshold for the Plant Operating Engineer classification.

More information about the minimum qualifications for both of these classifications is below. The primary distinction between Plant Operating Engineer and Assistant Plant Operating Engineer positions is that Plant Operating Engineer is the journey-level position in the series and works under general supervision. The Assistant Plant Operating Engineer is the entry-level position within the series, and works under close supervision.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS AND CORE COMPETENCIES

The ideal candidate will possess a steam plant and EPA refrigerant equipment license, have knowledge of chillers, absorbers operations and water chemistry principles. The ideal candidate also possesses experience in Utilities and Public Works trades such as electrical, plumbing, mechanical or welding, as well as Central Utility Facility or Public Works trades experience.

The most successful candidates will also possess the competencies below:

Technical Experience & Knowledge

• Knowledge of high pressure HRSG and boilers, gas turbine engines, electrical generators, steam chilled water, electrical distribution and transfer equipment, transmitters, and auxiliary systems
• Experience using SCADA and PLC systems, computer-based management tracking systems, emission monitoring systems, and energy management systems
• Understanding of Heat Transfer & Combustion Principles
• Operate, maintain, diagnose problems, and repair all equipment associated with the production of electricity, steam, and chilled water, including boiler feed water equipment, water pretreatment equipment, electrical/electronic pneumatic and hydraulic controls systems, air quality control equipment, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems
• Prepare, review, perform quality control, and file operation, maintenance, and data reports and logs, and various other plant documentation
• Functionally utilize typical office type software such as Microsoft Office, Word, and Excel

Communication Skills

• Effectively communicate with managers, supervisors, engineers, craft workers and the public
• Be able to communicate with City, State and Federal Agencies
• Produce clear and concise written documents and records; maintain accurate computer logs

Safety Focus

• Ability to observe safety practices working with high pressure steam and heavy mechanical equipment
• Take a proactive approach to fostering a safe work environment
• Identify, report and correct unsafe working conditions and/or equipment in an efficient and timely manner
• Respond quickly to emergency conditions with boilers and auxiliary equipment
• Understand the Lock Out Tag Out procedures

Problem Solving & Analytical Skills

• Ability to read, write, and interpret blueprint instructions and diagrams
• Analyze and interpret CUF operating parameters
• Analyze situations accurately and take prompt controlling action during facility upset and emergency conditions
• Analyze, interpret, calculate, and adjust as needed electric power input/output, steam and chilled water output, and equipment efficiency
• Ability to apply reasoning and judgment in diagnosing mechanical faults and choosing the best method of repair
• Ability to conduct water analysis accurately and take corrective actions based on results

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Click here to view the complete classification description for Plant Operating Engineer and Assistant Plant Operating Engineer.

Veterans Employment Preference
The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click here to review the policy.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Human Resource Services (HRS) screens all application materials for minimum and/or desirable qualifications. After screening, applicants who meet the minimum and/or desirable qualifications will be referred to the next step in the recruitment process. All applicants will be notified via email of their status in the process.

Application Appraisal Panel | (Refer/Non-Refer): Applications and supplemental responses will be scored by a panel of job knowledge experts. Only those candidates that meet the qualifications as listed in the job bulletin will be referred to the next step. Applicants are encouraged to submit a thorough application and fully respond to the supplemental questions.

Structured Oral Interview (Weighted 100%): Candidates will be interviewed and rated by a qualification appraisal panel of job knowledge experts. Each candidate's rating will be based on responses to a series of structured questions designed to elicit the candidate's qualifications for the job. Only the most successful candidates will be placed on the eligible list.

Based on the Department's needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedure.

Eligible List
Once the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

EMAIL NOTIFICATION:

Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account. Be sure to check your spam folder for misdelivered emails related to this recruitment.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Click here for a list of Frequently Asked Questions.

For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, contact Zachary Gutierrez at 714-667-1623 or Zachary.Gutierrez@ocpw.ocgov.com.

EEO INFORMATION

Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Non-Management Benefits
In addition to the County's standard suite of benefits, such as a variety of health plan options, annual leave and paid holidays--we also offer an excellent array of benefits such as a Health Care Reimbursement Account, 457 Defined Contribution Plan and Annual Education and Professional Reimbursement. Employees are provided a Retirement Plan through the Orange County Employees Retirement System (OCERS).

Please go to the following link to find out more about Defined Benefit Pensions and OCERS Plan Types/Benefits.
http://www.ocers.org/active-member-information

Click here for information about benefits offered to County of Orange employees.

Closing Date/Time: 12/22/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$106,017.60 - $121,388.80 Annually