Company: Artisan chefs MFGCO   Location: Lawrence MA  

SECOND CLASS FIREMAN / BOILER OPERATOR

Department: Maintenance / Utilities
Position: Second Class Fireman / Boiler Operator
Shift: second and 3rd 
Reports To: Maintenance Director / Chief Engineer / Engineer-in-Charge
Employment Type: Full-Time

POSITION SUMMARY

The Second Class Fireman / Boiler Operator is responsible for the safe and efficient operation, monitoring, and routine maintenance of the facility's steam boiler systems and associated boiler-room equipment.

The operator will monitor boiler operating conditions, water levels, steam pressure, fuel systems, pumps, water-treatment systems, and other auxiliary equipment while maintaining a safe and compliant boiler room environment.

This position operates under the direction and supervision of the Engineer or Fireman in direct charge, in accordance with applicable Massachusetts laws, regulations, company procedures, and established safety practices.

LICENSE REQUIREMENT

The employee must possess, or be eligible to obtain and maintain, a Massachusetts Second Class Fireman License as required for the position.

Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 146, Section 49, a Second Class Fireman is authorized to operate boilers under the engineer or fireman in direct charge. Massachusetts also requires individuals operating applicable boilers to hold the appropriate license.

The employee must:

• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Maintain a valid Massachusetts Second Class Fireman License.
• Successfully complete any required Massachusetts examination and licensing requirements.
• Maintain required continuing education for license renewal.
• Follow all Massachusetts Boiler & Pressure Vessel regulations and company requirements.

Massachusetts fireman licenses are renewed every five years, with 30 hours of continuing education required for renewal.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Boiler Operations

• Operate and monitor high-pressure steam boilers safely and efficiently.
• Monitor boiler steam pressure, temperature, water level, fuel consumption, and operating conditions.
• Monitor boiler feedwater pumps, condensate return systems, deaerators, water-treatment equipment, and related auxiliary equipment.
• Maintain proper boiler water levels and operating pressures.
• Monitor burner operation and fuel systems.
• Perform routine boiler-room inspections and identify abnormal operating conditions.
• Start, stop, and operate boiler equipment according to established procedures and direction from the Engineer-in-Charge.
• Respond appropriately to boiler alarms, trips, and abnormal conditions.
• Maintain safe operating conditions at all times.

Boiler Room Safety

• Perform required boiler-room rounds throughout the shift.
• Immediately report unsafe conditions, equipment failures, leaks, unusual noises, pressure abnormalities, or other problems.
• Understand and respond to boiler emergency conditions.
• Follow established emergency shutdown procedures.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe boiler room.
• Ensure boiler-room access and emergency equipment remain unobstructed.
• Follow company Lockout/Tagout, confined-space, hot-work, PPE, and other applicable safety procedures.

Documentation and Compliance

• Maintain accurate boiler operating records and shift logs.
• Make required entries in the Massachusetts Operator's Log Book.
• Record boiler pressure, water level, operating conditions, alarms, maintenance issues, and other required information.
• Report equipment problems and abnormal operating conditions to the Engineer-in-Charge and Maintenance Management.
• Follow Massachusetts Boiler & Pressure Vessel requirements and applicable company procedures.
• Assist with inspections, testing, maintenance, and regulatory compliance activities.

Massachusetts regulations require boiler operators to sign the Operator's Log Book when assuming responsibility as the licensed operator and to make the necessary entries during the shift.

Preventive Maintenance

• Perform routine inspections of boilers and auxiliary equipment.
• Assist maintenance personnel with preventive maintenance activities.
• Inspect pumps, valves, burners, gauges, controls, piping, and related equipment.
• Identify worn, damaged, or malfunctioning components.
• Submit maintenance requests for equipment requiring repair.
• Assist qualified maintenance personnel and outside contractors during boiler maintenance and inspections.

Water Treatment

• Monitor boiler water chemistry according to established procedures.
• Perform routine water testing as required.
• Monitor chemical treatment systems.
• Maintain proper water-treatment levels and report abnormal results.
• Assist with blowdown procedures and maintain proper boiler-water conditions.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Valid Massachusetts Second Class Fireman License, or ability to obtain the license within the required timeframe.
• Minimum age of 18.
• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Previous boiler-room, steam plant, utilities, industrial maintenance, or mechanical experience preferred.
• Basic understanding of steam boilers and boiler-room equipment.
• Ability to read gauges, meters, alarms, and operating controls.
• Ability to perform required documentation and maintain accurate operating logs.
• Ability to work independently during assigned shifts while remaining under the direction of the Engineer-in-Charge.
• Ability to respond to emergency situations calmly and appropriately.

Preferred Experience

• Food manufacturing or industrial manufacturing experience.
• Experience with high-pressure steam boilers.
• Experience with natural gas or oil-fired burners.
• Experience with boiler water-treatment systems.
• Experience with pumps, motors, valves, steam traps, condensate systems, and related mechanical equipment.
• Basic electrical and mechanical troubleshooting skills.
• Experience with computerized boiler controls and monitoring systems.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The employee must be able to:

• Stand and walk for extended periods.
• Climb stairs and ladders.
• Work in hot, humid, noisy, and industrial environments.
• Lift and carry materials and tools as required.
• Perform inspections in confined and restricted-access areas when properly authorized and trained.
• Wear required personal protective equipment.
• Respond quickly to emergency conditions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position is primarily located in an industrial boiler room and manufacturing facility. The employee may be exposed to:

• High temperatures.
• Steam and hot surfaces.
• Industrial noise.
• Fuel gases.
• Chemicals associated with boiler water treatment.
• Moving mechanical equipment.
• Electrical equipment.
• Wet or slippery surfaces.

All work must be performed in accordance with company safety policies, OSHA requirements, Massachusetts regulations, and applicable boiler safety standards.

RESPONSIBILITY AND AUTHORITY

The Second Class Fireman / Boiler Operator is responsible for the proper operation and monitoring of assigned boiler equipment during the employee's scheduled shift.

The operator does not replace or supersede the Engineer-in-Charge or Fireman-in-Charge and must immediately communicate significant equipment problems, unsafe conditions, emergencies, or operating abnormalities to the person in direct charge.

Massachusetts law provides that a Second Class Fireman operates boilers under the engineer or fireman in direct charge.

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

Successful performance in this position requires:

• Safety-first decision making.
• Consistent boiler monitoring.
• Accurate and complete operating logs.
• Compliance with Massachusetts licensing requirements.
• Proper response to alarms and emergency situations.
• Preventive identification of equipment problems.
• Effective communication with Maintenance, Engineering, Production, and Management.
• Reliable attendance and shift coverage.
• Professional conduct and adherence to company policies.

DISCLAIMER

This job description is intended to describe the general duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and requirements of the position. It is not intended to replace or modify any requirement established by Massachusetts law, the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services, the Boiler & Pressure Vessel Program, or other applicable regulatory authorities.

Instructions to Apply:

email to Lalmeida@artisanmfgco.com
or call 603-688-6214