Senior Utility Operator, Third Shift

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 115,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

Working at Abbott

At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and family, be your true self and live a full life. You’ll also have access to:

• Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of.
• Employees can qualify for free medical coverage in our Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO medical plan in the next calendar year.
• An excellent retirement savings plan with high employer contribution
• Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program and FreeU education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor’s degree.
• A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries around the world and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.
• A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as a best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists.

The Opportunity

This position works out of our Abbott Park, IL location in the GES Global Engineering Services. This is a third shift opportunity.

As the Senior Utilities Operator, you will maintain all utilities equipment/systems independently under the general supervision of the utilities group leader or utilities manager. Routinely perform and/or directs all patrol and control operator duties of the utility trainee and/or utility operator. Performs both control and patrol operator duties in rotational assignments. Specific tasks performed include all duties of the utility trainee and utility operator.

What You’ll Work On

• Inspect and repairs assigned equipment and assists in major overhauls on boilers refrigeration units, air compressors. etc.
• Spots coal and freight cars/trucks at various unloading stations.
• Operates payloader and coal conveying system on a daily basis.
• Breaks up and removes clinkers from boiler fire boxes and removes coal ashes from the boiler ash hoppers.
• Operates ash conveying system to transfer ash from boilers to storage silos and also from storage silos to trucks for disposal.
• Operates instrument, service, and soot blower air compressors and air-drying equipment.
• Inspects and services remotely located lake water pumping station and/or wells.
• Operates pumps, fans, dehumidifiers, valves, and screens and observes alarms.
• Operates sanitary effluent sample stations and obtains samples for Corporate Environmental Control and North Shore Sanitary District.
• Mixes and/or transfers various water treatment chemicals for boilers. deaerating tanks. and softeners.
• Inspects and makes adjustments to distilled and demineralized water facilities. nitrogen supply, storage, and distribution systems. carbon dioxide system. etc., assure proper levels pressures flows, temperatures, and alarm set points.
• Assures such systems operate in accordance with safety and quality assurance requirements.
• Collects samples as required.
• Inspects electrical distribution centers and machine rooms for fire, flooding, or other abnormal conditions.
• Corrects and/or reports malfunctions or potential problems.
• Performs maintenance checks on departmental trucks, carts, and other vehicles.
• Obtains and records daily, weekly, and monthly meter readings for steam, electricity, chilled water, etc.
• Enters operational data on unit or system log sheets and charts.
• Maintains recording devices.
• Maintains good safety and housekeeping practices in assigned area.
• Performs other miscellaneous duties as assigned.
• Lights off and maintains proper combustion in firing boilers on coal, fuel gas, or fuel oil under various steam load conditions.
• Controls operation of boiler induced draft turbines to maintain proper boiler draft and adjusts feeds and speeds to provide complete combustion and optimum efficiency.
• Maintains proper water level in all boilers to prevent carryover, overheating, or damage of boiler tubes.
• Inspects and maintains proper oil levels, pressures, and temperature on boiler feedwater pumps.
• Manipulates deionizers, pumps, and steam pressure reducing stations to maintain proper feedwater storage level and temperature.
• Verifies stack emission indicating and recording equipment operation by obtaining and analyzing stack gases.
• Makes necessary fuel/air mixture adjustments and operates soot blowing equipment to remove excess ash to prevent excessive emissions.
• Inspects, operates, and maintains low and high-pressure air compressors, air dryers, emergency generators, refrigeration absorbers and compression units, potable water treatment systems, fire protection supplies and engines/pumps, demineralizers and decarbonates, and related utilities equipment/systems.
• Assures such systems operate in accordance with safety and quality assurance requirements.
• Obtains samples and conducts analyses on boiler condensate, potable and service water, and makes adjustments, as necessary.
• Maintains proper pH and conductivity levels in deionized water systems.
• Monitors and controls the generation of HVAC units, hot water heating convertors and systems, cold room refrigeration units, and other miscellaneous equipment via building automation control computers on a routine basis after normal working hours.
• Serves as the primary contact for afterhours emergencies and contacts appropriate on or off-site personnel to facilitate repairs. May assist in such repairs.
• Informs senior personnel of equipment system malfunctions or irregularities and performs repairs or other operations as dictated by the situation, or as directed.
• Relays operational information and temporary instructions to oncoming shift personnel.
• Additionally, the senior utility operator: Trains and supervises the activities of utility trainees and/or utility operators. Assumes leadership role in responding to utilities emergencies.

Required Qualifications

• Education: High School Diploma
• Must satisfy, all requirements for utility trainee and utility operator positions with at least one year of experience as a utility operator.
• Must demonstrate a broad knowledge of utilities systems and ability to train less experienced personnel.
• Must show ability to react quickly and properly to emergencies (such as loss of steam air, refrigeration, potable water, chilled water, etc.).
• Must have at least six months on-the-job training in conducting safety and quality assurance tests/inspections on utilities streams.  

Preferred Qualifications

• Great Customer Service Skills
• 2+ years of experience in relevant field

Learn more about our health and wellness benefits, which provide the security to help you and your family live full lives: 

Follow your career aspirations to Abbott for diverse opportunities with a company that can help you build your future and live your best life. Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to employee diversity.

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The base pay for this position is $22.50 – $45.00 per hour. In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.