Introduction

Winnebago Mental Health Institute (WMHI), located near Oshkosh WI, is hiring a Power Plant Operator - Senior to work a second shift rotation including every other weekend. WMHI is a part of the Department of Health Services (DHS), Division of Care and Treatment Services (DCTS) and is a psychiatric hospital providing quality mental health services to children, adolescents, and adults.

As an employee of the State of Wisconsin, you'll also have access to an amazing benefits package , including:

• 3.5 weeks of vacation, 9 paid holidays and ample sick time; limitations may apply for leave time usage in the first six months.
• Top rated health plan options starting at $42/month for single plans and $104/month for family plans, after 2 months of state service.
• Exceptional pension plan with a 6.95% employer match in 2025 with lifetime retirement payment. Plus, a tax advantaged supplemental retirement savings plan which allows you to save money directly from your paycheck for retirement. Use this Total Rewards Calculator to see the total value of our competitive benefits package!
• Several flex spending accounts: medical, dependent care, commuter, parking and High Deductible Health Savings.
• Well Wisconsin Wellness Program.
• A free and confidential employee assistance program that offers employees and their immediate family dependents a variety of tools, resources, and professional consultation services to support their health, goals, and overall well-being.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program employer.

Position Summary

As a Power Plant Operator - Senior you will be responsible for the following duties:

• Operating a complex power plant that utilizes natural gas and fuel oil as sources for the boilers.
• Operating all auxiliary equipment in the heating plant including two diesel-driven emergency generators.
• Functioning as a boiler operator when scheduled on a shift.
• Functioning in a limited maintenance capacity performing power plant maintenance as well as responding to afterhours maintenance requests from the patient buildings throughout WMHI and Wisconsin Resource Center (WRC).

Salary Information

The starting pay is $27.09 per hour, plus excellent benefits. A 12-month probationary period is required.

An $.80 /hour night differential and an $.80 /hour weekend differential applies to hours worked.

Pay for current or former state employees will be set based on the rules that apply to compensation for the applicable transaction. This position is in pay schedule and range 03/15.

Job Details

• All applicants who may be appointed to this position will be required to allow DHS to conduct a background check to determine whether the circumstances of any conviction may be related to the job being filled.
• All appointees will be required to complete a pre-employment health assessment including a TB screen prior to their start date.
• DHS does not sponsor work visas for this position, thus, in compliance with federal law, selected candidates will be required to verify eligibility to work in the United States by completing the required I-9 form upon hire.
• This position has physical requirements which may include but are not limited to lifting and carrying up to 50 lbs., standing for long periods of time, walking up and down stairs frequently, climbing ladders, crawling, stooping, twisting, crouching, and kneeling. Applicants may be required to pass a physical evaluation to assess these requirements.
• This position requires the ability to work in an environment that may include hot and humid temperatures, cold conditions and confined spaces.
• This position requires the ability to drive a State vehicle.
  • In order to become authorized to drive a State vehicle, you must meet the requirements for the State of Wisconsin Fleet Vehicle policy, which are:
    • Must have a valid driver's license;
    • Must have minimum of two years licensed driving experience;
    • Must be 18 years of age.
  • Additionally, your driving record MUST NOT reflect any of the following conditions:
    • Three or more moving violations and/or at-fault accidents in the past two years;
    • Operating While Intoxicated (OWI)/Driving Under the Influence (DUI) citation within the past 12 months;
    • Suspension or revocation of driver's license.

Qualifications

Minimally qualified applicants will have all of the following:

• Experience performing general maintenance and repairs utilizing basic power tools, hand tools, or motorized equipment (e.g., plumbing, unclogging toilets, resetting electrical breakers, lubricating door locks, inspecting walk-in coolers for temperature issues. etc.).
• Experience operating high pressure boilers and their control systems (e.g., bringing boilers online and offline, completing routine inspections, water treatment and testing, maintaining logs, making adjustments to computer systems and mechanical hardware, etc.).
• Experience operating snow removal and lawn equipment (e.g., trucks, snowblowers, tractors, mowers, etc.).
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license and meet the requirements of the State of Wisconsin Fleet Vehicle Policy described above to drive a state vehicle.

Well-qualified applicants will also have one or more of the following:

• Licensed boiler operator with a minimum of one (1) year experience working with high pressure boiler systems.
• Experience with lock out/tag out safety procedures and using Standard Operating procedures related to power plant environments and equipment.
• Experience using diesel-driven generators for emergency power.
• Experience operating electrical switch gear for emergency power.

For a guide on developing your resume and what should be included, click here .

How To Apply

Applying is easy! Click "Apply for Job" to start your application process. Sign into your account or create an account before applying for the job. Follow the steps outlined in the application process to submit your application.

Helpful Information:

• Once your application is submitted, no changes are allowed. Click "Save" to allow changes to your application as needed before submitting by the deadline.
• You may want to save a copy of the job posting for referencing after the deadline.
• Submitted materials will be evaluated by a panel of job experts according to the qualifications above.
• Please monitor your email for communications related to this position.
• Current or former permanent, classified, state employees must complete the online application process to be considered.
• If viewing through an external site, please apply directly at Wisc.Jobs .
• For technical assistance and general information, please see Frequently Asked Questions . For questions about the position, to request a copy of the full position description, or for other employment inquiries, please contact Allyvia Vang at allyviam.vang@dhs.wisconsin.gov .

DHS is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. Veterans are encouraged to apply. For complete information on Veterans' hiring programs with the WI Department of Veteran's Affairs, click here .

You will be required to attach your current resume in a Word or PDF compatible format.

Deadline to Apply

The deadline to apply is 07/31/25 by 11:59 pm. Applicants are strongly encouraged to allow ample time to finalize their applications keeping in mind that technical assistance is only available Monday through Friday 7:45 am - 4:30 pm. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.