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Stationary Engineers & Boiler Operators

Also called: Boiler Operator, Stationary Engineer, Operating Engineer, Plant Utilities Engineer

Where in the Navy? In the Navy: Auxiliary Systems Technician; Aviation Boatswain's Mate, Launching and Recovery Equipment; CG 47 Gas Turbine Mechanical Maintenance Technician; DDG 51 Gas Turbine Electrical Maintenance Technician; DDG-M Gas Turbine Mechanical Maintenance Technician; Electronic Automatic Boiler Controls Console Operator; FFG-7 Gas Turbine Electrical Maintenance Technician; Fireman; LCAC Craft Engineer/Assistant Operator; Machinist's Mate Weapons; Machinist's Mate/Nuclear

What they do:
Operate or maintain stationary engines, boilers, or other mechanical equipment to provide utilities for buildings or industrial processes. Operate equipment, such as steam engines, generators, motors, turbines, and steam boilers.
On the job, you would:
  • Operate or tend stationary engines, boilers, and auxiliary equipment such as pumps, compressors, and air-conditioning equipment, to supply and maintain steam or heat for buildings, marine vessels, or pneumatic tools.
  • Observe and interpret readings on gauges, meters, and charts registering various aspects of boiler operation to ensure that boilers are operating properly.
  • Test boiler water quality or arrange for testing and take necessary corrective action, such as adding chemicals to prevent corrosion and harmful deposits.

Knowledge

Engineering and Technology
  • mechanical
  • product and service development
Business
  • management
Safety and Government
  • public safety and security
Math and Science
  • physics

Skills

Basic Skills
  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • talking to others
Problem Solving
  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Abilities

Verbal
  • communicate by speaking
  • listen and understand what people say
Hand and Finger Use
  • hold or move items with your hands
  • keep your arm or hand steady
Ideas and Logic
  • notice when problems happen
  • make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Integrity
  • Dependability
  • Independence
  • Attention to Detail
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Self Control

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Spreadsheet software
  • Microsoft Excel
Facilities management software
  • Building management system software
  • Computerized maintenance management system CMMS software
Word processing software
  • Microsoft Word

Education

Education: (rated 3 of 5)
high school diploma or
some college
usually needed

Get started on your career:

Find Training Find Certifications Registered Apprenticeship Eligible for the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program

Job Outlook

Below Average Outlook
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
Salary
$53,560
per year, on average
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Green
This work is part of the green economy.

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See more details at O*NET OnLine about stationary engineers and boiler operators.