Job Description

Overview

The Plant Operator position at Northwestern University involves operating and maintaining high-pressure steam boilers and auxiliaries in a safe and efficient manner under the supervision of the shift operating engineer. The role emphasizes inclusiveness, respect, initiative, collaboration, innovation, and accountability while providing excellent service and adhering to safety procedures.

Responsibilities

  • Operate boilers and accompanying ancillary equipment as instructed, maintaining proper steam pressure and water levels.
  • Maintain neat and accurate operating and maintenance log entries as required.
  • Perform daily water treatment tests on boilers/closed loops, maintaining proper chemical levels.
  • Be willing to work shift vacancies caused by vacations or openings.
  • Be willing to work shift maintenance when scheduled or required.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

  • Minimum of a high school diploma and two years of experience with high-pressure steam boiler operation.
  • Good understanding of the steam cycle and familiarity with boiler components and auxiliary equipment.
  • Mechanical aptitude and proven ability to maintain operating standards.
  • Knowledge of occupational hazards and recurring safety precautions.
  • Must be a member of Operating Engineers Local 399 or join after satisfactory completion of a 90-day probationary period.
  • Must be able to work rotating shifts and holidays.

Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Disability Insurance
  • Life Insurance
  • PTO
  • Tuition Benefits
  • Retirement Savings Options
  • Wellness Programs

Additional Information

  • Position is part of a collective bargaining unit.
  • Pay for this position will be $44.06 per hour.

Benefits

Health Insurance
Dental
Vision
Disability Insurance
Life Insurance
PTO
Tuition Benefits
Retirement Savings Options
Wellness Programs

How this job compares in Evanston, IL

Pay in context

At roughly $44/hr, this posting sits about 42% above the $31/hr median for welding jobs across Illinois — toward the top of a $25–$38/hr middle band drawn from 252 postings with published pay. Put another way, it pays more than about 85% of the comparable postings we have wage data for. Pay that far above local median usually comes attached to something: a harder cert requirement, travel, night shift, or overtime that isn't really optional. Worth establishing which before you accept.

The local market in Evanston, IL

Evanston, IL is a small market in our index: 2 other active welding openings alongside this one, from 2 employers. Across Illinois as a whole we're tracking 367 other active welding openings from 265 employers. With this few local postings, most welders here end up either commuting or looking at travel work. Browse welding jobs across Illinois.

The most active employers in Illinois at the moment, by number of open welding reqs, are S&C Electric Company (18), Gerber Collision & Glass (8), and Aerotek (7). Volume like that usually means either a genuine expansion or a staffing agency working several client sites — worth knowing which before you apply.

Within Illinois, the best-paying metros we track by median hourly rate are Chicago at $36/hr, Itasca at $36/hr, and Melrose Park at $34/hr. If you can relocate or commute, that spread is worth factoring in.

Similar openings near Evanston, IL

Pay figures are medians computed from live postings in the Welding Pros index, not from survey data, and they move as employers post. Plant Operator (Rotating Shift) figures were last recalculated when this page was built.